I’m typing this from my Loft Studio at The Mercer Lodge in SoHo, the place I’ve simply spent six nights. With solely 73 rooms and suites, The Mercer is considered one of New York’s most discreet boutique inns. Its unmarked entrance, minimalist design, and Sartiano’s restaurant set the tone: understated, fashionable, and extra about delicate luxurious than flash.

On this Mercer Lodge evaluate, I’ll share what stood out throughout my keep, what may very well be higher, and the small print it is best to know earlier than reserving.

The Artwork of Arrival: If You Know, You Know

The Mercer expertise begins earlier than you even step inside. There isn’t a grand cover, no glittering signal, no fanfare. The truth is, there isn’t a signage in any respect.

I already knew the place the lodge was, having been to SoHo many instances, however a first-time visitor may simply drive previous with out realizing it. The one clue is a doorman in a lavender polo and slacks, who steps ahead when lodge visitors are noticed. This understated arrival is intentional: The Mercer presents itself as a personal residence relatively than a spectacle, mixing seamlessly into the neighborhood.

The doorway opens right into a serene foyer designed by Christian Liaigre, with deep sofas, heat lighting, and a curated library of artwork and design books. I even seen board video games tucked behind the entrance desk, a small however telling element that reinforces the residential, “make your self at residence” environment.

Location: The Cobblestone Coronary heart of SoHo

The Mercer’s location is, for my part, excellent. It sits on the nook of Mercer and Prince Streets within the coronary heart of SoHo, considered one of New York’s most iconic neighborhoods.

Mercer Road itself is a comparatively quiet, one-way cobblestone lane off of the busier West Houston Road. Prince Road carries a livelier buzz with its outlets and eating places (and extra individuals).

One of many joys of staying right here is how naturally it encourages you to reside like an area. Inside a five-minute stroll are two of New York’s most well-known bagel outlets (Pop Up Bagels and Leon’s Bagels), and bringing them again to my room every morning turned a small ritual. I usually seen individuals having fun with numerous well-known takeout on the foyer tables.

The Mercer is in the course of a number of SoHo luxurious boutiques, the eating places of Nolita, the galleries of Tribeca, and the appeal of Greenwich Village. It is a perfect launchpad for exploring Decrease Manhattan and is straightforward for NYU dad and mom for the reason that gymnasium and different buildings are additionally situated on Mercer Road.

Selecting Your SoHo Loft: Rooms & Suites at The Mercer

The Mercer’s lodging are designed to really feel like a traditional New York loft: excessive ceilings, outsized home windows, and completely proportioned areas that emphasize consolation as a lot as fashion.

Facilities in All Lodging

Each room and suite consists of:

• Espresso service on request, with Nespresso machines and contemporary milk
• Complimentary minibar with mushy drinks and snacks, replenished day by day (I cherished this)
• Dyson hairdryer in each room
• Luxurious tub merchandise, together with Mercer’s personal line and Dr. Barbara Sturm collaboration
• Snug beds wearing exceptionally crisp, high-thread-count sheets and thick duvets
• 24-hour in-room eating from Sartiano’s full menu
• Day by day housekeeping and turn-down service
• Complimentary gymnasium passes to a close-by high-end health membership

Visitor Rooms (for solo vacationers or {couples})

The entry-level rooms are compact however polished, beginning at 250 sq. toes.

• Courtyard Room(about 250 sq. ft.) faces the tranquil bamboo backyard.
• Mercer Room (about 280 sq. ft.) overlooks cobblestoned Mercer Road.
• Mercer Room Deluxe (about 300 sq. ft.) provides extra respiratory room with two massive home windows.

Studios & Lofts (extra space, king beds)

Studios start at 350 sq. toes with a separate sitting space, whereas Deluxe Studios are a step up in measurement with views of both Prince Road, Mercer Road, or the courtyard. The Loft Studio—my room kind—provides greater than 500 sq. toes and actually seems like a New York loft, with ample pure mild by big home windows and a beneficiant format.

Suites (top-floor or particular layouts)

The Loft Suite, at 675 sq. toes, has a spacious residing space and grand arched home windows, with some models that includes fireplaces. Bigger one-bedroom choices embrace the Nook Loft, Penthouse Loft, and Courtyard Loft, every round 950 sq. toes, providing distinctive options like panoramic views, a Juliet balcony, or a personal terrace.

Two-Bed room Choices (for households and teams)

These configurations hyperlink two rooms into an apartment-style format. Choices vary from a Deluxe Studio paired with a Loft Studio (about 935 sq. ft.) to expansive top-floor SoHo Suites, new Nook Suites, and Penthouse or Courtyard combos that embrace kitchenettes and, in some circumstances, fireplaces.

Inside a Loft Studio: My Dwelling for a Week

The Loft Studio was perfect for my keep, particularly since I used to be serving to my daughter transfer into her NYU dorm and juggling much more baggage than typical (we had stuff all over the place). At 510 sq. toes, it absorbed the chaos of bins and luggage with out ever feeling cramped.

