Founded in London in 1995, Soho House began as a private members’ club for people working in creative industries. In 2003, the brand opened an outpost in New York City’s Meatpacking District. While the club functions primarily as a social hub for a well-heeled and even more well-groomed crowd thanks to its all-day dining restaurant, exclusive bar, 44-seat cinema, and rooftop pool and lounge, it also maintains 30 elegantly appointed hotel rooms that are open to non-members.
While you won’t find traditional hotel services such as a gym or concierge desk, this Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel does offer a lovely Cowshed Spa with five treatment rooms where you can indulge in massages or facials using the company’s line of all-natural and organic products. Guests are also welcome to partake in member events at the Soho House New York, such as the monthly book club or movie nights.
While you won’t find traditional hotel services such as a gym or concierge desk, this Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel does offer a lovely Cowshed Spa with five treatment rooms where you can indulge in massages or facials using the company’s line of all-natural and organic products. Guests are also welcome to partake in member events at the Soho House New York, such as the monthly book club or movie nights.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- The intimate nature and bespoke design of the hotel definitely caters to aesthetes, and the surrounding neighborhood is packed with some of the city’s trendiest restaurants, boutique shops and nightlife venues, not to mention the outdoor, elevated park, the High Line.
- Walk by the Soho House New York and you might not even know that there’s a hotel located on Ninth Avenue. Occupying a former warehouse, the hotel is easy to miss — but that’s part of the point. You would barely know that the hotel’s rooftop pool is one of the city’s most see-and-be seen venues come summer.
- Yes, it might be a private members' club, but Soho House New York operates a strict no-suits policy. What’s more, the staff is laid-back, calling you by your first name and wearing chic jeans and suspenders at the front desk.
- Your hotel room feels more like a home, thanks to the great amenities, including a tin of sugar cookies on arrival to an electric kettle and Nespresso pod coffee maker, magazines such as Vanity Fair and Wired, a well-stocked mini-bar that comes with a cocktail book and a shaker, an iron and ironing board and even a bottle of starch.
Things to Know
- This Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel operates on a series of rules, which include no wearing of suits, no photography, no cell phones (although this rule isn’t strongly enforced), and a maximum of one guest per visit.
- The outdoor rooftop pool itself is on the small side, but come evening during the spring and summer, the surrounding roof deck is one of the city’s see-and-be-seen social spots. Order yourself a mimosa and a bacon, egg and cheddar breakfast sandwich (it’s OK, you’re on vacation!) and soak up the sun from your padded purple-and-white striped lounge chair.
- While there is a full-service Cowshed Spa, know that if you want to use a gym during your stay, you’ll have to get a pass to use the one at The Standard, located across the street.
- Likewise, while there’s room service, it’s only available until 2 a.m. and there’s no concierge desk.
The Rooms
- Soho House New York is unique in that it only offers 30 guest rooms, divided among three tiers: small, medium and big.
- The small rooms are on the cozy side at 325 square feet but they’re beautifully appointed with wooden beams and whitewashed wood plank paneled walls and industrial chic furnishings such as iron chests and light fixtures. Note, however, that the majority of small rooms only have a shower and no tub.
- Medium rooms are 500 square feet and are painted in dark, romantic shades complemented by bright antique rugs. Rooms also include freestanding empire tubs and walk-in rainfall showers.
- The big rooms encompass approximately 750 square feet and boast a seven-foot, hand-carved bed topped with crisp Fili D’oro Egyptian cotton pillows, antique chandeliers, an oversized velvet sofa and Persian rugs. One of the most unique factors of the big rooms, however, is the freestanding empire tub in the middle of the room.
The Restaurants
- Soho House New York’s dining options, The Restaurant and the Library Bar, offer many delectable contemporary bites.
- Start the morning off at The Restaurant with a toasted slice of multigrain toast topped with a generous portion of chunky mashed avocado spiked with red chili flakes. For extra protein, ask for a poached egg on top.
- Try the Picante de la Casa at the Club Bar. Spice fiends will love the fiery flavor of this cocktail, which is essentially a piquant margarita made with Cazadores tequila, red chilis, cilantro, lime juice and agave nectar.
- Hail the hotel’s British roots with a delectable breakfast in bed, complete with soft scrambled eggs and all the meaty English fixings.
- The Roof Deck is quite the hotspot in warm weather months so arrive early to beat the crowd of beautiful people. For a true taste of summer you can’t beat this drink, made with 42 Below vodka, lime juice, housemade ginger syrup and soda.
Getting There
29-35 Ninth Avenue, New York, New York 10014
TEL212-627 9800
TEL212-627 9800
NEARBY AIRPORT(S)
JFK (30-55 min)
