Overview: Crosby Street Hotel vs. The Mercer

SoHo has two luxury hotels that locals and visitors both love, and they sit only a couple of blocks apart. The Crosby Street Hotel is at 79 Crosby Street, between Prince and Spring Streets, on a quiet cobblestone block. The Mercer is at 147 Mercer Street, at Prince Street, in a historic loft building. Both usually charge $650 or more a night. They share a neighborhood, but their style and mood differ. Here is how they compare.

Location and Neighborhood

Both hotels are in the center of SoHo’s cast-iron district, surrounded by boutiques, galleries and restaurants. The Crosby Street Hotel sits on a calm, narrow street that feels removed from the shopping crowds on Broadway and Prince Street. The Mercer sits at a busier corner, close to the fashion stores and the weekend crowds. If you want to step out into the action, the Mercer is closer to it. If you want a peaceful retreat just a few steps from the shops, the Crosby Street Hotel is the better pick.

Getting Around by Subway

The closest station for both hotels is the N, R and W at Prince Street, a short walk east. The 6 at Spring Street is also close, and the B, D, F and M at Broadway–Lafayette Street are about a ten-minute walk. The C and E at Spring Street, on Sixth Avenue, are another option to the west. From any of these stations you can reach Midtown, Union Square.

Rooms and Design

The Crosby Street Hotel is known for its colorful, British-inspired design by Kit Kemp, with bold patterns, art and playful details in every room. Many rooms have tall windows and a bright, cheerful feel. The Mercer is more understated and loft-like, with high ceilings, large windows, warm wood and a downtown calm. Rooms at both.

Food and Drink

The Crosby Street Hotel has a popular bar and restaurant, a garden terrace in warm weather and a small cinema used for screenings, though schedules and hours change. The Mercer is tied to the Mercer Kitchen and a lively bar scene that has drawn a stylish crowd for years. Check current venues and book ahead.

Service and Amenities

Both hotels are known for warm, polished service in a smaller setting. Staff tend to be friendly and relaxed, and the lobbies feel more like a private home than a large hotel. The Crosby Street Hotel offers a fitness room and the cinema, while the Mercer offers a cozy library lounge and a fitness area.

Who Should Book Which

The Crosby Street Hotel suits travelers who love design, color and a quiet block with a garden. It is a good match for couples, creative professionals and families who want a stylish base. The Mercer suits travelers who want a classic downtown loft feel and an energetic bar and restaurant scene. It also works well.

Nearby Sights and What to Do

SoHo is mostly about walking, shopping and eating. From either hotel you can reach the cast-iron buildings of Greene Street, the shops on Broadway and Prince Street, and the galleries around West Broadway in a few minutes. Little Italy, Chinatown and the Lower East Side are a short walk east, while Greenwich Village and Washington.

Prices and Booking Tips

Plan on $650 or more a night at both hotels, with higher rates in October, the holiday season and during Fashion Week. The lowest prices often appear in late January through early March. Compare the final price after taxes and fees, and book a refundable rate first. If you are flexible, midweek stays are often.

Getting From the Airport

From JFK, take the AirTrain to Jamaica Station and then the J or Z train to Canal Street, then walk or take a short taxi ride to SoHo. From LaGuardia, the Q70 bus runs to Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue, where the E, F, M, R and 7 trains continue into Manhattan. From Newark Airport, the AirTrain.

Seasons and Timing

SoHo is best in spring and fall, when the sidewalks are comfortable and the cafes spill outdoors. Summer weekends can be hot and packed with shoppers. December brings holiday windows and heavy crowds on Broadway and Prince Street. Fashion Week in February and September pushes prices up, so check dates before you book. Quiet midweek.

Which One Should You Book?

Choose the Crosby Street Hotel if you want a colorful, design-led stay on a quiet block with a garden and a small cinema. Choose the Mercer if you want a classic loft feel, a lively bar and a spot right in the middle of SoHo. Both put you steps from the best shopping and dining.

Common questions