From left: An interior shot of the NoMad and one of the Jade Hotel

There’s been a transition in the boutique hotel industry, according to the Wall Street Journal. Whereas in the ’80s these sparsely decorated properties were known for their nightlife scenes, the latest boutique hotels in New York City — including the NoMad, the Jade Hotel and the Refinery — are offering luxe décor with more of a home-like feeling. [more]

From left: a guest room at the Hyatt Union Square and a guest room at the Jade Hotel

Two new hotels are slated to open this spring in Union Square, though they come as delayed debuts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Crain’s reported. One of them is the 113-room, 18-story Jade Hotel, which was preparing for its peak-season opening when Sandy made landfall; the other is the 178-room, 11-story Hyatt Union Square. They will open in March and April, respectively. [more]