The twin closets—a rarity in New York—proved invaluable, and the extra drawers, bench, and desk gave the area a residential really feel. It felt much less like a lodge room and extra like a well-designed metropolis condo.

Round My Loft

The room additionally featured a big flat-screen TV (I’m guessing it’s round 40 inches), environment friendly and quiet air-con, and a ceiling fan, which we didn’t want to make use of. The ground-to-ceiling curtains have been glorious, offering near-total blackout when absolutely closed, guaranteeing a darkish, restful atmosphere for sleep.

Throughout a sizzling summer time, I appreciated with the ability to seize a small Pellegrino or Food plan Coke with out being charged. There have been additionally loads of snacks like popcorn, cookies, and sweet that we may take pleasure in. You’ll be able to ask for as a lot Saratoga nonetheless bottled water within the fairly blue glass bottles as you want.

The Toilet: A Sanctuary with a Quirk

The lavatory carried that very same sense of area. A wider-than-usual, deep soaking tub (with salts and oils prepared) and separate walk-in bathe anchored the design, with plush towels and complimentary tub salts ready.

The one disadvantage was the self-importance: counter area was scarce, and whereas there was a magnified mirror, I’d have most popular a lighted one for make-up. A set of shutters above the bathtub opens the tub to the bed room, which appears stylish however compromises sound privateness, so I saved them closed.

I did like The Mercer branded particular person tub facilities within the bathe, however since I’ve thick hair, subsequent time I’d take into account bringing my very own. The physique lotion was superior, and I appreciated the container with cotton swabs, and so forth. in addition to the toothbrushes.

I forgot to take a photograph of the bathe space, nevertheless it’s a pleasant walk-in bathe with good stress.

Sleep, Consolation & Quiet

My Loft Studio confronted away from Mercer Road, looking onto a quiet courtyard and a residential constructing. The view was unremarkable, so we saved the curtains closed for privateness, however the profit was a profoundly quiet room.

I heard zero road noise, a uncommon and valuable commodity in New York Metropolis. Rooms dealing with the cobblestone Mercer Road or the two-way Prince Road do are inclined to expertise the town’s ambient buzz. You will have to plan your room choice accordingly. Nonetheless, I at all times convey earplugs to New York Metropolis as a result of this can be a threat in almost each lodge.

The king-sized mattress was very snug, leaning in direction of agency relatively than overly mushy. I appreciated the thicker, luxurious cover. My solely critique is with the pillows, which I discovered to be a bit too mushy for my style. Subsequent time, I’d observe my very own recommendation and ask housekeeping for a number of additional pillows, which might clear up that. I slept very well right here each night time.

Eating & Drinks: The Sartiano’s Scene

One among The Mercer’s biggest strengths is its culinary program. The lodge is residence to Sartiano’s, a contemporary Italian restaurant that has turn into a eating vacation spot for New Yorkers as a lot as for lodge visitors.

Three Distinct Atmospheres

You’ll be able to benefit from the Sartiano’s menu outdoors of your loft in 3 ways:

• Sartiano’s Café
  That is the place visitors linger over breakfast, informal lunches, or an aperitif. My daughter and I spent a number of stress-free afternoons right here on the street-side tables, with me sipping rosé and sharing appetizers — a setting that felt equally pure for people-watching because it did for catching up after an extended day.
• Foremost Eating Room (Downstairs)
  The extra formal eating room is hidden under road degree, accessed by stairs or, in the event you’re within the lodge already, through an elevator and a dramatic entry of metallic curtains. Designed by Studio Sofield, it resembles a recent Tuscan wine cellar, with uncovered brick, Carrara marble, and an open kitchen. The environment was buzzing: loud, energetic, and each bit the glamorous New York hotspot.
• The Foyer
  I discovered myself right here with my laptop on a number of events on this area reserved for lodge visitors. One disadvantage is that the servers don’t patrol this space with as a lot frequency.

Should-Order Dishes

Throughout my keep, every part we tried was glorious, with a number of standouts:

• Caviar Cannoli – a signature amuse-bouche: tiny cannoli crammed with mascarpone and topped with caviar, memorable each for the style and its Instagram-ready presentation.
• Ricotta sourdough toast topped with marinated cherry tomatoes – easy, contemporary, and addictive.
• Yellowtail crudo – shiny, clear flavors that really feel very of-the-moment.
• Basic Caesar salad – crisp, completely balanced, and a reminder {that a} well-done staple can nonetheless impress.
• Meatballs & Pastas – the restaurant’s most talked-about dishes, impressed by household recipes however reimagined with a contemporary twist.

In-Room Eating

In-room eating is obtainable 24 hours a day, supplied by Sartiano’s. It’s a wide selection and scrumptious. We solely ordered breakfast as soon as by it, as a result of the meals within the restaurant areas comes out relatively shortly.

(I attempted to pre-arrange the breakfast order for supply the night time earlier than, nevertheless it didn’t arrive on time. I needed to name and observe up on it.)

