Why book?
With an enviable location in Manhattan’s trendy NoMad district, the Hotel Seville is an amalgam of NYC post–Gilded Age glamour and modern comfort.
Set the scene
Standing at attention on the corner of 29th and Madison is the Beaux-Arts knockout Hotel Seville NoMad—formerly, the James. The stately, ornate structure imbues those who ascend its stairs with a regal poise, but guests are likely to relax once they enter the laid-back modern lobby. The soothing, low-lit reception area and newly renovated bar invite you to be at ease, whether you’re having your morning coffee while toiling on your laptop or sipping wine with friends in the cushy chairs come evening.
While you will encounter guests from all over the country and the world who need a convenient base from which to paint the town red or work and sleep between meetings, you’ll also find plenty of New Yorkers availing themselves of the New York Times Critic’s Pick restaurant Scarpetta and the swanky lounge downstairs for cocktails and live music.
The backstory
Opened as the Hotel Seville NoMad in 1904, the property has changed hands and names (the Carlton, the James) throughout its history, but has been rechristened the Hotel Seville NoMad by Hyatt after it took over in 2025. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 and listed as a New York City Landmark in 2018. So if you ever wanted to stay inside a piece of New York history, this is your chance.
The rooms
The comfy accommodations are well-appointed with lovely preserved details like original moldings and bay windows. The standard rooms may be a bit cozy for those unaccustomed to NYC living, but if you’re staying here, you’re most likely out and about in the city. I stayed in a deluxe suite, which was a spacious 475 square feet and comprised two rooms, each with its own bathroom, separated by a foyer. Guests also have the option to book a wide variety of rooms within the 348-room property, which range from the aforementioned standard room with a queen bed at 200 square feet, all the way up to the penthouse at over 1,000 square feet.
Hyatt is currently renovating the rooms, with completion expected by spring 2026. I got a glimpse of the new designs—and they are sleeker with a palette of muted blues and golds. Gone will be the rather dated abstract art in favor of more traditional photography. Along with the soft lighting, the overall effect is spa-like calm.
Food & beverage
The centerpiece of the Hotel Seville NoMad’s food and beverage program is the high-end Italian spot Scarpetta. This isn’t your standard hotel restaurant; rather, it’s a place that even New Yorkers patronize for a special meal. In addition to the extensive cocktail and wine lists, highlights include the array of crudi, the seared octopus, the duck, and the signature spaghetti, $1 of which goes to the Food Education Fund. Breakfast and lunch are also available here.
For a more intimate, moody vibe, head downstairs to The Seville, a speakeasy-style bar where you can catch live music Tuesdays through Saturdays (with reservations required). Of course, if you just want to hide out in your room after an exhausting day touring the city, room service is available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The spa
While the hotel does not have a spa on premises, guests can take advantage of a 10% discount at Oasis Day Spa at Park Avenue and 32nd Street.
The neighborhood/area
One of the greatest assets of the Hotel Seville NoMad is its location. For guests coming to see a Broadway show or ticking off the sites, Midtown is within walking distance. And for those looking to explore farther afield, you’re close to the green and yellow subway lines. You’re also mere steps away from magnificent Madison Square Park, where you could spend all day people-watching; on the other side of the square, you can check out the first Eataly in the US. There are too many restaurants, coffee shops, and stores nearby to name, and you’re a block away from a Whole Foods for any incidentals. Basically, New York City is your oyster here.
The service
The service at Scarpetta was exemplary. The servers were quick to anticipate your needs and knowledgeable when it came to the menu and what to order. The hotel staff was warm and welcoming. It did take a second call to the front desk to deliver a toothbrush, but overall, the staff appeared happy to work there.
Eco effort
The Hotel Seville boasts standard approaches to helping the environment, including reducing single-use plastic and encouraging linen and towel reuse.
Accessibility
All areas—including the lobby, restaurant, meeting rooms, gym, and guest rooms—are fully accessible with ramps, elevators, and wide doorways. Text telephone is also available.
Anything left to mention?
If you must get your sweat on, there’s a small fitness center with Peloton bikes on the third floor. Currently, the gym has Golden Girls–esque palm-tree walls, but expect a sleeker, more muted palette when Hyatt refurbishes this, along with the guest rooms and the lounge. All decor updates should be finished by spring 2026. The lounge will be outfitted with velvet walls and gold accents, giving the space an Art Deco vibe.
22 E 29th St, New York, New York 10016
United States
https://www.hyatt.com/unbound-collection/en-US/nycud-hotel-seville-nomad
(212) 532-4100