Ideally situated on a quiet street in New York’s vibrant SoHo, The Manner is a 97-room boutique hotel that blends Milanese elegance and that downtown New York attitude. Edgy yet sophisticated.

Designed by Milan-based architect Hannes Peer, this is the latest hotel from The Standard International hotel group, describing the new venue as the chic cousin to their iconic The Standard hotels. This area of SoHo still whispers rather than shouts, and the new hotel addition to New York’s hospitality landscape is discreet rather than showy.

With an inviting atmosphere and striking interiors of gold accents and marble detailing, The Manner is like staying in a tasteful yet eclectic Milanese apartment where the bedroom design is equally as important as the hosting areas for socialising.

With a home-like feel, it’s easy to explore the entire build from rooftop to ground floor restaurant The Otto. On the first floor, a large, welcoming lounge hosts breakfast and a complimentary aperitivo hour for all guests that mixes alternative and classic tastes changing each night (find stuffed dates with butter and pistachio as an appetiser to go with a refined negroni or two). There’s even Ancient Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon by the glass.

Exclusive to hotel guests only, it’s a place to meet new people, relax and enjoy the full extent of ‘the manor’.

There is a side desk for check-in, feeling a lot more personal and discreet than an obvious front desk. Here, the staff are all achingly both cool, and kind, going above and beyond to make guest stays worth every dime. They can work to any special request, even helping sort out a courier for us when we needed some excess shopping posted to the other side of the country. Efficient and practical, everything was done with ease and less stress on our side – and aren’t those the extras we all want to be able to rely on during a hotel stay?

There are books dotted around the lounge and in-room, all reflecting NYC’s music and art history, highlighting the life and work of Debbie Harry, Bob Dylan or Robert Mapplethorpe. Music in the hotel is easy to vibe to, curated by Stephane Vacher (Executive Vice President of Culture and Entertainment at Standard Hotels) who himself also has played a big role in NYC’s nightlife previously and has an incredible knack for connecting classic tunes with the best new music being made. 

Room design reflects the interiors throughout the hotel, gold detailing with a twist, red lacquer tables juxtaposed against stark black and marble finishes go hand in hand with full-length mirrored walls and an integrated audio system. There’s no TV here, just some very carefully curated books and views of SoHo outside. 

Hand-stitched cotton napkins with the initials ‘TM’ bring attention to the details the hotel has aimed to think about. Some details such as powerpoint and wardrobe locations in convenient locations have been sacrificed for the overall aesthetic of the rooms, a slight annoyance until you sit on the window-length-wide sofa and unwind to memorable views of SoHo. The design team have opted for glamour over (some) practicality, and we’re not mad at it.

Chef Alex Stupak oversees the entire culinary approach and offering at The Manner, and it’s at flagship restaurant The Otter that Stupak’s genius ideas shine. A James Beard nominee, the Massachusetts-born chef combines flavours of Mexico with the mix of modern New York together to elevate the fresh seafood brought in to the restaurant. Stupak previously worked at Clio in Boston, Alinea in Chicago with Grant Achatz and wd~50 with Wylie Dufresne going on to open his own Mexican restaurant Empellón Taqueria in Manhattan’s West Village. From there he expanded his Empellón brand, informed f&b to the best destinations in the city.

The Otter – found on the ground floor – welcomes both guests and the public, with seating arrangements for both intimate or large groups. The restaurant layout presents seating that feels private, all the while open to socialising or network with friends at nearby tables. Ofcourse, there is always the chance to meet new people, and that’s what The Otter aims to do; create an irresistible vibe in the restaurant to match its social clientele. The decor absolutely encourages this, with a central bar, cosy seating and vibrant murals by Spanish architect-turned-painter Elvira Solana.

After dinner, diners can discreetly walk through to the first floor where speakeasy-style bar Sloane’s presents cocktails to stay the whole night for. The non-alcoholic cocktails are also equally as good – we tried the non-alc martini and it certainly deserved a shout-out.

It’s all about the staff at The Manner whom are mostly creatives themselves also. At our aperitivo in the lounge, staff member Corey Wash was a ray of sunshine as she welcomed us, later I found out she is also an incredible artist herself creating large scale murals. One of the managers, Cory, was extremely knowledgeable, not skipping a beat for our many inquiries about the new hotel. The staff here are informed, yet laid back and cool, and it makes the stay truly feel like staying at a friends home – especially with a standard check-out at 12 noon.

Located in the heart of SoHo, The Manner with its discreet charm and sophisticated design, offers a unique and intimate retreat for discerning travellers seeking a blend of luxury and local flavour in New York City. 

The Manner
58 Thompson St, 
New York, NY, 10012

Text: Monique Kawecki, Editorial Director
Images: As credited, Champ Creative©