THE RITZ-CARLTON NOMAD

A STUNNING ADDITION TO NYC’S HOTEL SCENE

By Jenny Peters

Arriving at the new Ritz-Carlton NoMad Hotel entrance on West 28th Street in Manhattan, you may be mystified. What looks like an office building is an elegant hotel, which only takes a moment to discover once you enter the grand, welcoming lobby that’s chockablock with gorgeous floral arrangements.

Opened in July 2022, the Ritz NoMad is already a hotspot, especially for locals who have discovered Nubeluz, the incredible rooftop bar with an Art Deco speakeasy vibe (not an easy thing to pull off) and insane views. Perched atop the 50th floor of this built-from-scratch skyscraper, the club has floor-to-ceiling windows that encompass 270-degree looks south to downtown Manhattan into Brooklyn; west into New Jersey; and east toward the nearby Empire State Building, Queens, and Long Island.

A Dining Pleasure

It’s a chic, wonderful space helmed by everyone’s favorite philanthropic chef, José Andrés, who offers a variety of delicious “tablas” (food boards) to help soak up the craft cocktails and other libations provided here. It opens at 4 pm and draws a big crowd every night, so if you want to see the spectacular sunset on a clear evening in the Big Apple, we’d suggest reservations.

José Andrés also helms Zaytina, his Mediterranean-style eatery on the ground floor that leans on mezze offerings that are perfect for sharing. And we cannot wait for his new The Bazaar by José Andrés to open in Spring 2024, as that used to be one of the coolest places ever when he opened the original in Los Angeles in 2008.

The Accommodations

The Ritz-Carlton NoMad’s rooms and suites are incredibly beautiful. With huge windows looking out on fantastic city views, the rooms are spacious (especially by New York City standards, which often encompass a closet-sized room without enough space to open your suitcase), modern, and extremely comfortable. The hotel’s suites are even more impressive, with dining rooms, kitchens, and those same unsurpassed views of Manhattan unfolding in all its grandeur.

We love the NoMad’s Club Level, where the Club Lounge takes the concept of a floor where hotel guests can stop in for breakfast, lunch, and “afternoon delights” (although we’re pretty sure they missed the exact meaning of that saying by only offering food and drinks!), as well as cocktail hour and dessert and cordials, all included in the Club Level room rate. That constant cycle of quality food and drink service makes life much easier for busy travelers, all enjoyed in an expansive room with incredible downtown views.

And the hotel’s spa proves there’s plenty of space for whatever one’s heart desires in New York City; it just takes planning. Walk into the 6,800-square-foot oasis to discover eight treatment rooms, saunas, steam rooms, and a focus on wellness built into every experience on offer.

Fascinating Sights

Once back on the street outside the Ritz-Carlton NoMad, the neighborhood is jam-packed with ideal places to visit. Head to the Empire State Building’s revamped observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors with 360-degree views of the city and fascinating historical displays; you can even go at sunrise and watch the city that never sleeps wake up!

Take in a concert or a game at Madison Square Garden’s famed arena, just a few blocks away, or wander over toward the Hudson River and hit the High Line for a stroll, then on into Hudson Yards for some luxurious shopping adventures and a sublime seafood meal at Estiatorio Milos. Whatever you decide to do, the Ritz NoMad is a perfect spot to come home to.

For more information on the Ritz-Carlton NoMad, visit ritzcarlton.com