New York’s finest: star stays in SoHo

Just in case yesterday’s sweetly mouthwatering NY ice-lolly postcard got you in the mood to book a trip to New York, we thought we’d give you a handy run-down of hotels within a lolly-stick’s throw of Popbar (not to mention brilliantly located – see our SoHo hotel map, right). Here’s Mr & Mrs Smith’s star-style SoHo hotel selection, with our pick of each hotel’s ’suite spot’…

CROSBY STREET HOTEL
Style Plucky charm
Setting Cobbled SoHo streets

A little slice of Blighty in the Big Apple, Kit Kemp’s first US outpost is like a gently eccentric romp through the bright prints department of an upscale haberdashery: her trademark combination of quirky art, striped upholstery, floral fabrics and bold colours brings elegant, intimate cheer to this warehouse-style hotel on Lafayette Street. There’s a great bar and restaurant, and the hotel even has its own private cinema (fancy screening your own premiere, anyone?).
Suite spot The charmingly named Meadow Suite opens out onto a private terrace garden; perfect for afternoon tea if you prefer a more private take on afternoon delights…

THE MERCER HOTEL
Style High jinks in luxury lofts
Setting Right to the very heart of it

Experience Manhattan-style loft living at one of New York’s hottest hotels – the Mercer takes clean-lined modern minimalism and ups the ante with super-service-oriented staff, discreetly slick decor and a raft of optional extras from private Pilates trainers to Guitar Hero sets. It’s an unusually restrained effort from the André Balazs school of hotels (compare the Mercer’s low-key luxe with the Standard NY’s ostentatious accessorising).
Suite spot The Penthouse Suite is suitably grand, with French doors opening onto a Juliet balcony, a kitchenette and acres of space – but we also love the compact (and thus more affordable) Studio rooms, with their tubs-for-two hidden behind folding screen doors.

SIXTY THOMPSON
Style Slick service, sharp style
Setting So SoHo

Quietly confident and sporting a well-worn (but never care-worn) combination of pared-down luxury and neutral decor with a hint of the Orient, 60 Thompson is a great place to base an NY sortie. Careful, though: 60 Thompson’s acclaimed Thai restaurant Kittichai and cocktail lounge Thom Bar may mean you end up spending more time back at base than out and about…
Suite spot The Thompson Suite has mosaic-tiled bathroom floors, a spacious living area with hi-tech shenanigans and a wet bar, plus views over the Manhattan skyline from a private balcony. Those of you whose pockets are not deep enough to foot the bill for the hotel’s best suite can still gaze out across New York from A60, Sixty Thompson’s rooftop bar.

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See more New York boutique hotels…