Review: The Ned NoMad

Why book? Part hotel, part members-only club, this sibling to The Ned, London and cousin to every Soho House occupies a unique spot on New York City’s hotel lineup—while also scoring high on location and character.

Set the scene The Ned NoMad treads the line between hotel and members club, designed as much for offering travelers a prime seat on bustling Broadway as it is for clinking martinis on the roof and enjoying performances in private club rooms. Located in the Johnston building, a limestone-fronted 1908 Beaux-Arts landmark, it draws its character from the architecture of the building. Once inside, spaces reveal themselves one after another like nesting Matryoshka dolls, and are served with a heap of Art Deco glam, including jewel-toned upholstery, marble floors, and mahogany wood—and plenty of moody corners to slink into. Spaces here appear to be designed to facilitate socializing—between trendy Transatlantic travelers and natty locals alike. At onsite restaurant Cecconi’s, for instance, we had a particularly amusing conversation around dating etiquette with a local filmmaker at the next table. And earlier that evening on the rooftop, a Rose Sbagliato in hand, it felt completely natural to lean across and compliment the British lady in the Rixo dress—a Ned member in London, here on business.

The backstory Backed by Soho House parent company Membership Collective Group, the Ned comes to roost in New York having first opened its doors in London in 2017. Occupying what was formerly the location of the NoMad Hotel, The Ned NoMad doesn’t have the grandeur of The Ned London with its nine restaurants, a spa, and two pools, but word has it that a second New York outpost has broken ground within the former American Stock Exchange Building in the Financial District, with a scale to rival its London sibling. The members' experience is at the heart of The Ned NoMad, with most spaces earmarked for members to relax, work, and indulge. (Notably, even though they have the same owners, Ned’s Club membership is separate to Soho House membership.)

The rooms The property has 167 guest rooms that range from cozier “crash pads” to larger suites and studio apartments. I stayed in a Medium room which, despite its middling name, at 365 square feet felt large enough for me to spread out. For anyone that has stayed at the shuttered NoMad hotel, the rooms will look familiar, from the rich wood paneling to the Damask dividers—rooms were given a lighter-touch refresh for the opening in June, with a larger refurb planned for the future. My room came with a separate bathroom and walk-in shower, as well as a freestanding clawfoot bathtub that I took complete advantage of. Like all the Soho Houses and The Ned London, the bathrooms exclusively feature products by luxury U.K. brand Cowshed. For extended stays in the city, the property recommends the Studios, which are a more-generous 400 square feet and complete with a king-size bed, writing desk, separate sitting area, and views of the city. For families, adjoining rooms are available. Nightly rates start at $875 per night.

Food and drink While the rooms haven’t undergone significant transformation, the Ned’s restaurants and bars have been given a new lease of life by the Soho House design team. On the ground floor, secreted behind a curtain, a light-filled atrium comes complete with a stage for musical performances, giant palms, and a two centuries-old French fireplace. Just beyond, a green-hued library that’s a lounge by day and bar by night, as well as Little Ned, a bar and restaurant with 1920s-style booth seating that has retained several design features as well as the popular American classics on its menu from the NoMad days—likely to the relief of longtime patrons. Also on the ground floor are a members-only dining room and Cecconi’s, a popular Soho House franchise that's well-loved for its house-made pastas (try the Maine lobster spaghetti) and wood-fired pizza (the black truffle and the margherita are unwavering favorites). Notably, hotel guests who are not members currently only have access to Cecconi’s and Little Ned, which are also open to the public. A ride up the elevator reveals members-only privileges: The Magic Room, located on the second floor, with its marbled wall coverings and deep-hued upholstery, is inspired by cozy cabaret clubs and primed for smaller performances. Further up, a rooftop bar and terrace with a beautiful cupola, available for private dining and direct views of the Empire State Building, spotlights a cocktail menu created by Chris Moore (formerly of Dante, the legendary circa-1915 West Village cafe) that's also available throughout the hotel. Of note: There are no immediate plans to open either The Magic Room or the rooftop to non-member hotel guests.

The neighborhood/area A short walk from the Empire State Building and flanked by landmark buildings, the location of The Ned positions it perfectly in relation to downtown Manhattan and Midtown’s business district. The NoMad neighborhood itself, which has seen tremendous transformation while also retaining its wholesale commerce underpinnings, is also worth discovering: Take an early morning stroll through the flower district; browse through storied bookstore Rizzoli; walk through Madison Square Park, an anchor for the neighborhood; and explore Eataly, the largest Italian market in the world.

The spa While there isn't a spa on location, there is a 24-hour gym on site.

The service The service here is helpful yet unobtrusive. Particularly notable was the bellman on the day of my visit, who was prepared to cross over a length of road work to find me a cab.

Accessibility The property includes eight mobility- and hearing-accessible rooms and suites with roll-in showers. There are also new ADA-accessible, gender-neutral bathrooms on the main club floor, so members with mobility challenges don’t have to take elevators to the cellar (as was the original set-up).

Anything left to mention? I do wish the windows were better sound-proofed. The comfort of my bed was upstaged by some unfortunately loud (and protracted) city road work.