Our Rating
★★★★★
Nestled just off the corner of West 29th and 6th Ave., MADE Hotel offers a laid-back retreat in the bustling NoMad neighbourhood of Midtown Manhattan. The brainchild of entrepreneur Sam Gelin, MADE Hotel opened in 2017 and has since been named by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the best new hotels in the world.
NoMad, short for North of Madison Square Garden, is an up-and-coming, fashionable district in the centre of Manhattan, neighboured by Chelsea, Koreatown, Rose Hill, and the Flatiron District. The hotel is ideally located within easy walking distance of top tourist attractions such as the Empire State Building and Times Square, and is just 20-30 minutes walk from Central Park and New York’s newest neighbourhood of Hudson Yards.
The hotel’s understated entrance, easily missed if not for the bronze plaque on the floor, is indicative of the relaxed vibe you’ll find inside the 18 floor, 108 bedroom property. The lobby is an Instagrammer’s dream – full of wood, plants, a fantastic bar taking up the far wall, and local-favourite coffee shop Paper at the entrance. Inside the hotel you will also find the cosy, seasonal restaurant Ferris, rooftop bar Good Behaviour, and a cute and comfy second-floor terrace exclusively for hotel guests.
MADE Hotel
Rooms
The 108 bedrooms are pretty much perfect in every way. Although small (this is New York after all), the clever designs by LA-based Studio Mai make use of all available space including fold-down desks, open closet approach to hanging clothes, and a king-size platform bed with storage space and a digital safe underneath. Finishing off the bedroom are large flat screen Samsung TVs, Revo SuperConnect digital radios, and floor-to-ceiling windows, with some rooms also including balconies. Ensuring you sleep after a day in New York are king size Sapira mattresses by Leesa. And we can attest to the fact that it’s the comfiest bed we have ever slept in.
The bathrooms are also a work-of-art, with deep hand-cut limestone sinks, hand-painted tiles and, and a gorgeous rainfall shower or deep-soaking tubs. Coupled with Davines MOMO bath products, every aspect of ultimate comfort and has been considered.
Facilities
The hotel offers everything you would expect in a modern Manhattan property, including fast free WiFi, 24-hour service, bathrobes, an extensive lobby bar and terrace, rooftop bar, and on-site restaurant and coffee shop.
Lobby Bar and Terrace
The lobby bar is constantly busy and thriving with hotel guests and locals alike, working on laptops or catching up with a drink from the extensive bar. A casual all-day menu is also served here, with favourites such as pastas, burgers and outstanding fries, as well as being offered for room service for those who prefer to relax in the room at the end of the day. For breakfast we tried the Nduja Soft Scramble which was delicious, as was the Yoghurt Granola for a quick breakfast to power you up for the day.
The hotel-guest-only second-floor terrace is a comfortable, cosy, and quiet space to relax from the bustling city. It is also a surprising sun-trap despite being surrounded by New York’s signature high-rise buildings. On Wednesday, the hotel also invites guests to the terrace for a complimentary glass of wine and give you the opportunity to meet the staff, or just read a book in the sun if you prefer.
Paper Coffee
At the entrance to the hotel is the friendly coffee spot Paper. Serving up high-quality coffee, tea, and pastries, it’s easy to see why it’s a favourite amongst locals and guests alike. Opt for the cushioned benches under the window, or take a seat and work at the large communal table that takes up the majority of the space in the café.
Good Behaviour
On the 18th floor of the building is the small but stunning rooftop bar offering awe-inspiring Instagram-worthy views across the city. Featuring Tiki-inspired cocktails, craft beers, and both indoor and outdoor space, Good Behaviour is a popular spot year-round. With music, a live DJ booth, and opening times until 2am, the bar is a great place to either start or end your night.
Ferris
With ambitious Executive chef Greg Proechel, MADE Hotel’s onsite restaurant offers new-American seasonal food in its cosy basement 40-cover dining room. The diverse menu includes Wagyu Beef, Grilled Scallops, and Blood Sausage, as well as quirky signature cocktails.
Verdict
All-in-all, we loved our time at the uber-trendy MADE Hotel, made even more special by the superb and friendly staff, from the coffee shop to housekeeping. The location is perfect, close enough to many tourist attractions and walkable to both the East and West side of the city, as well as Central Park, but out of the way enough to offer some relative peace. The small but clever rooms are beautifully designed and make you feel at home, and between the cafe, restaurant, lobby, and two terraces, there’s plenty to keep you busy. It’s a genuine 5/5 from us.
