Arlo NoMad
by the TopOfHotel team
Arlo NoMad is the best boutique hotel at this price — a rooftop bar with a real view and design that stands out.
Arlo NoMad is the best boutique hotel at this price — a rooftop bar with a real view and design that stands out.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Arlo NoMad is one of the more popular boutique hotels in Manhattan, and its 8.4/10 on Agoda is the highest score on this list. The design leans industrial chic but softens it with warm wood floors, curated furniture, and warm lighting, so even though the rooms run compact, they feel comfortable and good-looking rather than tight. Guests most often single out the look — the kind of room that photographs well — alongside a comfortable bed, a clean bathroom, and the basics covered. It's a good fit for couples and anyone who cares about how a room feels.
Food and amenities
The headline feature is the rooftop bar, one of the prettiest viewpoints you'll get at boutique-hotel prices. From up there you can see the Empire State Building and the Midtown South skyline clearly, and sunset is the time to go. The bar pours solid cocktails at prices that are reasonable by New York standards, and the mood is modern and lively — a good place to land after a day of walking. There's free Wi-Fi and a cafe on site as well.
Location and getting there
NoMad sits between Midtown and Downtown, which makes it easy to head in either direction. The Empire State Building is a 5-minute walk, Madison Square Park is 3 minutes, and the Flatiron Building is 8 minutes. Eataly NYC, the well-known Italian food hall, is 5 minutes away. For transit, the N, R, W lines at 28th St connect you in every direction, and the neighborhood is packed with restaurants and cafes across a range of budgets.
Things to know before booking
This is the priciest pick on the list, so it asks more than a standard pod hotel in the same part of town. Rooms are compact, which means they aren't a great match for large groups who want room to spread out. And because it's design-forward and central, it pulls a busy NoMad crowd — you're booking it for the style, the rooftop, and the location more than for space or quiet.
Our take
If you want some style and a real New York feel without paying 5-star rates, Arlo NoMad is the standout. The 8.4/10 score, the rooftop view of the Empire State Building, and a walkable NoMad address make it the best boutique value on this list — just go in knowing the rooms are small and the price sits at the top of the budget tier.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Standout boutique design — pretty and worth photographing.
- A rooftop bar with gorgeous Manhattan views, including the Empire State Building.
- A great NoMad location with major restaurants and cafes all around the hotel.
- A 5-minute walk to the Empire State Building.
- The highest review score on this list at 8.4/10.
- Pricier than the other options on this list.
- Rooms are compact — not ideal for large groups.
- Being design-led and central, it draws a busy NoMad crowd, so it is more about style and location than space.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
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Insider Tips
- Book a Corner Room ahead — the angle is wider and the view is better.
- Hit the rooftop bar at sunset, roughly 6 to 8 PM — don't skip it.
- Eataly NYC Flatiron is a 5-minute walk for a very good breakfast.