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If you needed another excuse to book a sky-high staycation, here it is: one of New York City’s most recognizable luxury hotels has just landed among the best in the country for 2026.
U.S. News & World Report unveiled its annual Best Hotels rankings this week, spotlighting more than 31,000 properties across 400-plus destinations worldwide. While Hawaii’s Four Seasons Resort Hualalai claimed the top U.S. spot for the second year running, New York made a strong showing thanks to Mandarin Oriental, New York, which earned a coveted place in the national top five.
Perched above Columbus Circle, the five-star hotel has long been a magnet for travelers chasing skyline views and serious spa time. The rankings, now in their 16th year, combine hotel star ratings, expert travel reviews and guest satisfaction data to determine which properties stand out from the pack.
What keeps the MO in the conversation year after year? For starters, location. Sitting at the southern edge of Central Park inside the Deutsche Bank Center, the hotel sits nearly 300 feet above street level, offering panoramic views of both the park and the Hudson River. Guests arrive via a dramatic 35th-floor lobby and the property’s 244 rooms and suites are designed to maximize those outrageous views.
A sprawling 14,500-square-foot spa features treatments inspired by Mandarin Oriental’s Asian heritage alongside an indoor lap pool and relaxation lounges. Meanwhile, the MO Lounge, the hotel’s all-day dining spot, serves contemporary American fare with Central Park panoramas.
U.S. News’ 2026 rankings crowned several other heavy hitters around the world, including Adare Manor in Ireland for Europe and Jade Mountain in St. Lucia for the Caribbean. But for New Yorkers, the takeaway is simple: you don’t have to fly halfway around the globe to experience a hotel that ranks among the country’s best.
Whether you’re planning a full-on luxury escape or just want to channel main-character energy over afternoon tea, the Mandarin Oriental’s latest accolade is a reminder that some of New York City’s most impressive stays are hiding in plain sight, several dozen floors above the chaos below.