Though it is a new brand, you might recognize the properties from Jason Pomeranc’s SIXTY Hotels group. That’s because the hotelier split with the Thompson group and launched his own new venture using some of the former Thompson hotels. The flagship is the former 60 Thompson, now the SIXTY SoHo, and as is fitting of a newly-launched brand, it is sporting a hot new look since reopening in the fall.
Whereas 60 Thompson was a bit more brooding, dark and closed off, aiming to be an exclusive watering hole for the city’s glitterati, the whole aesthetic these days is one of welcome. Light filters through into both the public spaces and guest rooms, and a general brightening of the place is thanks to London design firm Tara Bernerd & Partners.
The ground floor has become a cozy corner with a small reception desk, fireplace and sitting area framed by shelves of art books to flip through while you wait for your Uber to arrive. Up a flight of stairs (or one floor in the elevator) is the lobby area. Bernerd has incorporated a wall of windows fronting Thompson Street, so the whole high-ceilinged space has soothing natural light flowing in. The space is broken up into little sitting areas with a mix of velvet and mid-century couches, love seats, armchairs and coffee tables where guests can pull up a chair, have a meeting, or just sit and read the paper. The art is all from Pomeranc’s own collection. The overall effect is of walking into a members-only club of like-minded world travelers.
On the far side, away from Thompson Street and running the length of the building, is the newly opened Gordon Bar. It too has a few different seating areas including tall stools running along the wood-topped bar with leather panels, large booths for bigger parties, and a small room for private functions. There’s also an area with couches and chairs arranged around low tables and a small fireplace. The cocktails are mainly new twists on old classics, like the Boulevardier with rye whiskey, Campari, sweet vermouth and a lemon peel. Small plates on hand include crispy Arancini with prosciutto and pistachio.
The most dramatic changes, however, might just be in the 97 guestrooms and suites. Whereas before the palette was mostly a neutral white, brown and charcoal, Bernerd has livened things up with colorful touches including blue mohair sofas and caramel-colored tufted leather headboards. Heightening the effect are textured linen wallpaper, focused accent lighting, the use of light-gray planked timber in the floors and furniture, and playful accents like velvet Alexander McQueen throw pillows with brass studs. Standard amenities include custom-made SFERRA 400-count bed linens, all-marble bathrooms with mosaic-tile floors, REN amenities and Frette robes, and Dean & Deluca-stocked gourmet minibars.
There are just ten suites, all with balconies overlooking Thompson Street and the New York skyline. King Suites start a spacious 525 square feet, while the larger SIXTY Suites are a whopping 850 square feet, and feature a king bedroom and separate living room with a sofa and two armchairs, as well as two bathrooms. The master comes with a separate shower and deep soaking tub, while the other is a powder room with shower.
However, the suite de résistance is the two-story SIXTY Loft. It clocks in at 1,800 square feet and features a spacious living and dining room on the lower level, plus a workspace, four-poster bed and private bathroom on the second floor, as well as a balcony and a private 250-square-foot roof deck with picture-perfect skyline views.
For now, guests can enjoy meals in The Gordon Bar and lobby. However, opening soon, the hotel will also feature a new restaurant called Sessanta by John McDonald (you might recognize him from Lure Fishbar), serving a menu of coastal Italian cuisine. Come spring, guests should be able to frolic at the rooftop terrace and lounge named Above SIXTY.
New name, new look, but same sophisticated destination, SIXTY SoHo brings a bit of cool back to trendy SoHo. Weekday rates begin at around $450 a night.
