You’ll go mad for all the complimentary amenities found at the Hotel Giraffe in the NoMad (north of Madison Park) area of New York City. Located between downtown and midtown, the hotel is one block from Madison Square Park and four blocks from Grammercy Park, and has easy access to subway lines that put the rest of the city at your fingertips.
The hotel is named for and themed around the giraffe, and both the public areas and the individual guest rooms and suites have incorporated the theme into their Art Modern decor.
The hotel offers a complimentary breakfast buffet each morning, served in the lobby, with an outstanding selection of hot and cold cereals, fresh fruit, assorted pastries and bread, along with coffee, tea, and juices. If you prefer to eat in your room, a $5 service charge gets your breakfast assortment delivered to you. Breakfast is served 7-10:30 a.m. on weekdays and until 11 a.m. on weekends.
Throughout the day, guests can enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, fresh fruit, cookies, and water in the lobby. Grab something to go as you’re heading out, or just sit and relax with cookies and tea.
In the evening, the lobby becomes a busy social scene with complimentary wine and appetizers. This is a great spot to meet up with colleagues at the end of the day, schedule a business meeting, or just collapse and share stories of your day. If your traveling solo and looking to meet some other travelers, this is the spot as everyone is social and friendly, and the piano playing in the background sets the mood without being annoying. Complimentary wine and appetizers are served daily 5-8 p.m.
The rooms are comfy and modern, and remarkably quiet given the busy Manhattan neighborhood. I stayed in a King Suite, which offers plenty of extra room (and a sleeper couch) if you’re traveling with your family. The decor is clean and uncluttered. Until, of coruse, you drop your packages all over the room. Some rooms have balconies.
The hotel offers free wi-fi, including in the guest rooms, and there is plenty of workspace even if outlets are limited. Books and magazines can be found in every room, there’s a DVD library, and complimentary bottled water. Robes are in the closet, upscale amenities in the spacious bathroom along with a lighted makeup mirror for personal grooming. If you’re feeling like a workout, grab a complimentary pass to the New York Sports Club, there’s one a few blocks away.
Head to the Rooftop Garden, open to hotel guests only during the day. It’s a great place to meet up with friends, read a book, or maybe get a little work done. Notice the metal sculpture giraffe in the corner?
Whether you managed to snag reservations at Les Halles, or are chowing down on a burget at Shake Shack, there are eateries galore within an easy walking distance. Both the front desk and concierge provided great recommendations when we were looking for something within walking distance.
Breat and Tulips, a rustic Italian restuarant, is located next door. Dine in or pick up a pizza to go. Hotel Giraffe guests receive a discount at the restaurant.
The Hotel Giraffe is located at 365 Park Avenue South (at 26th Street) in New York City, and a convenient choice if you are doing business or sightseeing on the east side. Prices during high season are about $600/night, and can drop to half that at other times. Book direct or check Booking.com.
Photos: Courtesy of Hotel Giraffe
Disclosure: I received a complimetary stay at Hotel Giraffe.