Tell us everything: what's this place like?
It's good vibes, personified. To start, the lobby is bright and airy with a heavy dose of organic decor. Plants are everywhere, and there's lots of wood, shibori, and patterned throw pillows, plus a coffee bar right when you enter. It's all warm and welcoming—the smell of freshly ground coffee beans and pour overs in progress is a lovely way to be greeted at any time of day—but in the morning, it's really buzzing, with cute locals and travelers in need of caffeine. The rest of the lobby is more of a comfortable place to hang out during the day, where you can do a little work or meet a friend; at night is when the bar really gets going.
Who else is here? Please tell us there's some good people-watching to be had.
Japanese hipsters, mid-level fashion peeps, young but savvy international travelers who want to sleep in beds with Frette linens and who can appreciate the brass hardware in the bathroom, but can't fork over $800 per night.
How were the rooms? Any secrets you want to let us in on?
The rooms are lovely—not huge, but they're spacious enough, especially for Manhattan. What makes the difference is that they're smartly laid out and designed: the beds are on a platform with pull-out drawers with a safe in one, a hair dryer in another, and room to unpack if you like. There is also a built-in bar for hanging up clothes, and a small pull-down desk (because who needs those huge wooden whoppers these days?). The vibe is sort of Japanese (shibori throw pillows, low bed) meets-Pacific Northwest-meets-Danish modern-meets Indo—in a really good way. Lots of walnut wood, "ethnic" soft goods, wicker lamp shades. Everything is super considered.
Talk to us about the extras: anything you loved, and want a lifetime supply of?
The room amenities were fantastic; the Davines bath products are what I use at home, and the towels and bed linens are Frette and super dreamy. But if I was going to steal one thing—and this is in a fantasy world—I'd totally swipe the bed. The mattress is Hybrid by Leesa, a sort of foam/coil hybrid, and one of the most comfortable I've ever slept on. The bathrooms are really well done; beautiful stone sinks, and the brass fixtures were beautiful. I'd pocket those after I stole the mattress. (Hey, we're still in the fantasy world).
Any staff members you want to shout out?
Everyone that works at Paper, the lobby coffee bar, deserves a trophy—they are adorable, chipper, and know their beans. It can get a little crowded in the mornings, but, unlike many coffee spots with cooler-than-thou baristas, they never seem annoyed that you want oat milk instead of soy, and are a pleasure to interact with.
Quick: what's one thing that really wowed you?
The rooftop bar is one of the better, zero-cheese factor ones in the city.
Does this place warrant another stay?
This hotel is totally worth the money and is, in my opinion, a great deal for a Manhattan hotel. The rooms are high-end in all the right ways (great amenities, quality, linens, and covetable bathroom fixtures) but not at all over-the-top.
44 W 29th St., New York, New York 10001
United States
https://www.madehotels.com/
(212) 213-4429