The Mercer

Quick Look: The Mercer, New York City

New York is one of the greatest cities in the world for five-star hotels. And after many visits over the years, I have many favorites: The Chatwal, The St. Regis, Park Hyatt, Mandarin Oriental, The Standard High Line, The Langham, The Ludlow, the Greenwich Hotel, The Pierre… But my new favorite? The Mercer in Soho. I know, I know, it’s not new. It’s been around for a bit, but I only recently stayed there for the first time — and this super-low-key boutique hotel absolutely stole my heart.

What is still new, however, is a now-year-old underground Italian steakhouse/pizzeria by legendary chef Alfred Portale (best known for his many years at the helm of Gotham Bar & Grill). The Mercer is a small hotel with zero signage — nothing but a clock above the entrance to signify you’re in the right place. The hotel’s 73 loft-like rooms are luxuriously minimal yet perfectly posh, some with fireplaces and terraces. The top-floor rooms are extra special because of their extra-high ceilings, skylights and arched windows. Here’s a very quick look around: 

The Mercer
Welcome amenity of bottled cocktails at The Mercer, New York (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
The Mercer
Marble bath with skylight overhead at The Mercer, New York (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
The Mercer
Serenity candle and three-way lightbulbs in the bedroom at The Mercer, New York (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
The Mercer
The lobby at The Mercer, New York (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
The Mercer
Bottled negroni in-room at The Mercer, New York (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
The Mercer
Top-floor deluxe studio at The Mercer, New York (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
The Mercer
Bathtub detail at The Mercer, New York (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
The Mercer
Top-floor deluxe studio at The Mercer, New York (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
The Mercer
The hotel has no signage. Instead look for Sartiano’s sidewalk cafe, or else the clock above the hotel entrance. (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Sartiano's
Chef Alfred Portale’s Sartiano’s steakhouse and pizzeria at The Mercer, New York (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Sartiano's
Chef Alfred Portale’s Sartiano’s steakhouse and pizzeria at The Mercer, New York (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Sartiano's
Chef Alfred Portale’s pizza at Sartiano’s, at The Mercer, New York (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)

Bottom line: I love this hotel. The service is awesome. The rooms are extremely comfortable. The food is great. It makes me feel less like a tourist and more like a local.

Rates from about $800. 147 Mercer St, New York, NY, 212-966-6060, mercerhotel.com

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Brad A. Johnson is a photographer, writer and editor specializing in food and luxury travel. His work has been honored by the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards, James Beard Awards, FOLIO Eddie & Ozzie Awards, World Food Media Awards, World Food Photography Awards, Society for Features Journalism Awards, Muster Photo Awards and others. Based in Southern California, Brad was previously the founding editorial director of OLTRE, the national food and travel editor at Modern Luxury and a longtime reporter at Food & Wine, among other prominent roles.

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