I’m typing this from my Loft Studio at The Mercer Hotel in SoHo, where I’ve just spent six nights. With only 73 rooms and suites, The Mercer is one of New York’s most discreet boutique hotels. Its unmarked entrance, minimalist design, and Sartiano’s restaurant set the tone: understated, stylish, and more about subtle luxury than flash.

In this Mercer Hotel review, I’ll share what stood out during my stay, what could be better, and the details you should know before booking.

The Art of Arrival: If You Know, You Know

The Mercer experience begins before you even step inside. There is no grand canopy, no glittering sign, no fanfare. In fact, there is no signage at all.

I already knew where the hotel was, having been to SoHo many times, but a first-time guest could easily drive past without realizing it. The only clue is a doorman in a lavender polo and slacks, who steps forward when hotel guests are spotted. This understated arrival is intentional: The Mercer presents itself as a private residence rather than a spectacle, blending seamlessly into the neighborhood.

The entrance opens into a serene lobby designed by Christian Liaigre, with deep sofas, warm lighting, and a curated library of art and design books. I even noticed board games tucked behind the front desk, a small but telling detail that reinforces the residential, “make yourself at home” atmosphere.

Location: The Cobblestone Heart of SoHo

The Mercer’s location is, in my opinion, perfect. It sits at the corner of Mercer and Prince Streets in the heart of SoHo, one of New York’s most iconic neighborhoods.

Mercer Street itself is a relatively quiet, one-way cobblestone lane off of the busier West Houston Street. Prince Street carries a livelier buzz with its shops and restaurants (and more people).

One of the joys of staying here is how naturally it encourages you to live like a local. Within a five-minute walk are two of New York’s most famous bagel shops (Pop Up Bagels and Leon’s Bagels), and bringing them back to my room each morning became a small ritual. I often noticed people enjoying various famous takeout at the lobby tables.

The Mercer is in the middle of multiple SoHo luxury boutiques, the restaurants of Nolita, the galleries of Tribeca, and the charm of Greenwich Village. It is an ideal launchpad for exploring Lower Manhattan and is easy for NYU parents since the gym and other buildings are also located on Mercer Street.

Choosing Your SoHo Loft: Rooms & Suites at The Mercer

The Mercer’s accommodations are designed to feel like a classic New York loft: high ceilings, oversized windows, and perfectly proportioned spaces that emphasize comfort as much as style.

Amenities in All Accommodations

Every room and suite includes:

• Coffee service on request, with Nespresso machines and fresh milk
• Complimentary minibar with soft drinks and snacks, replenished daily (I loved this)
• Dyson hairdryer in every room
• Luxury bath products, including Mercer’s own line and Dr. Barbara Sturm collaboration
• Comfortable beds dressed in exceptionally crisp, high-thread-count sheets and thick duvets
• 24-hour in-room dining from Sartiano’s full menu
• Daily housekeeping and turn-down service
• Complimentary gym passes to a nearby high-end fitness club

Guest Rooms (for solo travelers or couples)

The entry-level rooms are compact but polished, starting at 250 square feet.

• Courtyard Room(about 250 sq. ft.) faces the tranquil bamboo garden.
• Mercer Room (about 280 sq. ft.) overlooks cobblestoned Mercer Street.
• Mercer Room Deluxe (about 300 sq. ft.) adds more breathing room with two large windows.

Studios & Lofts (more space, king beds)

Studios begin at 350 square feet with a separate sitting area, while Deluxe Studios are a step up in size with views of either Prince Street, Mercer Street, or the courtyard. The Loft Studio—my room type—offers more than 500 square feet and truly feels like a New York loft, with abundant natural light through huge windows and a generous layout.

Suites (top-floor or special layouts)

The Loft Suite, at 675 square feet, has a spacious living area and grand arched windows, with some units featuring fireplaces. Larger one-bedroom options include the Corner Loft, Penthouse Loft, and Courtyard Loft, each around 950 square feet, offering distinctive features like panoramic views, a Juliet balcony, or a private terrace.

Two-Bedroom Options (for families and groups)

These configurations link two rooms into an apartment-style layout. Options range from a Deluxe Studio paired with a Loft Studio (about 935 sq. ft.) to expansive top-floor SoHo Suites, new Corner Suites, and Penthouse or Courtyard combinations that include kitchenettes and, in some cases, fireplaces.

Inside a Loft Studio: My Home for a Week

The Loft Studio was ideal for my stay, especially since I was helping my daughter move into her NYU dorm and juggling far more luggage than usual (we had stuff everywhere). At 510 square feet, it absorbed the chaos of boxes and bags without ever feeling cramped.

