Charm & Character at The Nolitan Hotel, NYC

If you want to immerse yourself in the heart of the most vibrant area of Manhattan stay with the Nolitan Hotel, if only for a couple of nights. My second night in New York was spent here, and after a busy couple of days I was excited to be back in my favourite part of town, Nolita.

On the corner of Kenmare and Elizabeth Streets, just over the road from The Butchers Daughter, is this giant glass structure designed by Grzywinski + Pons. The interior design was completed by the New York design firm Meyer Davis, who were also responsible for the design of Wayfarer restaurant which is connected to the Loews Regency, (where I had lunch that day), the Julian Farel Salon (where I had my power hour mani/pedi & blow-dry on my last day in the city), Dutch at the W in Miami (awesome restaurant, get a table on the terrace), The Paramount Hotel, and the Oscar de La Renta flagship in the city.

I arrived mid-morning and was thrilled to be able to check straight into my room on arrival. What a treat not to have to wait until 3pm. Things like this go along way with me when I’m travelling, especially as I’m only ever usually somewhere for just a night.

The floor to ceiling glass walls in the lobby allows a direct connection to the street, with a lower street perspective from the restaurant to the side of the lobby as the floors have been sunk by a couple of feet. The restaurant was bustling at midday and I was excited to get to grips with the area again, and explore the hotel. I’ve wanted to stay here since my last trip a year ago.

The hotel opened in August 2011, with 55 rooms, 8 room types (Queen/King, Balcony room, Corner room, and Nolitan Suite), I was lucky to have a cityscape balcony room which faced the same way as the entrance, I was on the 8th floor furthest from the lift, so I imagine I had one of the quieter rooms. The Neighbourhood rooms occupy the 3rd-6th floors.

My room was quite small (235 Sq. Ft), but very typical of this level of New York design hotel, and also perfectly fine. The outdoor terrace more than made up for it. What a wonderful bonus to sit outside and watch the hustle and bustle. With an open floor plan, there is a fun open glass wall in the bathroom (with rain head shower) and a privacy curtain on the other side of the glass, so you can shower looking at the skyline which is fun if not interesting for the buildings in front. The chair is a classic Eames DSR, and the Splugen Brau pendant was designed in the 60s by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni. Of course I have my trusty Globetrotter Cruise case with me wherever I go. 

The fully transparent window panels allow you to view the cityscape ahead, and the frosted panelling maintains privacy within the small rooms keeping the light to a maximum throughout the daytime. The key materials are exposed concrete, glass, wood and a polished plaster feature wall behind the headboard. Layers of texture, unfinished timber floors with the odd design piece allows for a relaxed, authentic and comfortable room.

The room has everything you’d need, free high speed wifi, a great tv, remote controlled ceiling fans and air con, Red Flower supply the amenities, great bedlinen, an affordable mini bar, the Corian bathroom is light and bright, a full length mirror with great lighting, and space for a desk for when I needed to catch up with my site.

My view

I spent the afternoon uptown at the new Quin Hotel, with lunch at Wayfarer who I mentioned designed this hotel, but later that evening I had to head to Harlem to watch Lykke Li play at The iconic Apollo Theatre. I had no clue where I was going but the team at the front desk were fantastic, and as I’d arrived back at the hotel during their daily happy hour ‘Sips and Savouries’ I took a glass up to my room to get ready before dashing to the subway. Thank you guys for my pep talk and sending me on my way!

I arrived home in the early hours to a cute turn down and some chocs on my pillow…

I decided to try breakfast over the road at The Butchers Daughter, known as the vegetable slaughter house this place is infamous for it’s cold pressed juices.

This is the Nolitan Suite below…

The Nolitan is such a wonderful hotel, modern, friendly, minutes from the subway, and a moments walk from some of the best restaurants in the city. The charm and character of this pocket of the city makes you feel like you could slip into daily life so easily here.

If you’re ready to book yourself in, just click here.

With all my thanks to Emily and the staff at the hotel for having me to stay.

The Nolitan Hotel, 30 Kenmare Street, NY, 10012

LWSY