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Here at the Strategist, we like to think of ourselves as crazy (in the good way) about the stuff we buy, but we get even more obsessive when it comes to the places we visit. After all, you can’t return a hotel stay like you would a carry-on suitcase or travel pillow. And as much as we’d like to, we can’t stay everywhere. That’s why we’ve expanded our People’s Choice rubric to include TripAdvisor, in which we follow the wisdom of the crowd to find the best-reviewed hotels and single out the most convincing ones. (You can learn more about our rating system and how we pick each item here.)
We read through over 200 hotel listings to find the ten best hotels in Brooklyn, according to the most enthusiastic reviewers on TripAdvisor.
Best-rated boutique hotel in Brooklyn
214 Franklin St., Brooklyn, NY 11222
Franklin Guesthouse, a 30-suite hotel located in Greenpoint and run by the same folks who own the highly rated Greenpoint hotels Henry Norman Hotel and Box Hotel, stood out to many reviewers for its design. The loft-style suites and studios feature spacious layouts with hardwood floors, marble bathrooms, and, according to one traveler, “unique art and knickknacks that don’t scream ‘hotel.’” The suites, which all come with fully stocked kitchens, are described by dozens of reviewers as apartmentlike. One reviewer from Houston describes the décor as “somewhat of a Scandinavian style,” thanks to the clean white and gray accents and light-wood furniture. But aside from the rooms, reviewers praised the staff’s hospitality and, in particular, an employee named Dwight. One reviewer explains that when she called the hotel for an early check-in owing to her husband’s migraine, it was unable to accommodate. However, Dwight met them at their restaurant and offered to bring her ailing husband to urgent care or fetch an Advil. And when another traveler, who’d stayed at the Franklin for three weeks, went to check out, he was delighted to find a farewell greeting card signed by all of the staff.
Best-rated chain hotel in Brooklyn
125 Flatbush Ave. Ext., Brooklyn, NY 11201
This Hampton Inn, located in Downtown Brooklyn just a few blocks from the A/C Jay Street–Metrotech Station, has dozens of repeat customers, like one who stayed here twice in four months for over 13 nights in total. He says a standout feature is the complimentary breakfast, which offers fresh fruit, bagels from a local bakery, turkey sausage, and homemade waffles. Nearly 100 more guests call out the complimentary breakfast as a highlight, with many saying that even compared to other Hampton Inns, the choices were “a notch above,” as one reviewer puts it. The all-day fresh-baked cookies in the lobby were another culinary highlight, but the rooms themselves are “what you would expect from the Hampton Inn, simple and clean,” writes one reviewer from Chicago, who was in town for the AfroPunk Music Festival. “There wasn’t anything flashy or incredibly high-end about the room, but it had everything that you need to have a good experience.” The hospitality, especially from manager Brian, also made reviewers’ stays feel more personalized. One Manhattan resident stayed at the Hampton Inn for her wedding and says Brian brought bagels to her room as well as a floral bouquet on the day of the event. Another reviewer, who also stayed there for her wedding, booked over 40 different rooms for 80-plus people and found that Brian made check-in and check-out the fastest any of them had ever experienced.
Best-rated (less expensive) hotel in Brooklyn
46 Nevins St., Brooklyn, NY 11217
For those looking to get in a proper workout while away from home, the Even Hotel, located in Downtown Brooklyn, has a comprehensive gym and in-room fitness equipment, including yoga mat, exercise ball, resistance bands, and workout guides. “The emphasis on physical health with in-room equipment and yoga mat is very creative for folks who lose their routine when traveling,” writes one reviewer, who notes that Even offered “a positive, relaxed environment during a busy workweek.” One more reviewer appreciates that you can easily “workout without stepping out of the room.” The rooms are simply decorated but have enough floor space for travelers to practice yoga each morning or get in some ab exercises. And lots of travelers say that they feel rejuvenated after staying here, including one New Jersey native who stayed here for two nights on business. “From the check-in where I was treated to a flavored water and warm moist towel, to my room which had its own exercise equipment, to the fully equipped gym which included free weights, to a shower, to the room itself, to the amazingly healthy and delicious food, everything combined to make me feel mentally and physically fantastic.”
And now for some micro-picks for every type of hotel in Brooklyn you might be looking for.
Best hotel in Brooklyn for a restaurant and bar
77 Box St., Brooklyn, NY 11222.
Located in a converted factory, the Box Hotel features 130 spacious rooms that each have high ceilings with industrial details, including exposed pipes and dark hardwood floors. The décor errs on the modern side, yet reviewers still say the rooms have a homey feel, with footed beds and plush sofas. But the one amenity that stood out in nearly 500 reviews was the in-hotel restaurant, the Brooklyn Lantern. The moderately priced restaurant and bar is open all day, with basics like burgers and truffle fries for dinner and eggs Benedict for brunch. One traveler from Manchester says he “had one of the best burgers ever there.” And another recommends the French toast for breakfast. Reviewers who stopped by the bar specifically mention the bartender Dave. One traveler who stayed at the Box Hotel “for 30 days on business” writes, “Dave in the bar was truly a master mixology.” (He advises future customers to try his old-fashioned.) If you want to eat outside the hotel, though, reviewers suggest you look for Felix, the driver of the hotel’s old-fashioned car. He’ll travel within a mile of the hotel and take you to the restaurant of your choice, an experience that one reviewer says “made us feel like celebrities.”