The dual closets—a rarity in New York—proved invaluable, and the additional drawers, bench, and table gave the space a residential feel. It felt less like a hotel room and more like a well-designed city apartment.

Around My Loft

The room also featured a large flat-screen TV (I’m guessing it’s around 40 inches), efficient and quiet air conditioning, and a ceiling fan, which we didn’t need to use. The floor-to-ceiling curtains were excellent, providing near-total blackout when fully closed, ensuring a dark, restful environment for sleep.

During a hot summer, I appreciated being able to grab a small Pellegrino or Diet Coke without being charged. There were also plenty of snacks like popcorn, cookies, and candy that we could enjoy. You can ask for as much Saratoga still bottled water in the pretty blue glass bottles as you like.

The Bathroom: A Sanctuary with a Quirk

The bathroom carried that same sense of space. A wider-than-usual, deep soaking tub (with salts and oils ready) and separate walk-in shower anchored the design, with plush towels and complimentary bath salts waiting.

The one drawback was the vanity: counter space was scarce, and while there was a magnified mirror, I would have preferred a lighted one for makeup. A set of shutters above the tub opens the bath to the bedroom, which looks chic but compromises sound privacy, so I kept them closed.

I did like The Mercer branded individual bath amenities in the shower, but since I have thick hair, next time I might consider bringing my own. The body lotion was awesome, and I appreciated the container with cotton swabs, etc. as well as the toothbrushes.

I forgot to take a photo of the shower area, but it’s a nice walk-in shower with good pressure.

Sleep, Comfort & Quiet

My Loft Studio faced away from Mercer Street, looking out onto a quiet courtyard and a residential building. The view was unremarkable, so we kept the curtains closed for privacy, but the benefit was a profoundly quiet room.

I heard zero street noise, a rare and precious commodity in New York City. Rooms facing the cobblestone Mercer Street or the two-way Prince Street do tend to experience the city’s ambient buzz. You will need to plan your room selection accordingly. However, I always bring earplugs to New York City because this is a risk in nearly every hotel.

The king-sized bed was very comfortable, leaning towards firm rather than overly soft. I appreciated the thicker, luxurious duvet. My only critique is with the pillows, which I found to be a bit too soft for my taste. Next time, I would follow my own advice and ask housekeeping for a few extra pillows, which would solve that. I slept really well here every night.

Dining & Drinks: The Sartiano’s Scene

One of The Mercer’s greatest strengths is its culinary program. The hotel is home to Sartiano’s, a modern Italian restaurant that has become a dining destination for New Yorkers as much as for hotel guests.

Three Distinct Atmospheres

You can enjoy the Sartiano’s menu outside of your loft in three ways:

• Sartiano’s Café
  This is where guests linger over breakfast, casual lunches, or an aperitif. My daughter and I spent a few relaxing afternoons here on the street-side tables, with me sipping rosé and sharing appetizers — a setting that felt equally natural for people-watching as it did for catching up after a long day.
• Main Dining Room (Downstairs)
  The more formal dining room is hidden below street level, accessed by stairs or, if you’re in the hotel already, via an elevator and a dramatic entry of metal curtains. Designed by Studio Sofield, it resembles a contemporary Tuscan wine cellar, with exposed brick, Carrara marble, and an open kitchen. The atmosphere was buzzing: loud, lively, and every bit the glamorous New York hotspot.
• The Lobby
  I found myself here with my computer on several occasions in this space reserved for hotel guests. One drawback is that the servers don’t patrol this area with as much frequency.

Must-Order Dishes

During my stay, everything we tried was excellent, with a few standouts:

• Caviar Cannoli – a signature amuse-bouche: tiny cannoli filled with mascarpone and topped with caviar, memorable both for the taste and its Instagram-ready presentation.
• Ricotta sourdough toast topped with marinated cherry tomatoes – simple, fresh, and addictive.
• Yellowtail crudo – bright, clean flavors that feel very of-the-moment.
• Classic Caesar salad – crisp, perfectly balanced, and a reminder that a well-done staple can still impress.
• Meatballs & Pastas – the restaurant’s most talked-about dishes, inspired by family recipes but reimagined with a modern twist.

In-Room Dining

In-room dining is available 24 hours a day, provided by Sartiano’s. It’s a good selection and delicious. We only ordered breakfast once through it, because the food in the restaurant areas comes out rather quickly.

(I tried to pre-arrange the breakfast order for delivery the night before, but it didn’t arrive on time. I had to call and follow up on it.)

