Hotel AKA NoMad, New York City in the USA / By Baldwin Ho / Publisher LLM Reporters

Manhattan’s Design District is among the most convenient places to stay in New York City, home to upscale furniture shops. When deciding where to stay, Hotel AKA NoMad is a top choice, reflecting the creative spirit of the trendy NoMad neighbourhood.

Hotel

Renowned architect and designer Piero Lissoni created a stylish, elegant space despite limited room. The sensuous bronze sculptural staircase stands out at the entrance. The lobby feels uncluttered, with well-placed greenery and lighting with its modern minimalism drawing inspiration from Japanese and Scandinavian styles. Artwork by Amsterdam’s X+L features simple, abstract hand-dyed silk compositions.

The staff all have custom-designed uniforms that look effortlessly chic and they are endlessly helpful whether you require a late checkout or recommendations on where to shop.

You can walk to the Empire State Building and Madison Square Park in five minutes. Clothes shopping and theatre-going are all within walking distance, and Koreatown is particularly close by if you fancy the best of Korean cuisine in the city.

Room

You can helpfully take a virtual 3-D tour of all their rooms and suites if you want to get an idea of which room you’d like to pick.

The sizes range from approximately 220 sq ft for the NoMad queen rooms to the premium suite with terrace at approximately 525 sq ft. Some have marvellous views of the Empire State Building.

Unsurprisingly, they’ve sourced the furnishings from Italy’s finest artisans, including LEMA, Living Divani, Porro, and Salvatori.

The colour scheme is all about neutral tones with shades of grey, white and black dominating the design. The artworks in the guest rooms are curated by The Poster Club, which specialises in showcasing art by Scandinavian artists.

You will generally find soft, organic graphics with simple shapes that amplify the uncluttered nature of the surroundings.

Food and drink

The Mezzanine lounge is where breakfast is served and it can be reached by their signature staircase or via the lifts.

The menu offers a light continental breakfast along with a strong dose of caffeine. The buffet option isn’t the most extensive, but is well-sourced with an upscale cheese and meat selection.

There are plenty of healthy options available from artisan yoghurts to seasonal berries and whole fruits.

If you are looking for a light lunch or afternoon snacks and drinks, the place to be is at A.Lounge + Bar. It is situated right by the entrance, so you don’t have to pass reception before reaching this lounge.

The space includes an eye-catching fluted glass chandelier created by Axon Lighting Design, while the lit-up bar shelf showcases the finest spirits they have on offer.

The menu delivers on a cosmopolitan vibe with the likes of fluffy bao buns to a satisfying hummus with pita bread. It is generally designed for sharing with guests over a glass of wine or their bespoke cocktails.

To do

There is a cosy gym, which is open 24 hours a day and is furnished with the latest in Technogym equipment including bikes, treadmills and chrome dumbbells.

Guests also have exclusive access to local studios and fitness studios for classes such as yoga, HIIT and strength training.

If you want to go out exploring the city, there is no better way than signing up for a food tour with the likes of Devour Tours.

We particularly enjoyed their Lower East Side Historical Food Tour where you get to visit institutions like Katz’s Deli without having to queue. Their legendary pastrami sandwiches are still at the top of their game. You are also taken to quirkier neighbourhood venues to try the likes of a Dominican breakfast and sample a vegan lox bagel.

Throughout the tour, you learn about the multicultural nature of the neighbourhood. You will pass through the former garment district and see the oldest tenement building in the area. Best of all, the guide will leave you the best tips on which restaurants to visit post-tour.

You will also be enjoying the tour with like-minded foodies, which is the perfect way to visit one of the most fascinating neighbourhoods in New York City.

Factbox

Hotel AKA NoMad offers rooms from approximately $400 per night

 131 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016, United States
Phone: +1 212-448-7000
Email: nomadsales@stayaka.com
Website: stayaka.com/hotel-aka-nomad