A Summertime Gelato Cart

I imply how cool (actually) is that this on a sizzling and humid day in New York Metropolis. I noticed lots of people roaming SoHo make the most of this enjoyable daytime deal with.

A Considerate Welcome Amenity

On arrival, we discovered a personalised amenity ready in our Loft Studio: an overflowing fruit bowl with pears, apples, grapes, cherries, and kumquats; a martini glass of gummy worms for my daughter; a fragile Ladurée cookie for me; and bottled waters. It was beneficiant, elegant, and deeply appreciated.

My solely disappointment? Housekeeping cleared the fruit bowl the very subsequent day, lengthy earlier than we’d had the possibility to complete it. A small misstep in what was in any other case a considerate gesture.

Wellness & Elevated Facilities

• Non-public Exercise Room: A small 24-hour health room is obtainable by appointment. Visitors additionally obtain complimentary entry to a close-by luxurious gymnasium for a broader tools choice.
• Dr. Barbara Sturm Mercer Facial: A 60-minute remedy with anti-inflammatory therapeutic massage, scalp therapeutic massage, and red-light remedy for that signature “SturmGlow.”
• Cultural Entry: The Mercer provides invitation-only entry to Zero Bond, an unique downtown members’ membership for many who need curated cultural immersion past the lodge.

The Mercer Service Type: Discreetly On Hand

Service at The Mercer is considered one of its defining traits, and it’s vital to know the philosophy earlier than reserving. If you’re a traveler who enjoys being doted on, this isn’t the fitting match. The Mercer doesn’t function like a 4 Seasons, the place employees appear to look out of skinny air to anticipate your each want.

As an alternative, the service right here is greatest described as skilled, environment friendly, and discreetly obtainable. Workers are there if you need them, however in any other case fade into the background, leaving you with the sensation of residing in your personal SoHo residence. I did should ask for issues like replenishing of my Nespresso pods, as this wasn’t routinely finished with housekeeping service, and as soon as my wine didn’t arrive with my lunch. And, I needed to flag down servers a number of instances in The Foyer. These are all pretty minor issues, however you do have to ask for issues typically.

This strategy aligns completely with the lodge’s minimalist, insider ethos. Hallways are hushed, interactions are polished, and extraordinarily pleasant. It by no means feels understaffed—simply deliberately unobtrusive.

One factor I cherished was that after a server had my room quantity, I by no means needed to signal a examine. An computerized 20% gratuity is included, and also you’re free to depart if you want. It’s seamless and really “New York”—excellent for a clientele that values time and privateness over small courtesies like reviewing the invoice on the desk. (The draw back is that that you must belief that your invoice is appropriate.)

Is The Mercer Lodge Good for Households?

The Mercer is greatest suited to households with older youngsters or youngsters relatively than these with very younger youngsters. Throughout my almost week-long keep, I seen a number of households, however none with toddlers or infants.

The true consideration for households is room construction. Most traditional rooms and studios have a strict most occupancy of two, making connecting setups much less of a comfort and extra of a necessity for teams of three or extra.

We had initially booked a Deluxe Studio and Loft Studio Connecting set (till my husband needed to keep residence with the canine, so we dropped the Deluxe Studio). They’re positioned facet by facet, outer-connecting, that means a single, lockable outer door closes off a small non-public lobby that accommodates the doorways to every room, creating a real two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo.

Whereas The Mercer doesn’t have devoted youngsters’ programming, golf equipment, or play areas, complimentary cribs and rollaways can be found upon request, topic to room class limits. For the fitting household—these with older youngsters who admire fashion, area, and the placement—it might probably work.

Remaining Verdict: Who Is The Mercer Lodge Good For?

I can say with confidence that this lodge isn’t for everybody, and that’s exactly its power. It’s excellent for the unbiased, style-conscious traveler, and VIPs who:

• Values location and environment – Somebody who desires to reside like a SoHo native.
• Appreciates design and structure – A visitor who prefers Christian Liaigre’s minimalist loft interiors and the authenticity of a landmark cast-iron constructing over conventional grandeur.
• Prefers discreet service – Privateness-first vacationers who need employees obtainable when wanted, however in any other case unobtrusive.
• Is a foodie – Visitors who see a James Beard-driven restaurant as integral to their keep, not simply an add-on.
• Travels solo, as a pair, or with older youngsters – Households could make glorious use of the connecting-room configurations, whereas {couples} and solo vacationers will thrive within the residential, insider vibe.

For me, it was the best selection offering the right mix of area, fashion, and placement. I cherished my room and my expertise, and I’ll completely e book it once more. You do want to order as quickly as your dates. I’ve already checked two weekends I should be in NYC, and the entire lodge is offered out.

Make Reservations with VIP Facilities

Our company, Cadence, has a particular partnership with The Mercer Lodge in that we are able to provide Virtuoso-style facilities to our bookings. These embrace:

Please use our lodge request type, and we are able to affirm charges. They would be the similar as what you see on the lodge’s web site, plus the above facilities.