When it comes to New York City neighborhoods, there are hundreds and hundreds of them, spread out across 304.6 square miles in five boroughs. With such a selection, it’s hard to pick the “trendiest,” but if we were hard pressed to make a choice, we’d have to go with SoHo. Today the downtown neighborhood is well-known as a shopper’s haven, with hip boutiques and major chains lining the streets, but it wasn’t always so trendy. SoHo’s massive cast-iron buildings were once home to warehouses and factories, but when those industrial tenants left the neighborhood, artists moved in, drawn to the lofty spaces with wide windows. As such, art galleries sprouted up, though eventually the art world moved uptown to Chelsea, and the neighborhood took on the fashionable identity it has today. If you’re looking to stay in SoHo on your next trip to New York City, consider booking a room at one of these nine great hotels
1. Crosby Street Hotel
Built on the site of a former parking lot in 2008, the Crosby Street Hotel is a newer construction that still gives off the industrial vibe of older SoHo buildings. One of the perks of a new build? The structure has been awarded Gold LEED certification, meaning it meets strict environmental standards — but it doesn’t sacrifice style in order to do so. The swanky 86-room boutique property has spacious accommodations with floor-to-ceiling windows, the hip Crosby Bar, and even a small garden.
2. The James New York
The James is popular with locals as well as out of town guests, thanks to its David Burke–helmed restaurants and its buzzy rooftop, complete with the Jimmy cocktail lounge and a pool with stunning views. The hotel pays homage to SoHo’s more artistic days, with an in-house curator filling its spaces with works by both up-and-coming and established artists.
3. Mercer Hotel
The sister property to Los Angeles’ Chateau Marmont, the Mercer has 75 well appointed, loft-like guest rooms decorated by interior designer Christian Liaigre housed within a Romanesque revival building. It’s also home to the Mercer Kitchen, a restaurant by Jean-Georges Vongerichten — guests can enjoy 24-hour room service from it.
4. Soho Grand Hotel
Posh decor? Check. Celebrity clientele? Check. Buzzing restaurants and bars? Check. Free goldfish? You betcha. (Yes, guests can request a “goldfish team member” be brought to their room during their stay.) Soho Grand is truly one of the quintessential establishments in the neighborhood — in fact, it was the first luxury boutique hotel to be built in the area.
5. NoMo SoHo
Located on the quiet, cobblestoned Crosby Street, this 270-room hotel has an aesthetic that blends nostalgia with modernism (hence the portmanteau “NoMo”). While the romantic decor takes its cues from the 1946 Jean Cocteau film “La Belle et la Bete” — that’s “Beauty and the Beast” in English — there are high-tech amenities like large flat-screen TVs and iPads, as well as state-of-the-art machines in the fitness center.
6. Arlo SoHo
With space at a premium in New York City, micro-hotels have popped up all across the city, including the Arlo SoHo. Though the rooms may be small, some have massive outdoor terraces that are sometimes outfitted with an outdoor shower — neither of which are a common feature at local hotels. Guests can mingle with locals in the hotel’s restaurant and two bars, which are popular with the after-work crowd.
7. SIXTY SoHo
The nondescript brick façade of this hotel might seem unassuming, but behind it is a bohemian-chic hot spot with a residential vibe. Of particular note are the hotels drinking and dining options: Italian restaurant Sessanta, the Gordon Bar in the lobby, and the season rooftop A60 lounge, which is only open to members and hotel guests. SIXTY Soho is also a favorite of celebrities, so you might just be able to rub elbows with A-listers here.
8. Hotel Hugo
Architect Marcello Pozzi went with a subtle, modern maritime theme when designing Hotel Hugo — fitting, since many of the 122 rooms have Hudson River views. Those same views can be taken in from the hotel’s two swanky rooftop venues, Bar Hugo Rooftop and Azul on the Rooftop, the latter of which is only open seasonally. There’s also the adjacent restaurant Il Principe Cucina Italiana, which is connected to the lobby.
9. Trump SoHo New York
All politics aside, Trump SoHo is one of the top hotels in the neighborhood. Unsurprisingly, guests can expect all-around luxury, from attentive service to custom-made Bellino bed linens. Plus, the hotel is one of the only ones in SoHo to have an on-site spa. But, of course, the decision to book a stay here is completely up to you.
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