21st Century Martha

What was once a broken down hotel in New York City’s Wholesale District, The Martha Washington is now reimagined as a chic boutique hotel in NoMad, one of Manhattan’s fastest growing neighborhoods. Built in 1903 to house unmarried women, this revival opened recently with new interiors by architect Annabelle Selldorf, which was influenced by the spirit of large, open spaces at the turn of the century. She updated the Renaissance Revival landmark with a walnut palette, blue tile floors and tons of glass to offset the space’s gothic fluted columns.

Blocks from Bryant Park and the Fashion District, the guest rooms at The Martha Washington offer plush bedding, sleek bathrooms, lavish amenities along with the newest restaurant from Danny Meyer and Union Square Hospitality group. Marta, a cavernous space on the ground floor of the 29th Street hotel, serves rustic Italian food from chef Nick Anderer and the Maialino team – Meyer’s other restaurant inside the Gramercy Park Hotel. Anderer has one of the most elaborate grill contraptions in the city and his ovens churn out thin-crusted Roman-style pizzas. The Marta team is also cooking dishes like slow-roasted lamb and beer-brined half chicken directly over a wood fire. This Martha Washington is light years ahead from that Martha of another century. www.chelseahotels.com