New York’s iconic Sherry Netherland Hotel has joined the exclusive hospitality brand Mantis Collection. BTN looks at this spectacular property and how Mantis, from humble beginnings, has grown into one of the world’s most respected hospitality brands.

The Sherry Netherland Hotel, New York City, has joined the exclusive hospitality brand Mantis Collection.

Opened in 1927, the 38-storey property enjoys a spectacular location on Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, and overlooks Central Park and the Plaza Hotel.

Topped by an elaborate Gothic minaret, The Sherry adds a note of drama and history to the Manhattan skyline, with its signature sidewalk clock on Fifth Avenue marking the entrance.

The historical building has over 160 privately-owned apartments, 50 of these make up the hotel. Accommodations range from spacious guest rooms to deluxe suites offering many residential and eclectic touches.

(The famous clock marks the entrance to The Sherry Netherland Hotel)

Guest will find themselves surrounded by extraordinary luxury, reserved for the world’s most discriminating clientele.

The European-style ambience and service includes full concierge assistance, elevator attendants, valet parking, welcome gifts of Belgian chocolates and fresh flowers, state-of-the-art fitness centre, celebrity beauty salon and barbershop, full concierge service, Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, and Limousine and valet services.

(The lobby has welcomed countless famous guests, The Sherry Netherland, New York)

Relax with in-room massage therapy, or take advantage of preferred ticketing for local theatre productions and sporting events.

At every turn, The Sherry reflects the intimacy and grace of another era, an approach that forms the core of the Manits philosophy.

(Understated opulence at the Sherry Netherland)

Conserving a Vanishing Way of Life
The Mantis journey began back in 1992 and was founded in South Africa by its current chairman Adrian Gardiner.

The underlying philosophy of group’s mantra “Conserving a Vanishing Way of Life” is to expand in a responsible and ecological manner, supporting the local environment through community development projects, conservation of wildlife and the natural resources of the region.

(Shamwari Game Reserve - where the Mantis story began)

And it has proved a winning formula. Today the group consists of five-star boutique hotels, game reserves, eco lodges, luxury yachts and extraordinary rail journeys.

Mantis now has a presence in the United Kingdom, Europe, The Americas, Antarctica and Africa, with some 40 properties and plans to further grow this to over 100 properties within the next five years.

(Cap Estel Hotel on the Côte d’Azur, France)

Adrian Gardiner began his journey with the purchase of an insignificant abused, eroded and spiritless piece of land measuring a mere 2,000 hectares in size. From this he conceptualized the world renowned Shamwari Game Reserve, voted “World’s Leading Conservation Company” and “World’s Leading Safari & Game Reserve” by World Travel Awards, in South Africa, which today measures 25 000 hectares and has seen the re-introduction of all the game that once roamed the wilds of the Eastern Cape 200 years ago.

(Adrian Gardiner, Chairman, Shamwari Game Reserve picks up top honours at World Travel Awards. Pictured with Graham Cooke, President & Founder, World Travel Awards, and Miss South Africa)

Several years later, Adrian and his wildlife team emulated this model at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in the Western Cape, near Cape Town and today they continue to mentor many other reserves and national parks all around the world with their re-wilding strategies, planning and ultimately, development.

Mantis hotels, lodges, luxury yachts and/or rail journeys offer a multitude of experiences to choose from, be it enjoying the sumptuous pleasures at the luxurious private mansion called Cap Estel on the Côte d’Azur, or the charm of the elegant Draycott Hotel in the heart of Chelsea in London, to gorilla trekking in the Parcs de Volcans of Rwanda or dog sledding in search of the Northern Lights in the North Pole.