By: Merilee Kern, MBA
In a city defined by motion, momentum, and constant reinvention, finding a hotel that feels both central and calming is rare. NH Collection New York Madison Avenue achieves that balance by pairing architectural heritage with contemporary luxury, creating a Midtown stay that feels intentional and refined.
Positioned at 38th Street and Lexington Avenue, the hotel places guests steps from Grand Central Station, Bryant Park, Fifth Avenue, and Broadway. Despite this proximity, the atmosphere remains unexpectedly serene. Reopened in 2021 after a complete renovation, the 288-room property has quickly distinguished itself, earning Luxury Travel Advisor’s recognition as the Most Instagrammable Hotel in North America for its cinematic skyline and Empire State Building views.
The early twentieth-century Renaissance Revival building once served as a men’s residence and fraternity hub. Today, it has been reimagined through a midcentury modern lens inspired by Madison Avenue’s Golden Age of Advertising. Teal leather seating, retro radios, curated art books, and striking black and white photography define the public spaces. Crescent Hotels & Resorts, the award-winning management company behind the property, describes the redesign as a continuation of the building’s tradition of community, blending historic charm with modern sophistication.
Guest accommodations echo this philosophy. Junior Suites offer up to 333 square feet of space, anchored by a king bed dressed in premium linens and complemented by a sofa bed. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame classic New York views, while thoughtful amenities such as a Nespresso coffee machine, pillow selection, Malin+Goetz bath products, Smart TV, soundproof windows, climate control, and plush robes and slippers elevate the experience. The suites feel equally suited to business travel and leisurely escapes.
Dining is central to the hotel’s appeal. MAD Bar & Lounge channels midcentury glamour with intimate seating, warm lighting, and a piano room accented by a fireplace. The cocktail program features refined classics, including the Mr. Añejo Manhattan and a notably polished Old Fashioned. Live jazz performances Sunday through Thursday create an immersive evening atmosphere, complemented by curated Italian Mediterranean bites from Serafina’s kitchen.
Serafina Madison Ave, located on site, continues the brand’s nearly three-decade legacy. Handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and fresh seafood are prepared using 100 percent Italian-sourced ingredients such as San Marzano tomatoes, Burrata di Bufala, and proprietary Tuscan extra virgin olive oil. The restaurant’s origin story, born from founders Vittorio Assaf and Fabio Granato’s survival after being lost at sea, adds depth to the dining experience. Indoor and outdoor seating create a setting that feels stylish yet approachable.
Additional amenities include a fitness center, pet-friendly policies, and thoughtfully designed meeting spaces. With the Empire State Building and Times Square just minutes away, NH Collection New York Madison Avenue offers a Midtown experience that feels authentic, elevated, and unmistakably Manhattan.
About the Author
Merilee Kern, MBA, is an internationally-regarded brand strategist and analyst who reports on cultural shifts and trends as well as noteworthy industry change makers, movers, shakers, and innovators across all categories, both B2C and B2B. This includes field experts and thought leaders, brands, products, services, destinations, and events. As Founder, Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List,” Merilee is a prolific business, lifestyle, travel, dining, and leisure industry voice of authority and tastemaker. She keeps her finger on the pulse of the marketplace in search of new and innovative must-haves and exemplary experiences at all price points, from the affordable to the extreme. Her work reaches multi-millions worldwide via broadcast TV (her own shows and copious others on which she appears) as well as a myriad of print and online publications. Connect with her at www.TheLuxeList.com / Instagram www.Instagram.com/MerileeKern / Twitter www.Twitter.com/MerileeKern / Facebook www.Facebook.com/MerileeKernOfficial / LinkedIN www.LinkedIn.com/in/MerileeKern.
