Rooftop hotel review

ModernHaus SoHo

A SoHo design hotel whose rooftop pool and bar are the main reason to book, with guests-only swimming hours before the crowds arrive.

SoHo$$$$ price pointUpdated 17 August 2026For UK travellers
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Editorial take

Who should book ModernHaus SoHo?

If this is your first New York trip, shortlist ModernHaus SoHo for a practical reason: Rooftop pool, summer trips, couples, design. The name, star rating and lobby photos matter, but the real test is whether the location helps your days feel easier.

It is less compelling if you want quiet evenings or a traditional bathroom. Before booking from the UK, compare the final price after taxes and property fees, check the exact room setup and make sure your airport arrival route is not needlessly awkward.

Location and map

Where is ModernHaus SoHo?

Grand Street at Thompson is at SoHo's southern end, walkable to Tribeca and the Hudson River Park as well as the shopping streets.

Nearby

SoHo shopping, Tribeca, Hudson River Park, Little Italy and the West Village.

Closest subway

Canal St and Spring St

Hotel facts

What to know before booking.

Address27 Grand Street, New York, NY 10013
Rooms114 rooms and suites
Price point$$$$
Known forOne of the very few outdoor rooftop pools in Manhattan, eighteen storeys above SoHo.
SubwayCanal St and Spring St

First-timer context

Why ModernHaus SoHo might feel special.

What it is known for

  • JIMMY, the rooftop bar, sits eighteen storeys up and has one of the few outdoor pool decks in Manhattan, with views west to the Hudson.
  • Hotel guests get exclusive use of the pool from 8am to 4pm on weekdays and 8am to 2pm at weekends, before it opens to the public.
  • Rooms use a floor-to-ceiling glass wall between the bathroom and the living space, which is either the best or the worst feature depending on who you are travelling with.

New York moments

  • The hotel traded as The James New York before its rebrand, so it appears under that name in older reviews and guidebooks.

On screen

  • JIMMY has been a fixture of downtown summer nightlife since well before the rebrand.

Review questions

What travellers keep asking.

Can guests actually use the rooftop pool?

Yes, and unusually the hotel reserves it for guests during the mornings and early afternoons before opening it to the public. That is a meaningful difference from most New York hotel rooftops.

Is this the old James New York?

Yes, the same building at 27 Grand Street. It rebranded as ModernHaus SoHo, so reviews under The James name refer to this hotel.

Booking checklist

Check these before you reserve.

Total price

Look beyond the nightly rate. Check taxes, destination fees, breakfast and cancellation.

Room layout

For New York, room size, bathroom privacy, bed type and storage can matter more than star rating.

Arrival route

Match the hotel to your airport, luggage and arrival time, especially after an overnight UK flight.

Sources and update notes

Last updated: 17 August 2026. Hotel rates, fees, rules and transport details can change.

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