The Ritz-Carlton brand can feel quite formal and traditional, but the new Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, is a chic, floral breath of fresh air. (If its sister property, The Ritz-Carlton Central Park, is a Meryl Streep, then its new NoMad iteration is a Carey Mulligan or an Emma Watson — equally elegant, but with a younger, more modern energy.)
Similarly to how Four Seasons launched the Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown in 2016 with a completely different vibe from their Midtown Manhattan hotel, Four Seasons New York, The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad — which opened in July 2022 — appeals to an entirely different demographic. There were several designers for the various public spaces, from Rafael Vinoly Architects and Rockwell Group (for the on-site Zaytinya restaurant), to Martin Brudnizki, who designed the Nubeluz cocktail bar, all incorporating soft floral design motifs inspired by the hotel's location in the city's flower district.
Sky-High Accommodation
The skyscraper is one of the tallest buildings in NoMad, soaring 50 stories and featuring 219 guestrooms, 31 suites and 16 one- and two-bedroom penthouse residences (14 of which are available in the hotel inventory).
One of 31 suites at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Nomad
Credit: 2023 The Ritz-Carlton New York, Nomad
Rooms have a neutral color palette and residential feel, with terrazzo marble bathrooms. My Manhattan Club room had a lovely wraparound corner couch that was an ideal perch to watch the sunset while sipping Champagne and snacking on Ritz-Carlton's signature Grand Marnier Valrhona chocolate cake. I loved the full-size Diptyque bath amenities and standalone soaking tub, too, with bath salts available upon request. (Diptyque’s unisex woody Philosykos scent is the new brand standard that will be rolling out across Ritz-Carlton hotels worldwide, replacing Asprey.)
On-Site Dining at Zaytinya and Nubeluz
Chef and humanitarian Jose Andres leads all of the hotel's culinary venues, including ground-floor restaurant Zaytinya, the second location of his Turkish, Greek and Lebanese concept, following the original, which opened in 2002 in Washington, D.C. The flash-fried crispy Brussels sprouts, sprinkled with tart barberries, and the delicate chocolate cake floating in labneh espuma with bright red fruit granita were vibrant and delicious. However, several dishes arrived at the table too cold, including the octopus and my room temperature Turkish coffee.
Zaytinya is one of Jose Andres’ dining concepts at the property.
Credit: 2023 The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMadRooftop bar Nubeluz is like a jewel box in the sky, serving 1920s-inspired cocktails in what could be an opulent Wes Anderson film set, with plush Mohair booths perfect for large groups, sleek onyx bar tops and great people watching.
Later this spring, a third Jose Andres concept, The Bazaar by Jose Andres, is scheduled to open on the hotel's second floor.
The Club Lounge
Although most Ritz-Carlton properties have a club lounge, this one is especially impressive and worth the upgrade. Club Level guests enjoy incredibly attentive service and five daily culinary presentations, including an expansive breakfast buffet, wildly addictive strawberry cheesecake and chocolate coconut cookies and a nice selection of complimentary wine and spirits. Friendly attendants — like Wendy, Yolanda and David — made my stay so much more memorable, and the skyline views from the 36th floor are worth lingering for.
A cozy corner of the Club Lounge
Credit: 2023 The Ritz-Carlton New York, NomadWellness and the Spa
The spa is intimate but well-appointed, with eight treatment rooms and spacious saunas and steam rooms. Facials utilize German luxury skincare brand Augustinus Bader, but I opted for the Rose Quartz Remedy body treatment, which included a full-body exfoliating scrub and massage, plus a scalp massage. I was enveloped in floral scents of frangipani, rose geranium and palmarosa and quickly drifted to sleep during my massage. (It was just what I needed after a long flight from Bali.)
Prime Location for Exploring
The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, is a great pick for fashionable guests who prefer the lively NoMad neighborhood to Midtown Manhattan. You're just a short walk from the Empire State Building and some of the city's top restaurants, such as Atomix, Eleven Madison Park and Cote Korean Steakhouse. The hotel concierge has connections to get tough reservations, and there's even a Cadillac Lyriq house car on standby to whisk guests off to appointments within a 2-mile radius.
