Hotel Trump Soho

The Trump Soho is situated at the corner of Varick and Spring Streets, right at the heart of one of the most exciting neighbourhoods in New York. It's ideally situated for exploring downtown, surrounded by cool shops, restaurants and bars and close to the CanDo and FiDi areas of the island, home to Battery Park, Wall Street, ground Zero and the waterfront. A short taxi ride away are the equally hip Meatpacking, Chelsea and Greenwich Village districts of Manhattan, while to get further afield you can just hop on the subway at one of several stations around the hotel to get uptown or over to Brooklyn. The Holland Tunnel, which leads over to Jersey City is just several minutes away. JFK is 18 miles away, La Guardia 11 miles and Newark 13.

The purpose-built 46-storey tower (opened in April 2010) which houses the Trump Soho is by far the tallest building in the immediate area, which means that many of the hotel's rooms have magnificent views of the whole city. And if, which is very likely, you decide that you'd like to come back again and again to the hotel, they why not buy a room! All of them are available to purchase and owners can stay in their room for 29 days in a row and for up to 120 days in a year.

The glimmering tower of the hotel soars high above all that encircles it and this stark uprightness is reflected inside with an emphasis on verticals such as the walnut cherry slats at the tall windows, the plaster columns painted in brass and the suspension frames for the rectangular light boxes. The rest of the lobby's décor, or more precisely, the elements used, remind of the area's historical link to the printed press industry: copper and brass details on the furniture, water-filled basins in which float round, flower clad sculptures and fire from the gas fireplace. While there are several cosy seating areas in the hall, the idea was not for the space to serve as a lounge (difficult when the dulcet tones of Frank Sinatra are playing in the background) - an area to this effect can be found up on the mezzanine level, via the Pompeii stone flanked staircase. Known as the library, this snug hideaway features a hardwood floor, a long corner couch and a large collection of art and design books from publishing house Taschen. Guests can also enjoy a range of games, complimentary wifi and breakfast. You'll find many little, equally relaxing niches dotted around the hotel.

Those guests who feel like pampering themselves should count their lucky stars that they're staying at the Trump Soho for the spa is one of the most magnificent in the city. The entrance to the two-floor facility, which is entirely appointed with Turkish décor, features a white marble fountain and the Bar d'Eau while outside on the terrace (open from May to October), is a 10m heated pool with massage waterfalls as well as cabanas and a boccia court. The centre's principal asset is New York's only traditional Turkish hammam for both men and women - nowhere else in the city can you enjoy an authentic hammam experience which is followed by mint tea, stuffed olives and halvah. In the relaxation area where you wait before your treatment, complete with tea, fruit and chocolate, a specialist will consult with you as to exactly what results you are looking for in your treatment - pacify, balance, revitalise, calm or heal. These treatments take place in one of nine treatment rooms (one for couples) and include massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, hairdressing services and signature gemstone treatments using exclusive Kate Sommerville products containing diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. Other features of the spa include a sauna, tepidorium and fitness centre with top-of-the-range machines. One-to-one yoga sessions are also available upon request.

The hotel's public areas are not only beautifully designed and decorated but are also spotless and easy to navigate. The multiple lifts which serve every floor are both spacious and efficient. You'll find a full service business centre on basement level while services such as valet parking and a personal assistant are also offered.

The hotel offers a total of 391 accommodations ranging from the superior guest rooms on the lower floors to the penthouse suites at the apex of the hotel. The standard rooms feature a king size bed dressed in Bellino linens with a padded leather headboard behind it. The furniture, much of which is from the Fendi Casa collection, comprises bedside tables, a desk, a drawer unit, leather butler and an armchair and foot rest in one corner. In terms of amenities you've got a 42" flatscreen television and DVD player, iPod docking station, Nespresso machine, fully stocked minibar, touch screen telephone, safe, iron and ironing board, bathrobes and in some cases a microwave. Although there is an excellent system of lighting in the room, the best light comes through the floor-to-ceiling windows from which there are great view to be had, especially higher up the building. The spacious marble-clad bathrooms, selected ones of which have a double vanity, boast stylish bronze fittings, separate bathtub and monsoon shower, television screen, make-up mirror and The Spa at Trump toiletries. The deluxe guestrooms are identical to the superior rooms, however are placed higher up the tower and therefore enjoy sweeping city views such as of the Hudson or Empire State Building.

Both one- and two-bedroom suites are available, also in superior and deluxe categories. These offer generously sized separate living spaces with seating and dining areas as well as extra closet space. A selected few have a powder room or double vanity in the main bathroom. The newest addition to the Trump accommodations are the spa suites which are incorporated into the centre and which boast jacuzzi bathtubs, exclusive bath menu, special healthy minibar and private use of a treatment room with sauna and steam shower. The light-infused duplex and two-bedroom penthouses on the top three floors of the hotel enjoy heaps of space and feature fully-equipped kitchens with Sub-Zero wine coolers, spacious bathrooms with walk-in showers and floating bathtubs and plenty of space for entertaining. Other unique elements include terraces with unobstructed views of the city and telescopes to get an even better look at them.

Quattro is the name of the hotel's excellent restaurant, specialising in northern Italian cuisine. The space is split into two with the main restaurant and bar downstairs and a mezzanine level above with a private dining space (mainly for dinner service). Décor features include dark green tiles which remind of the Paris métro, Murano glass chandeliers and wall cavities filled with empty glass bottles. Quattro serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch at weekends. The service during our dinner was faultless, while the food, taken care of by twin brothers Fabrizio and Nicola Carro, was both mouth-watering and impeccably presented. Take the chance before your meal though to take a drink at the bar which has a glass tiled drinks display wall. You can also take your pre-dinner tipple up in the library or even at Kastel, Trump Soho's lounge which serves cocktails and wines by the glass. A DJ performs here every night except Sundays and there is a guest list door policy after 10pm.