Made Hotel

It never fails: I always pick the worst time to go to New York. With another Nor’Easter threatening to cancel all flights in and out of the Big Apple, I change gears and change flights to fly into the city the night before the storm starts. I land within hours of apocalyptic Thunder Snow wreaking havoc on a sleepy city. It’s the kind of weather that begs you to stay put. My first thought: my hotel better be real good.

I check in to Made, carefully avoiding dripping sheets of ice and snow onto a pristine lobby with a bustling coffee shop near the entrance. I quickly go to my room. While I’m desperate for a hot shower, the Junior Suite stops me in my tracks: a 12th floor pied-à-terre with a spacious balcony looking up at the Empire State Building. Let me repeat that last part for you: A Balcony. Empire State Building views. 

I quickly checked my reservation itinerary email to make sure that I could actually afford all these luxuries. Despite the relentless sleet, I stand on my my balcony to take it all in. No matter how many times I visit, the city – especially with this view – is pure magic.

The weather makes it incredibly difficult to do much of anything. So does the giant king bed. The bed, it should be noted, takes up a third of the room. Normally that might seem cramped, but with how comfortable it was, I wouldn’t mind if the entire room was a mattress. 

After an incredible shower in a petite but well-appointed bathroom, I throw on the robe. It’s Frette. I dash from bathroom to bed and back, checking each linen’s tag. I squeal: They’re all Frette! I decide to sleep in the robe – ‘Nothing I own,’ I think, throwing myself dramatically onto that giant bed, ‘is quite as luxurious as this robe.’ 

Made checks all the boxes of the laidback modern boutique hotel while packing in all the luxuries of the five-star behemoths. Isn’t that exactly what the pint-sized boutique hotel concept started out as initially? Somewhere with its finger on the trend pulse, but not without the ability to deliver quality service in all facets? Made does it seamlessly. 

The siren song of the city eventually gets me out of bed (and out of that robe). I venture to the lobby for a cocktail and a bite to eat (a pressed sandwich with ham and Persian cucumber. Fussy, but good). 

The lobby design is ten-fold, functioning as a softly lit bar at night, café during the day, and cozy meeting space for a stylish pack of people coming and going. The vibe is fun – but not quite as special as the rooftop bar. While the weather didn’t allow for the full experience, I took the elevator to the top floor to take a peek. It’s a vibrant and unexpected space with lots of plants placed softly among the mid-rises of NoMad. And yes, once again, the Empire State Building reminds you of exactly where you are.

I venture out, heading downtown to my favorite piano bar. It’s one of those nights when the wild winter weather makes everyone exceptionally giddy. A city full of adults reverting back to the anticipation and excitement of a guaranteed snow day the following day. I down a whiskey on the rocks, join in on a few bars of a Little Shop of Horrors medley, and make my way out. While there is usually a few more haunts on my NYC night crawls, my Junior Suite beckons me back. In fact, I’ve never stayed anywhere in New York that has called me back so effectively as Made. Just the thought of slipping into that robe and under those covers was enough to forget my FOMO for the drag show down the street. 

I don’t set the alarm. The only thing on my agenda the next day? A matinee. (And, side note: you’re situated perfectly for catching shows and not having to stay anywhere near Times Square). I stay in bed way longer than normal. There is a very special quality about the diffused light from the continuing storm through the floor to ceiling windows that is remarkably relaxing. I order avocado toast for breakfast. Perfectly charred with poblano peppers sprinkled on top.

‘How was your breakfast, Mr Kostic?’ the receptionist asks on my way out. 

‘Absolutely delicious,’ I say, telling her how I usually roll my eyes at avocado toast, the now basic breakfast menu staple. We share a laugh and she adds: ‘You know, if we’re going to do an avocado toast, we’re going to do the best one out there.’

Her off-the-cuff comment stuck with me. It seems that it’s in the brand DNA to always do it up right. I make the trek to the matinee in the continuing Thunder Snow. And with each laborious step in that ridiculous weather, I keep reminding myself of my cozy balcony room with that big ol’ bed and that incredible robe. With my Junior Suite in mind, I say: Let It Snow!