A Chic Urban Haven at The Mark Hotel in New York

Swank and warm, The Mark Hotel — housed in a 1927 Renaissance Revival-style building that overlooks Madison Avenue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side — is an oasis of calm in the hustle and bustle of New York. This 5-star luxury property hotel has service to match, but it doesn’t feel at all stuffy. The staff was engagingly warm, welcoming and gracious throughout our stay. Here’s what we loved about The Mark for families.

Family-Friendly Review of The Mark Hotel

Location

Just two blocks from the subway and near uptown, downtown and crosstown bus stops, The Mark’s location worked well for our family. It is only a block from Central Park and a nice playground, and walking distance to several other nearby playgrounds in the park as well as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Frick Museum.

Accommodations

Polished, Art Deco-inspired rooms have free WIFI, custom furniture and marble bathrooms with mirrored flat-screen TVs. Suites include extra living space. Some rooms and suites also come with granite bars and kitchens with designer appliances.

Our 77 King room was quite ample, especially by New York standards. Junior Suites can accommodate families, and there are several configurations for connecting rooms. Bathrooms are large and well stocked; many junior suites and larger units have 2 bathrooms. The hotel is also pet-friendly, but we never heard a bark from inside a room or detected any doggie odor.

Dining

The elegant Mark Restaurant, run by the famous chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, is surprisingly family-friendly and very accommodating to smaller guests. We saw quite a number of children of various nationalities gathered at tables. In the evening, the feel is more elegant and upscale; the bar area is very active, but well insulated from the rest of the hotel. In-room dining is extensive, with several kid-friendly options.

Amenities

Amenities at The Mark include a fitness center, a salon, picnic baskets, personal shoppers, shoeshine service and loaner bikes. Complimentary strollers are available, and little ones receive a selection of kids’ amenities, as well as snacks to welcome young travelers. There are adult-size bikes, perfect for accessing the bike path in Central Park, and prepared picnic lunches available as well.

The hotel also offers “The Mark’s Slumber Party” (suites only), in which guests receive a small tent set up for tiny guests, an in-room family movie, chocolate milk and cookies, and breakfast each day of your stay. A toy sailboat is on hand for use at the Conservatory Water Boat Pond in Central Park. On snowy days, families can try out The Mark’s sled on nearby Cedar Hill.

Relevant Links:

Browse all family accommodations and activities in New York City on Ciao Bambino

Best kid-friendly restaurants in New York City

10 insider spots in New York City with kids

Why choose the New York CityPASS for a vacation with kids

EmptyMet: A unique way to see New York’s Metropolitan Museum without the crowds

Editor’s Note: Barbara received a media package to review The Mark Hotel for families. As always, our opinions are our own on Ciao Bambino. Photos by The Mark Hotel.