The best hotels in Brooklyn

When asked to picture New York, you might first imagine the towering skyscrapers of Manhattan. And yet that borough makes up less than a fifth of all there is to explore.

Many of New York’s delights can be found in Brooklyn. One of the biggest boroughs in the city, its population would make it the fourth largest city in the US if separated from the rest of NYC. Made up of several separate neighbourhoods that are all worth exploring in their own right – such as Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, Greenpoint, Dumbo and Brunswick – travellers are increasingly seeking out authentic New York experiences in these farther-flung neighbourhoods. Consequently, Brooklyn’s hotel game is on the up.

Williamsburg, once a hub for artists seeking out cheap rent in close proximity to Manhattan, has transformed into a green-fringed urban oasis populated by wellness disciples. With the recent opening of a Chanel outpost on Bedford Avenue and the unveiling of the completely refurbished Domino Sugar Factory – now a mixed-use building with luxury flats – the neighbourhood is nearly unrecognisable from its origins as an industrial zone primarily populated by Hasidic Jews, Dominicans and Puerto Ricans.

After its waterfront was rezoned in the mid-aughts, residential towers sprung up and, with them, the big box stores that often follow. Despite its overhaul having the effect pricing out many former residents, the neighbourhood still offers irreplaceable charm with its thoughtfully transformed waterfront parks and small boutiques that continue to thrive along Bedford Avenue.

Greenpoint is a treasure trove of culinary delight, reminiscent of what Williamsburg used to be, with cuisines that can take your palate on a world tour within a five-block radius. Since it’s still not the easiest to get to on public transport, it remains full of surprises waiting to be stumbled upon.

From trendy boutique lodgings in downtown Brooklyn to luxurious accommodations with breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, the borough’s hotel landscape continues to evolve and flourish, making it an increasingly appealing destination for visitors seeking an authentic New York experience. Here are the best places to stay in Brooklyn, organised by neighbourhood.

Williamsburg

The Hoxton

Best for: Trendy urbanites seeking a vibrant atmosphere
Location: 97 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249

The Hoxton offers guests a stylish and contemporary retreat in the heart of Williamsburg, with McCarren Park and the East River ferry both just a few blocks away. With cosy, thoughtfully designed rooms and a sprawling, semi-underground lobby soundtracked by a DJ in the afternoons, The Hoxton is well set up for guests to relax, unwind or catch up on work in a sophisticated setting. Panoramic views from Israeli rooftop restaurant Laser Wolf set the tone for what’s often an unforgettable night.

The Wythe Hotel

Best for: Industrial charm and a brunch worthy of your camera roll.
Location: 80 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249

The Wythe Hotel occupies a converted factory building dating back to 1901. Playfully blending industrial and vintage aesthetics, its 70 rooms and suites provide guests with truly sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline. The Wythe is famed for its well-heeled crowds who descend for a boozy brunch or languorous dinner at brasserie-inspired Le Crocodile, whose mushroom pâté will knock your socks off. Don’t want to finish there? Grab a drink at Bar Blondeau on the rooftop – we recommend a desierto alto for mezcal lovers or the more potent long weekend if you’d like a knockout sleep.

The William Vale

Best for: Modern luxury with breathtaking views and a lively atmosphere.
Location: 111 North 12th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249

From the futuristically spare marble lobby to the art-filled rooms, The William Vale is a modernist fantasy. Boasting floor-to-ceiling windows that perfectly frame the towering skyscrapers of the city, it’s a hotel that won’t allow you to forget you’re in the thick of the Big Apple. The rooftop hosts the longest outdoor pool in all five boroughs, while the Westlight bar on the 22nd floor features an extensive cocktail menu that offers unique twists on signature drinks (think an old fashioned with shiitake mushroom-infused cognac). The bar affords even more expansive views, making it a popular choice for weddings, receptions and other private events – including the occasional fashion week fête.

Coda Williamsburg

Best for: Night owls and lounge lizards.
Location: 160 North 12th Street, NY 11249

A search for the Coda Williamsburg – formerly the McCarren Hotel and Pool – will likely return images of its attractive rooftop pool, replete with striped chaise longues, which is understandably popular when the temperature rises. This stylish boutique hotel features spacious, minimal rooms, a ground-floor coffee shop and seasonal rooftop bar Creatures of All Kind. The bar is a total vibe, where guests sip on a wide range of cocktails inspired by the flavours of Indonesia, such as the Bali highball or the Jakarta mule, to the sound of dancefloor-filling DJs playing a mix of house, techno, and tropical beats.

