Hotel Giraffe by Library Hotel Collection
A NoMad rooftop garden near Union Square
About this hotel
Hotel Giraffe by Library Hotel Collection is a four-star property in NoMad, near Union Square, rated 9 out of 10 by recent guests. It keeps a rooftop garden a ten-minute walk from Union Square, which shapes the character of the stay more than any single amenity does. For a DreamWorks Water Park trip, this is honestly a New York City base rather than an on-site stay: American Dream and the Meadowlands sit across the Hudson, reached from here by NJ Transit bus, subway plus PATH, or a drive through the Lincoln or Holland Tunnel. Families traveling with toddlers or teens will find the neighbourhood itself does real work either side of the water park day, with restaurants, transit connections, and city sightseeing all close enough to fill a full day without ever touching a taxi. On balance, the rooftop garden is the strongest reason to linger here rather than treat the hotel as a pure overnight stop before or after the water park.
- Rooftop garden
- NoMad location
- Boutique character
Our take
This suits families who want a rooftop garden and boutique character within walking distance of Union Square. It suits fewer travelers wanting a large chain-hotel room count, since the boutique format here means fewer rooms overall during busy weeks. Book directly for the room configuration you need rather than relying on generic photos, since suite layouts vary more than star rating suggests across this list.
- ✓Book the rooftop garden time slot in advance if it matters to your stay, since access can be limited during busy periods.
- ✓Use the Union Square walk for a fast city errand before an early bus toward the Meadowlands.
- ✓Confirm room configuration for a family of four before booking during school holidays.
Why we love it
- Rooftop garden on site
- Ten minutes from Union Square
- 1920s-inspired photography decor
- Free WiFi throughout
Why guests love itI would choose Hotel Giraffe by Library Hotel Collection for a family that likes boutique character in NoMad. The four-star property has a rooftop garden and sits a ten-minute walk from Union Square, and guests rate it 9 out of 10. American Dream has no hotel of its own yet, so the DreamWorks Water Park day is a trip out to East Rutherford by bus, PATH or car. I would book it for a Manhattan stay with one separate park day.