Presidential suite at the Mandarin Oriental, Time Warner Center; New York, N.Y. (Photo courtesy of the Mandarin Oriental)

To the untrained eye, all five-star hotels can look very similar. They all offer elegant design, custom furniture, the finest linens and spacious suites. But what creates a legend, and not just a brand, is one word — service. Situated above the Time Warner Center just steps away from Central Park, the Mandarin Oriental hotel offers the ultimate in luxury and service. Whether it's a custom birthday cake you need or a business shirt you forgot, the staff will see to it that you'll get it, on time, with no hassles.

• The first Mandarin Oriental hotel opened in Hong Kong in 1963.
  
• The Mandarin Oriental, New York is located on floors 35 through 54 of the Time Warner Center.
  
• The Guest Services department informs all other departments of guest requests and preferences.
  
• Sensors in your room inform the central computer system when you return. The system also offers on-demand movies that can be paused or rewound.

Kenneth Abisror, chief concierge of New York's Mandarin Oriental, on the people behind the great service:

• Each member of the staff brings with them his/her own areas of expertise.
  
• Often, the value of a concierge team is greater than the sum of its parts.
  
• A well-staffed concierge service will answer to you every (legal) whim.
  
• When it comes to goods or services, their connections are your connections.
  
• Knowing the ins and outs of the city is a big part of providing perfect service.

(Special thanks to the Mandarin Oriental, New York staff: Gustavo Serbia, Kenneth Abisror, Cliff Atkinson, Eva Kolig, David Heckaman, Sonia Rendigs, Pierre Barthes, Tiana Kartadinata, Cheik Popana, Tara Deosaran, Rudy Tauscher and Lida Suarez)

Resources

Mandarin Oriental, New York
80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street
New York, NY 10023
212-805-8800
www.mandarinoriental.com/newyork

Travel + Leisure magazine
www.travelandleisure.com