Hotel AKA NoMad

Opened as the Roger Williams Hotel in 1930, this historic property has found new life as Hotel AKA NoMad, a chic boutique hotel in mostly quiet Murray Hill. Stepping into the hotel feels like stepping into a design magazine. The sophisticated two-story lobby by renowned interior designer Anna Busta is meticulously outfitted with plush blue sofas, soft rugs, chevron parquet floors, and glass, bubble-like light fixtures. Original candid black-and-white photos of celebrities past and present line the whitewashed exposed brick walls and the shelves encircling the lobby’s soaring columns. By day, the lobby is subdued, with guests quietly sipping coffee or reading. In the evening, when the small corner bar opens, it transforms into a hip but tranquil lounge scene. Perched above on the mezzanine level, the warm Parlour Bistro and Lounge draws a mix of stylish hotel guests and local businesspeople looking for comfort food, creative cocktails, and quiet conversation. Thoughtful extras like seasonal lobby beverages and weekday evening wine hours make guests feel welcome, though they come with a mandatory daily facilities fee.

Tucked among the offices and residential buildings of Murray Hill, Hotel AKA NoMad is removed from the frenzy of the city's busy tourist areas, yet still ideally located for exploring its top sights. Guests can walk to Madison Square Park, featuring the original outdoor Shake Shack outpost, in three minutes. The iconic Empire State Building is a five-minute walk away. Herald Square, home to the flagship location of Macy’s department store, is 10 minutes away on foot. In 15 minutes or less, guests can walk to landmarks like Penn Station, Madison Square Garden, the Chrysler Building, and bustling Grand Central Terminal. Several subway stations within a short walk make it easy to get around: the 33rd Street 6 stop is two minutes away, the 28th Street 6 stop is five minutes away, and the 28th Street N, Q, R, and W stop is seven minutes away. Lower Manhattan and Central Park are within a half-hour subway ride in opposite directions. The hotel is also in an easy area for hailing taxis. The drive to either LaGuardia Airport or JFK International Airport should take a half-hour to an hour, depending on traffic.

Hotel AKA NoMad’s modern, Annette Jaffe-designed rooms feature large, striking black-and-white photographs of New York City landmarks over beds and Egyptian cotton linens. The clean lines of the polished furniture are balanced by cool gray carpets and patterned drapes. Flat-screen TVs, spacious desks, and safes come standard, as do refrigerated minibars and a wide array of snacks (both for a fee). The rooms notably lack coffeemakers. Wi-Fi is included as part of the daily facilities fee. Upgrading to Premier or Empire Rooms adds leather benches, colorful armchairs, or corner locations with two windows, and some have large private furnished terraces. Select rooms in these classes, including those on the penthouse level, surpass the stunning architecture artwork by giving guests the real thing: spectacular views of the Empire State Building towering overhead.

Closets come equipped with umbrellas, irons, and ironing boards. Standard bathrooms are tiny, and those in the upgraded rooms are only slightly larger. All feature white, mosaic-patterned tiled walls and plate glass mirrors, along with hairdryers and C.O. Bigelow toiletries, including eco-friendly pump dispensers in the showers or tubs. Fees for extra bathroom amenities like shaving kits can leave some guests feeling nickel-and-dimed. Plush robes come standard in upgraded rooms, though they’re available in all rooms upon request.

The amenities at Hotel AKA NoMad are designed to make guests feel welcome and relaxed. Overlooking the lobby on the hotel’s mezzanine level is the Parlour Bistro and Lounge, a culinary love letter to New York City curated by restaurateur Jonathan Morr. The day starts with the Breakfast Pantry, a buffet featuring options from some of the city’s most iconic eateries, including H&H Bagels, Balthazar, Sarabeth’s, and Petrossian, offered for a fee in a warm atmosphere of blue leather chairs and striped banquettes.At lunchtime, the buffet is replaced by a full-service bar, while the restaurant serves up casual American dishes and new takes on comfort food classics, incorporating NYC staples like cheeses from local favorite Murray’s. Handcrafted specialty cocktails complete the picture, which guests can also order from the bar in chic lobby below. Both are open late, and 24-hour room service is offered.

The hotel’s large 24-hour fitness center, renovated in 2018, features Life Fitness cardio machines, a Peloton bike, and free weights. Guests looking to host a meeting or event can choose between a small conference room or the outdoor Veranda 411 Terrace. There’s also a small Mac Lounge next to reception where guests can go online, print, and send faxes. The lobby serves morning coffee and tea, as well as seasonal afternoon drinks like iced tea or hot cider. They’re covered by the daily facilities fee, which also includes Wi-Fi, weekday wine hours at the lobby bar, concierge services, and use of the fitness center and Mac Lounge. Valet parking is available for a daily fee.