SIXTY SoHo

Although SoHo’s shopping certainly draws hordes of locals and tourists alike, the area only has a few hotels. Most of them -- The Mercer, SoHo Grand, The James, and SIXTY SoHo -- are stylish, expensive, and popular with celebrities and executives from the fashion and entertainment industries. In a city in which the hottest new club or restaurant is lucky to have a six-month shelf life before reinvention is necessary, SIXTY SoHo has managed to stay relevant since its initial inception (formerly 60 Thompson), through sleek but never flashy interiors, attentive but unpretentious service, and a hip restaurant/ bar scene. And so the reputation continues (and evolves), after a 2015 multimillion dollar renovation. 

The 13-story tower perfectly fits its neighborhood of brick tenement buildings and cast-iron lofts, while the mood-lit lobby emanates expensive SoHo hipness. Set on the second floor, the lobby is presented as a large open living area with velvet Chesterfield lounge and bench seating, Midcentury-style marble-topped coffee tables, cowhide rugs, and an eclectic mix of ornaments alongside neat piles of artsy coffee table books. Black-and-white photos, and contemporary artworks by British artist, Harland Miller, adorn gray wood-panel walls. Huge cast iron windows showcase the tenement buildings.

Between the A60 rooftop bar, The Gordon Bar, and the hip Bistrot Leo restaurant, each dining/imbibing space embodies its own hip and contemporary vibe that warrants a cocktail crawl within the hotel. Bistrot Leo's cozy garden terrace seating flanks the hotel entrance, and evolves indoors with caramel woods, deep orange leathers, and a nostalgic soundtrack -- think David Bowie and LCD Soundsystem. Hidden behind the lobby, The Gordon Bar’s minimalist, moody dark-wood interior is offset by its illuminated top-shelf liquor bottles. A60 is the rooftop open-air affair ringed with colorful cushions and landscaped shrubs -- flaunting marvelous views over the city. The hotel typically attracts a well-heeled tourist crowd of adults. 

SIXTY SoHo sits on narrow Thompson Street which runs between West Broadway and Sullivan Street -- just beyond the throngs of shoppers indulging in the area's most upscale boutiques and charismatic restaurants. Within a four-block radius you'll find Dominique Ansel Bakery, Zara, Black Tap (for Insta-inspired shakes), and the Apple store. The neighboring areas of Chinatown, Greenwich Village, and NoLIta, add to the seemingly unlimited dining, drinking, and boutique shopping on offer. Walkable sites include Washington Square Park (11 minutes), the New Museum (15 minutes), and the Freedom Tower (23 minutes) but most of NYC's uptown tourist sites will require a cab or subway ride. A couple of subway stations are located in easy walking distance, offering easy access up and down town. The nearest stations include Canal Street for the 1, 2, 5 (nine minutes), and Spring Street station for the A, C, E (eight minutes). It's about a 45-minute drive to JFK Airport and 30 minutes to LaGuardia from the hotel. 

The rooms and suites (including a Loft layout) -- are tasteful and sleekly appointed, but not flashy. The chic decor vibe established in common areas flows into rooms, where a blend of rich textures and tones (dark woods with deep grays and beige) complement clean-lined pieces for a distinctly modern, masculine feel. Lovely wall mirrors enhance the sense of space, and subdued white-framed Harland Miller artworks add subtle contrast. The luxurious Sferra linens dress comfortable beds. In-room features include iHome clock radios, free Wi-Fi, and Samsung flat-screen TVs with cable channels. Minibars are nicely stocked with gourmet options, but the prices are extortionate. Usual hotel trimmings include magazines, safes, irons, ironing boards, hairdryers, and umbrellas. Layouts increase in size with category -- the Sixty Loft spans an expansive1800 square feet, but even the most basic option (Queen Superior Room), coming in at 300 square feet, is spacious by NYC standards. Suites offer a choice of separate living areas, and bi-level loft layouts, and some come with terraces and sweeping city views. Large bathrooms are dressed to impress in chocolate brown marble with white mosaic marble floors, big pedestal basins, shower/bath combos, individual Ren toiletries, and super comfortable Sferra robes that are hard to leave behind. Large windows let in lots of natural light, even in lower category rooms, which is a rarity for NYC, and some rooms (particularly higher levels) enjoy local area or city views. Rooms seem to be well protected from any street noise, but hallway activity and music from the rooftop bar can cause disturbances. 

While oozing hipness and sophistication via its three bars and restaurant, SIXTY SoHo is low on extras -- banking on the incredible location to keep guests happy and entertained. The restaurant and two stylish bars pretty much comprise the features on offer here. Located on the ground floor -- with indoor and outdoor terrace seating -- Bistrot Leo serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a focus on Italian fare. Located behind the lobby, The Gordon Bar offers a full bar and snacks and a choice of bar or lounge seating. Rooftop bar, A60, is open seasonally, with incredible views across the city. Twenty-four-hour room service is available. The hotel doesn't have a business center, but it provides printing and faxing services at the front desk to guests who need them. Located on the second floor, the lobby serves as a sleek lounge-like area with plenty of tables and elegant lounge settings for guests to work, read the free daily New York Times, or peruse one of the many coffee table books that decorate the space. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the hotel.