The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad Review: Sky High Luxury On 28th & Broadway

When you check into a new property from such a revered brand as The Ritz-Carlton, you’d reasonably expect grand heritage buildings with an ‘if-these-walls-could-talk’ atmosphere and super exclusive public spaces. This isn’t the case with The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, a new build and a contemporary expression of the luxury brand.

The Ritz-Carlton brand, which was founded by William B. Johnson back in 1983, seems to favour highly polished new builds. This particular project was completed in 2021 at 1185 Broadway, right on the corner of W 28th Street and directly in front of a well-connected subway station.

Much of the opening hype surrounded celebrity chef José Andrés. While a kitchen having a well-known name attached to it means nothing to me, Andres has a very consistent reputation. And I recently dined at one of his newest restaurants, the excellent Jaleo, in Dubai’s ritzy Atlantis the Royal, so I’m well aware of what having Andres curate two venues means for a hotel.

Yet I’d say one of the major features The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad has got going for it is those expansive Manhattan views – not just from each of the 250 rooms and suites, but also from the stunning Nubeluz, the hotel’s rooftop bar and a major drawcard for cashed-up guests and locals alike. While many hotels in the city boast great views, this is about as idyllic as you can get in Midtown with Nubeluz’s terrace offering an unrivalled panorama, dominated by the Empire State Building, which is only six blocks away.

But more on Nubelez below. Let’s get straight into this review of The Ritz Carlton New York, NoMad.

The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad Review

Location

The brand’s other Big Apple hotel, The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad has what appears to be a better location, right next to Fairmont’s legendary The Plaza. It’s on that row of super high-end hotels that is completely befitting of The Ritz-Carlton brand. The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, on the other hand, is in a lesser-loved part of Manhattan; one you wouldn’t immediately associate with luxury hotels.

And yet, The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad’s location just makes sense. While its sister hotel might boast a more desirable spot this one is arguably more convenient. Not only does the RC NoMad’s guest car – an electric Cadillac Lyriq – have enough scope to drive guests to Union Station, you’ve got a Subway station directly outside the hotel entrance.

And let me tell you, having a subway station right at the hotel makes a massive difference, especially when you’ve had a big night.

Design & Features

As above, this isn’t The Ritz-Carlton you expect. The brand has built its reputation on converting historic buildings into swanky contemporary hotels, and while there’s still a lot of pizzazz at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, it’s just on a smaller scale. Granted 250 rooms isn’t exactly “boutique,” but there is certainly that premium calibre the brand does so well.

Besides, any hotel adding rooms to New York City and still managing to offer something distinctive deserves praise for merely existing. Hospitality is fiercely competitive in the Big Apple and The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad has managed to distinguish itself, mostly thanks to that aforementioned rooftop bar.

The design language isn’t necessarily telling any stories, and if there was no view I’d feel completely disconnected from the city. It sounds a bit harsh to say the hotel gets most of its appeal from those vistas, but it’s true. The 50-story building, which was developed by Flag Luxury Group has an enviable perspective of both uptown and downtown; soaring above nearby buildings.

If there was any discernable theme it would lie with the soft floral motifs found throughout the property, nodding to the nearby Flower District, however, it’s not nearly pronounced enough to give the hotel any kind of personality. Much more eye-catching is the colourful designer furniture and gilded trimmings best displayed in the hotel bar, which stretches from the cramped reception area with emerald couches. Aesthetically, it’s one of the building’s strongest spaces.

The lobby-level restaurant, Zaytinya, is not as visually appealing but it’s clear most of the work went into the rooftop bar. Nubeluz is appropriately lavish, blending a soft 1920s aesthetic with plush Mohair booths and jewel-coloured lounges. Prime position is out on the breezy terrace, but the inside is a cosy Wes Anderson-esque spread that feels like classic upscale New York. The commanding views are a bonus.

