The Roger

The Roger, situated on Madison Avenue between the Flatiron and Murray Hill, is proof that with good taste and expert execution, an outstanding hotel needs no highfalutin, top-to-bottom lifestyle concept. It’s not hard to imagine the hoteliers’ thought process: “We’ve got a gorgeous old building in a great location; we’ll hire a sharp Manhattan designer to do a top-to-bottom sprucing-up; we’ll get pretty spendy with the bedding, the TVs, the bath products and all the little details; and the service will be great.” The real trick of course is pulling it all off — and the Roger has done so, swimmingly.

The 194 guest rooms, designed by the New York–based Annette Jaffe, are reminders that Manhattan looks good in black and white: blown up black-and-white photographs of the city hang on bright white walls, downy white comforters adorn custom black beds, plush white robes hang in the marble bathrooms…. There’s plenty of natural light to make it all glow. The executive rooms, with entrance foyers and comfy reading areas, feature views of Madison Avenue, but for leisurely city-gazing, the terrace rooms are tops. Private landscaped balconies ranging from fifty to three hundred square feet make excellent urban perches.

Down at street level, too, there’s plenty to take in. Whether Madison Avenue connotes business or pleasure may depend on whether you’re here to spend money or to make it — big-name shops and Midtown’s office buildings are both nearby. So is Madison Square Park, where you can wolf down a famous Shake Shack burger on a bench, or head indoors to a four-hour meal at one of the finest restaurants in town (Daniel Humm’s Eleven Madison Park). For something in between, the Roger’s own Parlour restaurant and lobby lounge is a strong contender. There’s nothing too out-there about it, just a stylish, well-designed space, expertly prepared New American cuisine, and well-crafted cocktails; done right, it’s a concept we’re happy to toast.

• 193 Rooms
• Style: Modern Design
• Atmosphere: Lively
• 1 Guest Review

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