A Summertime Gelato Cart

I mean how cool (literally) is this on a hot and humid day in New York City. I saw a lot of people roaming SoHo take advantage of this fun daytime treat.

A Thoughtful Welcome Amenity

On arrival, we found a personalized amenity waiting 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 delicate Ladurée cookie for me; and bottled waters. It was generous, elegant, and deeply appreciated.

My only disappointment? Housekeeping cleared the fruit bowl the very next day, long before we’d had the chance to finish it. A small misstep in what was otherwise a thoughtful gesture.

Wellness & Elevated Amenities

• Private Workout Room: A small 24-hour fitness room is available by appointment. Guests also receive complimentary access to a nearby luxury gym for a broader equipment selection.
• Dr. Barbara Sturm Mercer Facial: A 60-minute treatment with anti-inflammatory massage, scalp massage, and red-light therapy for that signature “SturmGlow.”
• Cultural Access: The Mercer offers invitation-only access to Zero Bond, an exclusive downtown members’ club for those who want curated cultural immersion beyond the hotel.

The Mercer Service Style: Discreetly On Hand

Service at The Mercer is one of its defining traits, and it’s important to understand the philosophy before booking. If you are a traveler who enjoys being doted on, this isn’t the right fit. The Mercer does not operate like a Four Seasons, where staff seem to appear out of thin air to anticipate your every need.

Instead, the service here is best described as professional, efficient, and discreetly available. Staff are there when you want them, but otherwise fade into the background, leaving you with the feeling of living in your own SoHo residence. I did have to ask for things like replenishing of my Nespresso pods, as this wasn’t automatically done with housekeeping service, and once my wine didn’t arrive with my lunch. And, I had to flag down servers a few times in The Lobby. These are all fairly minor things, but you do need to ask for things sometimes.

This approach aligns perfectly with the hotel’s minimalist, insider ethos. Hallways are hushed, interactions are polished, and extremely friendly. It never feels understaffed—just intentionally unobtrusive.

One thing I loved was that once a server had my room number, I never had to sign a check. An automatic 20% gratuity is included, and you’re free to leave when you wish. It’s seamless and very “New York”—perfect for a clientele that values time and privacy over small courtesies like reviewing the bill at the table. (The downside is that you need to trust that your bill is correct.)

Is The Mercer Hotel Good for Families?

The Mercer is best suited for families with older children or teenagers rather than those with very young kids. During my nearly week-long stay, I noticed several families, but none with toddlers or infants.

The real consideration for families is room structure. Most standard rooms and studios have a strict maximum occupancy of two, making connecting setups less of a convenience and more of a necessity for groups of three or more.

We had originally booked a Deluxe Studio and Loft Studio Connecting set (until my husband had to stay home with the dog, so we dropped the Deluxe Studio). They’re positioned side by side, outer-connecting, meaning a single, lockable outer door closes off a small private foyer that contains the doors to each room, creating a genuine two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment.

While The Mercer doesn’t have dedicated kids’ programming, clubs, or play areas, complimentary cribs and rollaways are available upon request, subject to room category limits. For the right family—those with older kids who appreciate style, space, and the location—it can work.

Final Verdict: Who Is The Mercer Hotel Perfect For?

I can say with confidence that this hotel isn’t for everyone, and that’s precisely its strength. It is perfect for the independent, style-conscious traveler, and VIPs who:

• Values location and atmosphere – Someone who wants to live like a SoHo local.
• Appreciates design and architecture – A guest who prefers Christian Liaigre’s minimalist loft interiors and the authenticity of a landmark cast-iron building over traditional grandeur.
• Prefers discreet service – Privacy-first travelers who want staff available when needed, but otherwise unobtrusive.
• Is a foodie – Guests who see a James Beard-driven restaurant as integral to their stay, not just an add-on.
• Travels solo, as a couple, or with older kids – Families can make excellent use of the connecting-room configurations, while couples and solo travelers will thrive in the residential, insider vibe.

For me, it was the ideal choice providing the perfect blend of space, style, and location. I loved my room and my experience, and I will absolutely book it again. You do need to reserve as soon as you know your dates. I’ve already checked two weekends I need to be in NYC, and the whole hotel is sold out.

Make Reservations with VIP Amenities

Our agency, Cadence, has a special partnership with The Mercer Hotel in that we can offer Virtuoso-style amenities to our bookings. These include:

Please use our hotel request form, and we can confirm rates. They will be the same as what you see on the hotel’s website, plus the above amenities.