Arlo Williamsburg

Best for: Urban explorers in search of wellness.
Location: 96 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Demonstrating its commitment to sustainability, Arlo Williamsburg has implemented environmentally friendly initiatives such as energy-efficient lighting, water-saving fixtures and a green roof complete with that most New York of skyline fixtures: a water tower. Sightseers may flock to the Water Tower bar, which allows guests to toast one another at the tippy top of the hotel’s roof. The Bodega snack shop, a 24-hour pantry located within the hotel lobby, is there to satiate late-night cravings with pretzels, chocolate, cookies and more. It’s not all booze and views, however. In partnership with YO BK, a local yoga and Pilates studio, the hotel hosts a weekly rooftop yoga class every Friday morning. With a 24-hour fitness centre, complimentary bicycle rentals and a 10,000 sq ft rooftop pool and bar, this hotel is designed for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Rockaway Beach

The Rockaway Hotel

Best for: A serene beachside retreat for the spa addict or surfer bro.
Location: 108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive, Queens, NY 11694

Stepping into this hotel feels like slipping past a Soho House check-in desk where they forgot to ask for without showing your membership card. It’s a lush upscale seacoast coastal escape in the most unassuming of places, right on the southerly edge of Brooklyn, near the five-mile Rockaway Beach. More of a New Yorker’s secret than a tourist destination, the lavish spa at the Rockaway has a sauna and pool, the latter of which pairs perfectly with a glass of champagne. Or Off the beaten track for most (it’s an hour into Manhattan on the subway), this hotel inspires with its 50 stylish guest rooms and suites in muted sand tones, with a restaurant, rooftop bar, and outdoor pool area. Less than a five-minute walk down the street is Tap That, a self-pour tap parlour, for a mix of local brews.

Downtown Brooklyn

The Tillary

Best for: The interior designer in your life.
Location: 85 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11201

The Tillary offers guests a unique blend of midcentury modern and art deco design in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn, making it a breeze to shuttle to nearly any part of the city. Its snug but sleek rooms feature local artwork and custom furnishings, with products by CO Bigelow – the oldest surviving apothecary-pharmacy in the United States – to scrub up with in the shower. Guests can also enjoy the hotel’s lobby cafe for a quick coffee or Danish to go or, later in the evening, a cocktail on the rooftop terrace and garden bar.

Dumbo

1 Hotel

Best for: Hiding out, or hitting your daily 10,000 steps.
Location: 60 Furman Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Found in the Dumbo neighbourhood (so called for its setting, Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass), the views from 1 Hotel are as quintessentially Brooklyn as you can get, with unobstructed views of Brooklyn Bridge and East River. Having played host to a slew of celebrity birthday parties, including Beyoncé, Shawn Mendes and Gigi Hadid, guests can be assured they will be in good company during their stay. The rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows, with reclaimed wood and industrial steel details. Dumbo is one of the more quaint neighbourhoods in Brooklyn, and the hotel’s walkable location places it close to many neighbourhood hotspots: if you’re looking for pizza, rival wood-fired pizza strongholds Juliana’s and Grimaldi’s are only steps away.

Greenpoint

Franklin Guesthouse

Best for: A home away from home.
Location: 214 Franklin Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222

For visitors keen to avoid more landmark-oriented accommodations, the Franklin Guesthouse is a homely and budget-friendly stay in the northern reaches of Greenpoint, a perfect launchpad from which to explore the local culture centred on art and international cuisine — the neighbourhood is home to the second-largest population of American-Polish people in the States. The hotel features loft-style rooms and dorms and a backyard patio. Though it has a lobby restaurant, Madre, with a fantastic fluke ceviche, it doesn’t offer breakfast. Guests might prefer a visit to Ilis, a New American kitchen highlighting seasonal ingredients down the street (just make sure to nab a reservation). Check in is a lowkey affair, more akin to walking into a friend’s Brooklyn studio apartment than a hotel.

Henry Norman

Best for: Loft-style stays and eccentric furnishings.
Location: 239 North Henry Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222

With the nearest subway stop 15 minutes away, the Henry Norman is more remote, but the converted 19th-century warehouse provides loft-style rooms (ceilings and windows are nearly 15-feet high) with a mix of vintage and contemporary furnishings, making this a restful hideaway. The hotel features a private courtyard, a gym and a rooftop terrace on the third floor with breathtaking views of Manhattan. Plus, Greenpoint’s culinary scene – often overlooked by visitors – is unparalleled.