New York finds more rooms at the top

In this magazine's most recent ranking of the world's best hotels (Institutional Investor, September 1996), New York City had more entries (nine) than any other city. But that isn't stopping the Big Apple from adding six contenders for the list.

At the Soho Grand Hotel, the ambience is factory chic. Each room is just 250 or 350 square feet, with an armoire better suited to a dollhouse. Yet guests have been packing the hotel's 367 rooms since it opened three months ago.

One reason is that it's the only place to stay in the vibrant, arty SoHo neighborhood a mile north of Wall Street. (Wall Street's towers are visible from the four penthouse terraces on the hotel's 15th floor.) But beyond that, the hotel's cutting-edge decor, cuisine and amenities are far more luxurious than its industrial exterior would suggest, much in the manner of SoHo itself, which a century ago consisted largely of factories and is now filled with galleries and lofts.

The Grand's cavernous, noisy central public space has huge riveted beams holding up the ceiling and a utilitarian iron staircase leading to a second-floor lobby abounding with potted palms. Financiers, artists, actors and other visitors who jam the second-floor bar every night until 2:00 a.m. add to the noise. The rooms themselves are tastefully -- and technologically -- appointed, with two-line phones with dataports and voice mail, as well as vitamin packs and salsa and chips. There's freshly brewed coffee available free around the clock, a fitness center and complimentary weekday shuttles to the financial and fashion districts. The Canal House restaurant on the second floor serves mainly New England fare, such as lobster and chowder.

The SoHo Grand is at 310 West Broadway; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]. Single-room rates start at $199....