SoHo Grand Hotel – Hotel Review

Plenty of hotels have attempted to achieve the kind of magic that Soho Grand Hotel has managed since 1996. As one of New York’s first luxury boutique hotels, the midtown Manhattan property has the formula on lock, with a location in the beating heart of SoHo with industrial comfy, chic rooms and buzzy extras. Read on for the full review.

The property is vast, with a galaxy of trendy eateries and lofty lounge areas, pairing perfectly with grand suites that feel more like lofts than hotel rooms. If you want a taste of the Gilded Age in New York, this is your best bet.

Where is SoHo Grand Hotel? 

Just down from Canal Street on Broadway, the heart of SoHo. The closest subway station is Canal Street, and a cab (depending on traffic) could take you 45-80 minutes to JFK. To LaGuardia, the shortest ride time is around 25 minutes.

What’s near SoHo Grand Hotel?

Sandwiched between Tribeca, Greenwich Village and NoHo, you’re within walking distance of the Lower Manhattan people-watching paradise. Washington Square Park is a favourite for watching the world go by from a bench seat, as are the smattering of cafes sprinkled through nearby Greenwich Village (around 15 minutes). Keen to spot some celeb spotting? Stake out Balthazar, a known hub for the famous, less than 10 minutes walk away.

Room types 

Rustic, tactile and masculine, materials vary from leather to raw wood and exposed pipework-style lighting. Even in modestly-sized rooms, there are little luxuries: Frette linens and bathrobes, walk-in rainwater showers, C.O. Bigelow bath products and Nespresso machines. If you have the means to splurge, SoHo Grand has the goods. The question is, how high do you want to go? The Grand Terrace Suite is practically a pied-à-terre, with a separate living room, expansive bathroom with black subway tiles and tenement-printed wallpaper and, of course, a balcony with incredible views of SoHo.

Restaurants and bars 

Mood will determine your move towards sustenance. Casual meals will gravitate towards Soho Diner, which celebrates the eatery in both decor and menu, with banquette seating, mustard-coloured countertops and appetite-quashers such as mac and cheese. Gilligan’s is a festive spot for summer drinks, with a sprawling outdoor space and cocktails perfect for sunshine-drenched sipping. For more formal meetups, the serious-looking Club Room, with its velvet Chesterfield seating and dimmed lights. Opt for classics here: the grass-fed beef fillet should do the trick.

Travel for work

There’s ample space for business to be done at Soho Grand. If the in-room desks and wi-fi don’t suffice, there’s a selection of lounges for hosting client drinks and getting through emails. Private events are also bookable here, and the imposing spaces will offer a serious air to any discussion, or a Loft, with its incredible outdoor balcony space, will show anyone you mean business.

Gym

The third floor fitness centre has a lovely addition in a balcony for stretching with a view, along with a cluster of Techno Gym equipment. Free bikes are also available for guest use for three hours at a time. 

Accessibility   

Accessible rooms are available in two categories at SoHo Grand (SoHo King and Deluxe Corner). Both include facilities such as grab bars and wide doorways.   

What you need to know

There is an ‘amenity fee’ of USD$34.95 added to the nightly rate, which ‘covers’ wi-fi, bottled water, streaming services, a daily copy of The New York Times and a glass of champagne on arrival.

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