The Manner — Hotel in New York

After wrapping up dinner at Cipriani Downtown, I stopped by the hotel with a friend because the exterior looked stunning. We quietly entered the lobby, which was nearly empty at 12:45 AM, and respectfully took a few photos by the fireplace. We weren’t loud, weren’t disruptive, and there was no one else around, not a single guest disturbed.

The only person in the lobby was a man with glasses on who sat there staring us down the entire time, offering absolutely no space or privacy. He was like that even before we started taking the pictures, didn’t welcome us and just kept giving us rude glares from the beginning. It was unsettling. He said nothing until a female colleague joined him, at which point he suddenly decided to speak and told us coldly, “Guys, quit it.” My friend asked who he was and if he worked there, and only then did he mutter something about “no flash photography”, after we had already taken multiple photos.

The logic made no sense. If flash photography wasn’t allowed, why didn’t he say so immediately?? His excuse was “I thought you were only going to take one or two.” From the very start he had an aggressive approach and he could’ve just asked us nicely. But because he came in with that attitude and body language we felt very threatened.

He then proceeded to have the bellman escort us out, with no effort to de-escalate, no apology, no explanation, and no basic human decency. From the moment we walked in, his energy was hostile and judgmental. Not a single hello, no sense of hospitality, and certainly no professionalism. If he had politely let us know from the start that photography wasn’t permitted or that guests only were allowed in that area, we would’ve left immediately and respectfully. But instead, we were treated with arrogance, and intimidation.

This isn’t how luxury hospitality works. If anything, this is how you ensure someone never returns. I had actually considered staying here on a future trip, but after that encounter, not a chance. I’ll also be raising this directly with management.

This is New York City, not a private club. If your team can’t even treat potential guests with the minimum level of human courtesy, you’re in the...

The hotel was beautifully reimagined, sexy and adult, and shows a lot of potential if they can work out some kinks!

The rooms were nicely sized and the detailing and decor was tasteful and felt luxurious. Some things, like the lighting, needed reworking- particularly in the bathroom but also across the room, the dimmers would flicker in and out. As mentioned in previous reviews, the beds are indeed very comfy.

There were clearly great efforts being made for hospitality. Some wrinkles needed smoothing over: -Sometimes it was difficult to reach room service or housekeeping. At one point, my boyfriend called room service twice, but when he rang a third time the person on the other end picked up and immediately apologized for missing the previous calls, which we appreciated. The room service was also very prompt and the coffee was good, and the omelette was delicious. -The hotel staff seemed unfamiliar with certain cocktails like a Negroni and French 75. -We loved the idea of a cocktail hour in the lobby space (“Apartment”) and the ability to host friends. It felt chic, lively, and like a great way to get energy into the space. Our only issue was that it seems like interviews are still being held, and they usually took up the best corner in the space at a time when all guests were invited to be there.

Some side notes: The roof was beautiful and empty. Particularly right now, when it doesn’t have any programming, I highly recommend you use the space to sit and relax. My boyfriend and I got lunch at a nearby store and brought it upstairs.

The wifi is an unprotected network, which will certainly be an issue in the future.

No gym, but they will send you to Equinox Soho, they just need 24 hour notice to get you on the list.

All said and done, I don’t write this all to say that you shouldn’t stay at the Manner. If the hotel can tighten up, I think it could be a seamlessly knit together experience. Check-in was warm and a breeze, and the hotel is gorgeous. I hope they are able to work...

This is a hotel for design lovers. Really beautiful common areas and minimalist but comfortable rooms. Good location in SoHo. The staff is very friendly and the hotel was not busy when I stayed. The Otter restaurant has a somewhat complicated menu but the food was good. The Bar Sloane’s makes great drinks and isn’t crowded. ||Here’s where the property falls short for its $1000/night price tag:|- rooms are very loud, you hear everything from the street and the cold comes right through. Bring earplugs or you’ll lay awake all night long. |- no desks or workspaces in the rooms, not even the suites. Don’t come here and expect to work. |- sheets are rough and scratchy, quality needs to be improved. |- no coffee maker or tea kettle in the rooms. No one wants to get dressed and walk down to the lobby first thing in the morning and get a coffee, just put them in, this is how people live and it’s a major irritation when hotels try to “change it up” just for the sake of novelty. |- the second floor common space doesn’t function well for daytime. A collection of couches and low coffee tables are nice for cocktails and socializing, but it makes no sense for breakfast— no one wants to lean over a coffee table and try to eat their breakfast and drip and drop things all over themselves and the floor (which everyone does as evidenced by all the stains on the rugs). Just use the restaurant for a proper breakfast instead. |- no gym, no spa, no pool… not really competitive when comparing to all the other 5 star hotels in the neighborhood that charge the same price. ||I leave feeling like I checked this place off the list: overall glad I tried it, but no need to come back, for the price I can get a better...