Soho Grand Hotel, New York

Location

In SoHo, cast iron detailing covers sprawling artists’ lofts while its sidewalks are home to galleries, boutiques, atmospheric bars and excellent restaurants. Rooms come with an iPad preloaded with a neighbourhood guide so you can discover hidden street markets or temporary exhibitions such as the New York Earth Room, covered quite literally in dirt. Count the streets down to the ferry ports that take visitors to Liberty and Ellis Island or head north to Central Park, the Empire State Building and Times Square.

Accommodation

Carefully thought out guest-rooms and suites feature custom furnishings and high-end fixtures – think 21-inch iMacs, preloaded iPods and Samsung smart televisions. However, this is balanced with nods to SoHo’s legacy with industrial inspired features including copper machinist tables and concrete ceilings. For those raking Manhattan skylines look to the exquisite penthouse lofts, complete with fine-grain Italian leathers, floor-to-ceiling windows and ebonised hardwood highlights all looking out to downtown New York.

Dining

At the kitchen’s helm, Elliot Cunniff has a refined eye for modern American cuisine. The Grand Bar’s leather stools are packed nightly as bartenders serve a selection of 50 rare American whiskeys and a full range of cocktails. In terms of food, expect such gourmet offerings as burgundy beef cheek, Dijon crusted Atlantic halibut and diver scallops served with Israeli couscous and lemon puree. For a more residential feel, the Club Room is the perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee and the paper or, come the evening, a lively night in with DJs and live jazz performances. It also serves a selection of foodie bites including ‘truffled’ potatoes, lobster rolls and steak tartar.

Facilities

Affectionately known as ‘SoHo’s living room’ the hotel’s Salon serves a lounge food and drink menu from 7 AM. Guests can relax on plush couches and oversized armchairs set among vaulted ceilings and soaring masonry; all complete with West Broadway views. There’s also in-room dining available from The Soho’s restaurants while the well-equipped fitness room and complimentary cycle hire give you the chance to burn off the night’s indulgence.