Best hotel in Brooklyn with a pool
60 Furman St., Brooklyn, NY 11201.
“I truly felt like I entered a sanctuary when I crossed the door to my room, and then you leave your room and you’re in another peaceful world in the lobby, lounge, restaurants, rooftop pool,” writes one traveler from Washington, D.C., of the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, which is located right above the Brooklyn Bridge Park with a clear view of the Manhattan skyline. Lots more reviewers mention how fabulous the pool is, including one who describes it as “almost infinity-ish.” With a bar on the deck, travelers can order a cocktail and small bites, like French fries and soft pretzels. A few reviewers note that the pool is relatively small, so it can fill up quickly, but one person who stayed here on his honeymoon suggests “nipping to the pool mid-morning before going out for the day as it’s quiet and relaxing at that time.” The rooms, too, feel peaceful, with rustic wood planks on the ceiling and stone-walled bathrooms, both of which, one reviewer says, give the rooms almost an “oasis-feel.” Another traveler specifically points out “the wonderful smell when you walk into their lobby,” which is the hotel’s signature scent, created with cardamom, eucalyptus leaves, oakwood, cedarwood, olibanum, musk, and tree moss.
Best hotel in Brooklyn for views
111 N. 12th St., Brooklyn, NY 11249
The William Vale is located on Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg, just one block from the East River, which gives each room a dramatic view of Manhattan. “I paid for the cheap room; however, still got Manhattan views without even asking,” writes one traveler. Each open-concept room features floor-to-ceiling windows and wrap-around balconies that brighten the space with an abundance of natural light. Guests enjoyed the minimal décor, with bright whites and light woods, which one reviewer says complements the “soft light.” In addition to the charming décor, the above-and-beyond hospitality, specifically from the hotel ambassador Peter, are mentioned by many reviewers. “I travel constantly for work and fun, I’ve stayed everywhere from Motel 6 to the Ritz, and I can say wholeheartedly that I have never met such a genuinely wonderful staff member in my life,” writes one traveler. One more stand-out feature of The William Vale is the hotel’s Southern Italian–style restaurant, Leuca. Not only are the sommeliers “super with it,” according to one reviewer, but another traveler says the food “rivals some of the best places in Brooklyn and Manhattan.”
Best hotel in Brooklyn for business trips
235 Meeker Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11211
Most of the Hotel Le Jolie reviewers are travelers who’ve come to the city for business and use the hotel as an office in-between meetings. One traveler says for business trips, it’s “a refreshing change from the chain hotels,” though it offers similar basic amenities one would expect from a chain. Some rooms feature jazzy wallpaper and pops of blues and greens throughout, while others are a bit more standard with basic brown and beige furniture that’s typical for a business or airport hotel. Another business traveler says a major bonus of this hotel that few others offer is free parking. He also enjoyed the free buffet, saying it “offered all the basics to get you out the door and on your way.” Many travelers say they’ve stayed here more than once, like one reviewer who has “been regularly staying at Hotel Le Jolie for over three years now.” Because the hotel is conveniently located close to the Williamsburg Bridge, he says that commuting into Manhattan is quick and painless, regardless of the time of day.
Best hotel in Brooklyn for a large room
251 N. Henry St., Brooklyn, NY 11222
The apartmentlike rooms of the Henry Norman hotel stood out to reviewers looking for more space than most city hotels can typically offer. Each of the 52 rooms in this boutique Greenpoint hotel feature industrial décor, like exposed pipes and brick. One traveler calls the look “eclectic and inviting.” Many appreciate the high ceilings, with one reviewer saying they “add to the sense of space.” You can request either a city-view loft or a garden-view room with a balcony, which only adds to the apartment feel of this hotel. For extended stays, the loft suite deluxe includes a full kitchen, which many travelers say comes in handy. One loved that he could “bring treats back to the room for leisurely breakfasts” and easily heat up leftovers. But for those who don’t need a kitchen, one traveler from Oakland, California, says the staff has great recommendations for places to eat nearby.
Best hotel in Brooklyn for families
56 Franklin Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11205
Parents traveling with children or families hoping to stay together in one room chose the Condor Hotel in Williamsburg because of the large rooms. The hotel even provides rollaway beds and cribs if needed. It’s not as trendy as other hotels in the neighborhood, like The William Vale or Wythe, and reviewers report that the rooms are carpeted with chocolate-brown rugs and feature Tiffany-blue accents. But many are willing to overlook the design details considering the size of the room. One reviewer from upstate New York stayed at the Condor with two little kids, saying the room easily fit her entire family without being too cramped. Another traveler, from San Francisco, originally planned to stay at the Condor for only two weeks but ended up extending his stay to the full six weeks. The staff, he writes, treated him with “nothing but respect and excellent attitude,” and by the end of the trip, he knew everyone who worked there by name.
Best art hotel in Brooklyn
85 Smith St., Brooklyn, NY 11201
Each of the 93 NU Hotel’s retro-themed rooms are decorated differently. A select few even feature large-scale murals from local artists, while others have everything from hammocks to laser-cut metal headboards to lively pop art. The hotel, located around the corner from Atlantic Avenue, is not the fanciest option in the neighborhood, but it’s efficient, and nearly 100 guests call it “fun.” One reviewer says she “felt like I was the cool kid staying there” because of the décor. But she mainly appreciated that she had enough space during her weeklong stay for her grandchildren to pop by and not feel cramped. Nearly 300 reviewers also specifically mention the free Continental breakfast as a highlight. “It is small, but mighty,” writes one reviewer, adding that it had plenty of options, including hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, fruit, oatmeal, and fresh bagels. The hotel’s efforts to be ecofriendly were also noticed by reviewers, with details like recycled-hardwood floors and furniture made out of repurposed material. The bathrooms feature full-size refillable pumps of L’Occitane products, which as one traveler notes, “eliminates the millions of single-use plastic bottles.”
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