The best boutique hotels in New York all have something special. Famed as the sister hotel to Hollywood’s legendary Chateau Marmont, The Mercer Hotel has had its fair share of scintillating stories and iconic moments since opening its doors in 1997. Located in the very heart of SoHo, the hotel attracts regulars such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Justin Timberlake and while we were staying, we also saw with our own eyes Zendaya walking out the main door and Jay-Z having a drink at the lobby. But if you think this impressive line-up of famous clients calls for glitter and an ostentatious display of wealth, then you’re in for a surprise.

We review The Mercer Hotel

A SoHo loft-like atmosphere

Before being turned into a hotel, this 1890 Romanesque revival building was home to loft apartments and artists’ studios. The interior décor by late French architect and designer Christian Liaigre is a chic understated tribute to the building’s history and its neighbourhood.

The lobby the mercer Hotel
Be sure to spend some quality time in the lobby

I felt at home from the very minute I entered lobby, decked out in upholstered lounge-seating. I actually recommend grabbing a book from the bookshelves, taking a seat, and ordering a cappuccino or a Bellini (depending on the time of day) along with a New-York bagel with cream cheese, and spending some time in the said lobby. It’s a unique opportunity to capture the essence of SoHo’s lifestyle but also your chance for celebrity spotting.

The 74 rooms and suites are designed to look and feel like SoHo’s lofts and if your view of a five-star hotel’s room is that it should come with a display of opulent fabrics and an extravaganza of luxurious amenities, then you’ve checked into the wrong place.

The Mercer Hotel SoHo Suite
The SoHo Suite is made up of interconnecting loft suites

Think low-key luxe in the form of large windows boasting unrivalled views of SoHo’s luxury shops and red-brick buildings, plush sofas, cushioned benches, minimalist bathrooms, and bespoke beauty products.

Impeccable service

Service and discretion are the hotel’s core values. Values appreciated by its most famous clients, but also non-famous demanding travellers just like me. A welcome word such as “it’s a pleasure to have you back”, a free cab trip to a partner gym on Chelsea Piers (there’s also a closer partner gym which you can walk to), a booking at a close-by blow-dry salon, a document printed for you and brought to your room in an elegant craft envelope, an umbrella placed in your hand on a rainy day are all just some of the little details that truly made a difference on my last stay.

What’s more…

There’s plenty of excellent restaurants which I can recommend in the area. Make a breakfast booking at Sadelle’s and order the house salmon and the salmon salad to go with your bagel, do not miss the opportunity to sip on a Bellini and sample the decadent Pasta alla Cipriani at Cipriani Downtown and save some space for Michelin-starred pasta at Don Angie or award-winning tapas at Casa Mono. You’ll thank me later.

And if you’re a crazy foodie just like I am, you’ll be happy to hear that The Mercer is also home to The Mercer Kitchen, a Jean-Georges Restaurant. Here you’ll be treated to market-driven fare and Manhattan staples such as the truffle pizza alongside a little bit more celebrity spotting in case you didn’t have enough.

Discover more about The Mercer

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