There is no shortage of boutique hotels in New York City, but if you are looking for one that offers both style and substance, make sure you check out The James New York NoMad. Centrally located in Manhattan, it is within convenient reach of all the main sightseeing hot spots in Manhattan and it’s just a few blocks away from the Empire State Building.
Hotel
The exceptional Beaux-Arts style exterior has resulted in the building being protected under the National Register of Historic Places. Inside, they’ve added eclectic, post-modern touches that are the perfect juxtaposition to the famous façade, and works from local artists adorn the walls along with irresistibly snug couches that are tricky to escape from.
The lobby is a permanent hive of activity and where locals and tourists alike socialise. You’ll find complimentary morning coffee, evening wine and cheese sessions, live music performances and bi-weekly brand activations. They have a state-of-the-art gym including Peloton bikes and, as you would expect in a city that never sleeps, the gym is open 24 hours a day.
They are an extremely pet-friendly hotel and offer everything from organic treats to water bowls and will even arrange walkers and sitters for you, that latter being particularly handy if you are heading to Broadway to catch a show, for example.
Room
Designed by the renowned Thomas Juul-Hansen, the rooms never feel like a ‘hotel room’ but an urban sanctuary. Their Jimmy suite king rooms, which sleep four people with a pull-out sofa bed, are particularly popular and have a residential-style layout with separate living and sleeping areas. Natural linens ensure a perfect night’s sleep and, surprisingly, you won’t hear much noise from the streets of Manhattan thanks to their sound-proof windows. Bedside USB ports are a must these days and are thankfully present here.
With these suites, you don’t need to worry about having double vanities, and you have two separate bathrooms with marble vanity. Expect to find luxury amenities from The Botanist and the Chemist; the body lotion has a particularly appealing sweet mandarin aroma.
For those looking for a wellness break, the hotel can provide yoga mats and meditation cushions. They also offer a four-bodies wellness programme that caters to your physical, spiritual, emotional and mental needs – think of one-to-one sound healing sessions or aeroband workouts. They’ve recently launched a wellness partnership with pioneering clean beauty brand, Naturopathica and botanical spa treatments such as the ‘Chill Facial’ can be offered in-room.
In-room dining is led by their signature dishes from restaurant Scarpetta whilst you can even order an artisan cocktail to be delivered to your room from the speakeasy bar that is The Seville.
Food and drink
It was a major coup to secure Scarpetta’s move from its original location in the Meatpacking District to NoMad back in 2018. It is widely regarded as one of the best Italian restaurants in town. Their signature simple, yet effective spaghetti with tomato and basil has the perfect al dente texture along with an undeniable juicy sweetness from the tomatoes.
They don’t tend to overcomplicate dishes but focus on using the very best ingredients. Seared scallops are accompanied by roasted celery root, while creamy, soft burrata is paired with a butternut squash purée. The restaurant has a noticeable happening vibe in the evenings, where most guests dress up for a special occasion.
If you are looking for something more casual for breakfast in the morning, check out the Australian cult-favourite Bourke Street Bakery. All the buttery goodness you’ve ever wanted will be on offer such as their indulgent chocolate, hazelnut and almond croissant.
To do
Being situated in central Manhattan, the to-do list is truly endless, but catching a Broadway show is a must. The latest from Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells, Gutenberg! The Musical! has been selling out almost every night. The tour de force performances from the dynamic duo are inspiring, especially since, for 99% of the show, they are the only two performers on stage.
A little further afield in Brooklyn, but well worth visiting, is World Spa. As the name suggests, it’s a carefully curated spa journey from across the globe all under one roof. You will be physically and culturally invigorated after visiting the authentic banyas, Finnish saunas, Turkish and Moroccan hammams, cleansing Himalayan salt therapy, and Japanese onsens.
In a nutshell
If you are looking for a boutique hotel with modern sensibilities in New York City, this is just the hotel for you. It is conveniently located in Manhattan so it is within easy access to all the major attractions.
Factbox
The James New York NoMad offers rooms from $288 per night.
Address: 22 E 29th St, New York, NY 10016, United States
Phone: +1 212-532-4100
Email: reservations@jamesnomad.com
Website: jameshotels.com
Hotel photography (excluding food image) courtesy of The James New York NoMad.