I didn’t get a chance to use the very well-stocked hotel gym but the spa is lovely. The signature Rose Quartz Remedy body treatment, which takes you through a full-body exfoliating scrub, a full-body massage and a scalp massage, does its job. I feel energised after I pop into one of the eight treatment rooms, which sit next to numerous saunas and steam rooms.

Rooms

The rooms are on the small side but very well-appointed and archetypically modern. My Manhattan Club room relies mostly on having a really good view via the wide, cinematic window. The perfect Manhattan vista sits opposite a plush king bed that takes up most of the space, hanging above a wraparound lounge and a small circular table. To the left of the bed, a handsome grey trunk opens to reveal an astonishingly comprehensive mini bar with a generous spread of localised food and drink.

The mid-sized bathroom is slick with a large shower and a standalone soaking tub, framed by grey terrazzo marble that flows nicely from the bedroom’s neutral palette. Full-sized Diptyque amenities scream premium and help keep the pleasant woody scent pumping throughout the day.

I’d suggest staying in a Club room as it gives you access to the Executive Lounge. The exclusive 36th-floor space inherently feels old-school just because having a club lounge isn’t much of a thing for most new hotels nowadays. But the sheer romance of having that kind of view shine through while you relax in a private space can’t be understated.

There are no less than five complimentary food and drink presentations throughout the day at the lounge, which certainly ups the value for anyone who has blown their entire budget on accommodation. It helps that the food is actually good, with an excellent breakfast buffet, desserts throughout the day, and wine pretty much whenever you’d like.

Food & Drink

The hotel rightfully banks a lot of its appeal on José Andrés. He curates everything from the room service to the restaurants, Zaytinya and Nubelez. The chef already watched his original Zaytinya become one of Washington D.C.’s most popular Mediterranean restaurants so the hype is perfectly understandable.

And while nothing I tried really stuck with me, this Turkish, Greek and Lebanese concept is not at all a disappointment. While, as above, it may lack much visual appeal, the diverse menu offers a lot of vibrant, comforting flavours that are best taken with some flatbreads, those excellent crispy Brussels and some rich bone marrow kibbeh. The Turkish breakfast is worth sticking around for.

Nubelez is a different story. You’ve got smaller plates up here with much of the same flavours, putting the focus on signature cocktails served in a space that feels perfectly aligned with an upscale Manhattan lifestyle. I didn’t find the signature cocktails too appealing; heavy on theatrics, and light on flavour. But the staff make a killer classic cocktail, which is even better if you’re sipping it out on the terrace.

Service

Great, personal service up at the Executive Lounge was contrasted with the rather chaotic experience up at Nubelez. The popular rooftop bar is much too busy for attentive, efficient service but the people actually making the drinks clearly work fast. Yet, for a space that’s so brimming with life after work hours, you’d be a fool to expect the red carpet.

My experience at the spa is more indicative of the level of service one can expect here. Softly spoken, warm and welcoming without overstepping. That’s exactly what I want at a hotel, especially in America. I never got the feeling that I was being disingenuously buttered for gratuity, which is more than I can say for a lot of hotels in the country.

Verdict & Value

US$1,073 (AU$1,613) is quite steep for the hotel. I’d expect those kinds of prices from a Grand Drame in New York City like The Plaza or The Pierre. The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, however, just feels like a well-oiled new build with a lot of polish and a very popular rooftop bar.

Would I recommend this over something like The Plaza, which is slightly more affordable? No. Yet, The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad has a lot going for it to help earn the price. You’re paying a premium for those views, of course. Waking up to the tip of Manhattan’s iconic skyline is never boring, and the amenities are all appropriately high-end to help justify the price.

The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad – Details

Address: 25 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001, United States
Contact: +1 212-404-8400

Rates at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad start from around AU$1,613 per night.

The author, Chris Singh, stayed as a guest of The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad.

While you’re here, check out some of our other New York content.

• The Plaza, New York Review
• The Langham New York Review
• The Peninsula New York Review
• Best Rooftop Bars In New York
• Atomix New York Review

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