Want to book a hotel room in Manhattan? My heart goes out to you, and your wallet.
Videos by TravelAwaits
The city is only 22 square miles, and it’s stuffed with millions of residents—along with an ungodly amount of hotels. None is exactly budget-friendly. Worse, it can be hard to tell the duds from the stand-outs from a few photos and online reviews.
That creates challenges for those who want to stay in the city (aka Manhattan, in case you’re new to NYC neighborhood lingo) and guarantee a great experience.
In Manhattan, that translates to semi-affordable rooms with a solid location and reputation. Amenities like great views, indoor pools, and game rooms are much, much harder to come by.
That being said… You can find drool-worthy hotels across the city. In my personal opinion, the best neighborhood to splurge is SoHo. You’ll recognize its streets from media of all stripes, and be close to some insanely trendy shops, streets, and experiences.
SoHo also puts you close to more affordable dining, shopping, and activities in the surrounding areas, including Chinatown, Little Italy, Greenwich, and more. You also have major subway lines crisscrossing through SoHo and its surrounding neighborhoods.
In short, you can afford to splurge on boutique hotels in SoHo, so long as you’re okay with penny-pinching elsewhere. In some cases, you might not even be overspending on room rates. Let’s dig into the best boutique hotels in SoHo for your next Big Apple adventure.
9 classic boutique hotels in SoHo
- ModernHaus SoHo
- SoHo Grand Hotel
- The Mercer Hotel
- Arlo SoHo
- Roxy Hotel New York
- Crosby Street Hotel
- The Broome
- The Dominick
- The Manner
Boutique hotels in SoHo worth the splurge
ModernHaus SoHo
Stay smack in the center of SoHo at this landmark boutique hotel. The interior is modern-chic, but the real star of the show is the rooftop pool and the stylish bars located inside the hotel. Many rooms also have stellar views of the neighborhood.
Book with Hotels, Expedia, or Booking.
SoHo Grand Hotel
Renowned as a ‘lifestyle hotel’ that caters hand and foot to its guests, SoHo Grant Hotel is a visually opulent and stylish hotel. The rooms are a bit larger than other boutique hotels in SoHo, in case you prefer some space to breathe. Just know that SoHo Grant Hotel hosts DJ nights—which could be the reason you book a stay if you love to dance, or why you might go elsewhere, if you prefer a quiet stay.
Book with Hotels, Expedia, or Booking.
The Mercer Hotel
This small hotel has 73 guest rooms in a Romanesque building and a focus on luxury trappings. Inside, you’ll find an Italian restaurant that offers 24/7 room service, a calm Japanese-style garden, and in-room perks like deep soaking tubs. As a landmark establishment, expect to be treated like royalty at The Mercer Hotel.
Arlo SoHo
Arlo SoHo is a hyper-trendy boutique hotel that specializes in ‘micro rooms’. Though small, the rooms are wonderfully optimized with storage and comfort in mind. Plus, Arlo SoHo has four on-site restaurants and bars to explore, along with unique meeting spaces that make it ideal for young creative professionals.
Book with Hotels, Expedia, or Booking.
Roxy Hotel New York
This iconic luxury boutique hotel is renowned for its Art Deco and Regency architecture and features. Plus, it has other, more hidden perks inside, including its jazz club, arthouse cinema, upstairs terrace, and oyster bar. Just know that it’s on the border with SoHo and TriBeCa, meaning you won’t be smack in the middle of those lovely cobblestone streets.
Book with Hotels, Expedia, or Booking.
Crosby Street Hotel
Known for its clean, modern design (from Kit Kemp) and a luxury screening room, the Crosby Street Hotel is a classic pick that’s known for its excellent management. Though not quite as edgy as other boutique hotels in SoHo, it has all the basics you could hope for, and then some, including a private garden, drawing room, and a swanky little bar.
Book with Booking.
The Broome
Dubbed a ‘private hideaway’, this boutique hotel is small (with only 14 rooms), exclusive, and home to unique and memorable spaces like its Moroccan-tiled interior courtyard. There’s also a farm-to-table breakfast service in the mornings. Just know that, given its small size, you might hear noise from other guests.
Book with Hotels, Expedia, or Booking.
The Dominick
This massive 46-floor hotel offers some of the best views of New York City. The hotel has two great restaurants to pick from, along with a seasonal outdoor pool and terrace. (There’s even a spa!) The Dominick is sleek, sophisticated, and way more spacious than other picks on this list. If you’re looking for a more traditional luxury stay, book a room here.
Book with Hotels, Expedia, or Booking.
The Manner by Hyatt Unbound
I’m a bit of a stickler when it comes to ‘boutique’ hotels. For me, the term means that there’s no large chain owner, like Hyatt, in this case. (I’m less concerned with room count, although that’s also a factor that defines boutique hotels.)
That being said, I really enjoy Hyatt Unbound properties—and it wouldn’t be right to talk about boutique hotels in SoHo without mentioning The Manner.
Its design is iconic and colorful, making you want to spend time in its lush communal spaces, while its customer service is professional and warm. If you’re looking for pure SoHo vibes, The Mercer is a seamless extension of the trendy streets outside its doors. As one guest put it, ‘they’re not trying to be cool, they just are.’
