MONDRIAN SOHO

Ian Schrager may no longer be involved with the Morgans Hotel Group, but the style and design of the new Mondrian SoHo is no less fabulously OTT. The downtown branch is just as fresh-faced and fun as its beach bum siblings, meaning die-hard fans will have now have a reason to leave South Beach and West Hollywood to migrate up to New York.

Rooms come inspired by Jean Cocteau’s 1946 film “La Belle et la Bête”; slick and sparkly white spaces with chrome accents, sweet blue toile de jouy fabrics, antique mirrors and cheeky window showers for peekaboo-play. Tech-heads will love the iPads throughout and minibars which promise to stray from the norm. There's no gym, but guests have complimentary access to the nearby upscale Equinox health club.

The hotel’s whimsical theme comes full-circle with a ficus-tastic enchanted garden, and is also home to hottie chef Sam Talbot’s new seafood restaurant ‘Imperial No. 9’ with corresponding late-night bar (open till 4am). We think the best, however, is saved for warmer days when, with some of best views in the city, Sammy promises BBQs on the 1,500 square foot outdoor panoramic terrace of the 26th floor penthouse.

Fast track party access has always been one of the perks of staying at Morgans properties, and Mondrian SoHo is no exception. Here it’s to the intimate Mister H – named after the fictitious Mr Hung (but probably not the one you’ve been lusting for) – and accessible to guests from the lobby. Settle in and start partying with the select few at this Shanghai speakeasy-inspired lounge, while those without room keys will still be trying to pass muster at the official Lafayette Avenue entrance with its strict face control.