DESTINATION GPS
Quintessentially
New York
Quintessentially New York
At the legendary Soho Grand Hotel, the difference is in the details.
As the “rule” goes, you’re not a true New Yorker until you’ve lived here for 10 years. After 20, the city takes root in your soul, becoming part of your DNA. And 30 years? That’s the status of legends. In 1996, the Soho Grand Hotel opened along Soho’s southern edge: on West Broadway, between Grand and Canal. At that time, the neighborhood was transforming from avant-garde and artsy into upscale and fashionable. The Soho Grand became its first luxury hotel: “the hotel that made Soho grand,” as its tagline proclaims. That pioneering spirit endures today in the property’s industrial design—a glass-bottle staircase, cast-iron detailing—combined with romantic textures and moody lighting that nod to the Gilded Age. A recent renovation introduced new restaurants and guest rooms, including a collection of terrace suites with some of the best views in the city. Here, we share how the hotel’s magic comes to life.
Guest rooms are designed with thoughtful creativity.
Leather headboards, marble desks, deep wood accents, and wool throws lend to the industrial-chic design, while special touches include Frette linens, C.O. Bigelow bath products, and record players and vinyl upon request. Expansive window seating provides perfect perches to watch the city below.
The suites are next-level.
There are eight different suite styles, each one more indulgent than the last: one- and two-bedroom layouts, spacious living rooms, full cocktail bars, soaking tubs, personal Martin guitars and Marshall speakers, and shaded terraces with expansive city views. The Loft North Penthouse—with 1,600 square feet of space and a 1,200-foot stunner of a terrace—is larger than many New York apartments.
There are four vibey restaurants.
The Soho Diner serves breakfast through late-night snacks in a retro-cool space with coral leather booths, countertop seating, and a free jukebox (the burger and toasted marshmallow milkshake are the ultimate pair). The Grand Bar and Salon exudes old-school elegance with plush velvet seating, a classic menu (brioche french toast, chopped salads, steak frites), and an encyclopedic whiskey menu with 50 American varieties. The decadent Club Room channels a bygone supper club with nightly live performances and dishes like truffle fries, macaroni and cheese gratin, and a full caviar service. Tucked into a sprawling garden of tropical plants and indigo-dyed textiles, the open-air Gilligan’s brings the Hamptons downtown (from May through September) with lobster rolls, frozen watermelon margaritas, and a beachy setting.
The late-night scene is legendary.
This being the city that never sleeps, the Soho Grand’s venues stay lively well past midnight. The Grand Bar and Salon morphs into a bustling social hub, while Soho Diner’s late-night happy hour is a local secret. Meanwhile, the Club Room serves speakeasy glamour and perfect martinis well into the wee hours.
Pets are extremely welcome.
Few hotels in New York (or anywhere) are more welcoming to four-legged guests, with no extra fees, no weight restrictions, and no limit on how many you can bring. “Anything short of a horse is allowed,” one hotel staffer jokes. In-room amenities include pet bedding, bowls, and treats, while the beautifully landscaped Soho Grand Downtown Dog Park provides instant access to hotel guests and private membership to locals—nearly 4,000 are on the waitlist.
The annual New Year’s Eve party is a coveted ticket.
For 16 years, the hotel has hosted the Black and White Masquerade Ball, inspired by Truman Capote’s famed 1966 affair (attended by the likes of Andy Warhol, Frank Sinatra, Lauren Bacall, and hundreds more). Calling for black tie, masks, and endless pours of champagne, the Soho Grand bash makes its own history with every new year.
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