In my vast suite, brightened with panoramic windows, there’s a captivating neon light that’s shaped like the great state of Oklahoma. It blinks seductively on its shelf, a kind of clarion’s call to a sense of place. Leather and cowhide-sheathed furniture in mid-century modern shapes abound.
The mighty fine chair where I sit looks like something that might have been designed by Le Corbusier—and I wouldn’t doubt it. A sleek kitchen with the longest imaginable island/bar unfurls, dividing the cooking space from the capacious, elegant window and balcony-lined living room. And, my bed, covered with a cosseting white comforter—marshmallow-soft—invites.
The entire NOUN Hotel, a member of Marriott’s (somewhat) newly minted Tribute Portfolio, brandishes a slew of perfectly-placed art pieces, come hither furniture arrangements—even an evocative library in the airy lobby. Enter through the front doors to feel immediately festive—as if this is the final destination for a place you’ve always wanted to go.
To say I’m surprised to find this luxurious bolthole in diminutive Norman, Oklahoma is an understatement, though Norman, being a college town, has been cool from the get-go. Conceived by Managing Partner Scott Lambert as a swanky sanctum, the hotel fully succeeds.
Even its name matches the buzzy vibe.
As the story goes, Lambert, looking for an apt moniker, came up with NOUN to indicate North of University as a proud locational declaration—with the OU in the middle having the added bonus as the university’s own abbreviation. A design-centric hotel with lavish textures, artworks, and amenities, NOUN has party spaces aplenty, prime for celebrating football victories, and other occasions.
For football fans (thanks to its location near the stadium), art lovers for its aesthetics, and epicureans for its seasonal American fare, NOUN reigns as the cognoscenti’s stay in the Oklahoma City area.
Top Takeaways
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Rating: Four-Star
Food + Drink: NOUN Hotel boasts two riveting sipping and supping spots. Vibrant ONE Bar on the second floor serves burgers or salads and has a stellar cocktail menu. It’s the place for pre- or post-game fetes in a sophisticated environment. Rally Kitchen + Bar, which edges the lobby and spreads onto the sidewalk (like Oklahoma’s version of a Parisian cafe), serves farm-to-table, well-conceived American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Our Favorite Part of the Hotel: I loved how NOUN provided an urbane sanctuary, a place you wanted to cuddle into with a book, sip wine with a friend or work in the lobby. My suite overlooked the campus with its Cherokee Gothic architecture. The service was truly exemplary, something that cannot always be said of boutique hotels in smaller towns.
Amenities: Steps from the University of Oklahoma campus (OU), this luxurious hideaway offers accessible parking, a 24/7 fitness center, a rooftop sports bar, a private back patio with a 20-foot fireplace, event venues, an indoor library, and it welcomes pets.
What’s Nearby? Everything. The Campus Corner is the heart of the university, a striking melange of interconnected streets brimming with cafes, shops, bars, and galleries. Head to the well-to-do city of Oklahoma City to explore its Boathouse District, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (think: Georgia O’ Keefe, Dale Chihuly, and more), and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum—all located just lies15 minutes away. Outdoorsy types can Lake Thunderbird, Oklahoma’s only urban state park, offers various activities
Any personal neighborhood recs? Stash, Sandalwood & Sage, and Human Interaction are some of my favorite ships. For ice cream, don’t miss the The Ice Creamatory.
Rooms: 92 guest rooms, including two astonishing suites.
Pricing: Room rates start at $250/night
Closest Airpot: Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma City
