Hotel Spotlight

Traveling for Business With Pleasure (and Vice Versa) in NYC's Buzzy NoMad Neighborhood

by Jeralyn Gerba
All photos courtesy of The James New York NoMad.

The James New York NoMad
New York City, NY
Modern, $$$ 

NYC's downtown sensibility and aesthetic has been quietly creeping uptown — to NoMad, the area just north of the Flatiron Building and Madison Square Park, where there are new pedestrian paths, restaurants, concept shops, co-working spaces, and trendy fitness studios. This makes for a prime business-leisure travel destination, and The James New York NoMad, offers an easy-on-the-eyes lodging option for savvy visitors who want to dive right in.

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At a Glance

Vibe: Effortless style (clean, warm, modern) and function (high-tech amenities, great real estate).

Standout Detail: Sanctuary vibes in the center of the busy Flatiron District.

This Place Is Perfect For: Business travelers who want easy access to the leisurely side of Manhattan; foodies who want to be within nearly arm's reach of all the latest food emporiums and trending restaurants.

Rooms: There are 337 (and 28 suites), but it doesn't feel that big. Note: 2 p.m. check-in and late check out (so civilized!), strong WiFi.

On Site: Inside the building, a 15-story Beaux Arts beauty, there's 5,000 square feet of event space, ballroom for 250, and four private meeting rooms. The wellness program includes a partnership with locally-based Naturopathica spa and a gym equipped with Peloton bikes. Rotating pop-ups and activations are featured in the lobby, and the lower level shopping space is curated by local vendors. Four-legged friends are pampered with thoughtful amenities like beds, food and water bowls, and treats from FUZI Pets and Posh Pup Treats.

Food + Drink: Beloved Italian restaurant Scarpetta, which you remember from its Meatpacking District days, is now located in the hotel. The Seville is the buzzy cocktail lounge in the basement with a separate entrance onto the street. Locally procured snacks and beverages are available in each guest room.

What to Do Nearby

The revitalized neighborhood north of Manhattan's iconic Flatiron Building is riding a wave of new hotels, restaurants, and pedestrian paths. The Shake Shack mothership and Italian pantry dreamscape Eataly anchor the area, along with major furniture and design shops like Marimekko, and a vanishing wholesaler district for dollar store curiosities (balloons, batteries, cheap watches, plastic toys). Hip Korean eatery Atoboy serves tasty cuisine in three set courses and LA cult import Sugarfish does a terrific Japanese box set — both are great options for lunch. The area has also become a hub for coworking spaces like NeueHouse, General Assembly, and Industrious Office. It's an easy walk in all directions — Chelesa, Penn Station, Union Square — so get those steps in.

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This article was originally written in 2017 and was updated in 2023. Everything on Fathom is independently selected by our editors. If you book a hotel through a link on our website or newsletter, we may earn a commission.

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