Where to Stay in Brooklyn, New York
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Have you considered staying in the borough of Brooklyn on your next visit to NYC? Are you overwhelmed with deciding where to stay in Brooklyn, NY? When visiting the Big Apple Brooklyn is the place to stay. You can find cheaper hotels, hotels with magnificent views of Manhattan and still be only a couple subway stops away from all the big attractions in Manhattan. Not to mention you can discover everything that Brooklyn offers, from trendy restaurants to artsy shopping streets.
I visited NYC a couple of times in high school, but it wasn’t until 2013 when I was considering moving to NYC that I stepped foot in Brooklyn for the first time. I knew very little about the borough and had no idea about the best neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Brooklyn is huge and full of unique, diverse neighborhoods. Trust me, I know how intimidating it can be to know where the best areas to stay in Brooklyn are and which hotel to choose!
Since then I have lived in Brooklyn for several years and explored the neighborhoods in depth. My fellow travel bloggers and myself did the research for you and are bringing you the best neighborhoods to stay in Brooklyn and where to stay in each neighborhood.
Where to Stay in Brooklyn – Williamsburg
The William Vale
By Ricky from The Prince of Travel
The Hotel
The William Vale hotel is a modern and fashionable boutique hotel located in the north of the Williamsburg district in Brooklyn. While its rooms are not the largest, they are well-appointed and swanky, and offer great views of Manhattan from the balcony. The hotel also has a trendy bar and restaurant, Westlight, on its top floor, which offers a patio with sweeping views in the summer and even a rooftop ice-skating rink in the winter. In addition, there’s a small gym on the lower floors with all the essentials.
However, the William Vale doesn’t come cheap: the base rates begin at about $300 USD per night including taxes. Some rates include breakfast for two, which can be a good deal as it’s otherwise $25 USD per person. This hotel would be suitable for younger travelers and couples who like to stay trendy and perhaps add a touch of glamour to their stay in Brooklyn.
The Neighborhood
The Williamsburg neighborhood is one of Brooklyn’s most hip and happening, with cafes, bars, restaurants (from every cuisine around the world), galleries, and cute shops lining every street. The famous Brooklyn Flea Market is only a few steps away from the William Vale, and is a lovely spot to spend an afternoon. The street art in the neighboring side-alleys are also worth checking out.
In terms of transportation options, the closest subway station is Bedford Avenue on the L Train; however, my personal favorite way to get to Manhattan is to take the New York Ferries instead, which departs from the North Williamsburg ferry terminal about 10 minutes’ walk from the hotel. From there, you can catch regular ferry services to either Wall St or E 34th Street, all while taking in the killer views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges.
Overall, I’d recommend staying in Brooklyn if you’d like to stay close to the action, but not quite in the middle of Manhattan which can easily get a little chaotic!
Book your stay at the William Vale Hotel today!
The Williamsburg Hotel
By Kara from Whimsy Soul
The Hotel
The Neighborhood
Williamsburg is a trendy neighborhood and the hotel is located just one train stopover from Manhattan, making it a great central location for exploring while offering a little more breathing room than Manhattan hotels. Guests also have access to a tuk-tuk but it’s easy to walk around on foot. There’s a bar in the lobby but I suggest walking over to Radegast Hall & Biergarten, a German beer garden, for happy hour. It’s also a short walk to Joe’s Pizza, one of those classic “pizza by the slice” NYC joints that every visitor simply must try once before leaving the city.
Book your stay at the Williamsburg Hotel today!
Where to Stay in Brooklyn – Downtown
NU Hotel
The Hotel
The NU Hotel is a modern, boutique hotel. While the hotel has a trendy feel there are also many artsy touches. The Brooklyn themed murals in the rooms match well with the artsy feel found in many neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Every morning a continental breakfast is served in the lobby and bar area. There is a well-equipped 24/7 gym and complimentary bicycles available to borrow on a first come, first served basis.
The hotel is pet friendly and offers a few extra goodies for the doggies, like dog beds and treats. Parking is available for an extra $30 – $40 per night depending on your vehicle size.
The Neighborhood
The NU hotel is located downtown (technically the neighborhood of Boreum Hill). While downtown Brooklyn is super handy, the neighborhood doesn’t have as much character as other neighborhoods. It’s a business and commercial area. It’s great if you are in the city for business or looking to do some retail shopping.
If you are looking to explore other areas it still can be the perfect location because it is so easy to get around Brooklyn and Manhattan from the hotel. There are several different subway stations within a few blocks of the hotel. You can reach lower Manhattan in less than 20 minutes usually.
One of my favorite museums in the city, the New York Transit Museum is only a couple blocks away. A fun Mediterranean restaurant with delicious fries (I seriously mention these whenever I can) is close by. A 10 minute walk away is Dekalb Market Hall where you will find a trendy food market with too many delicious options to choose from!
Book your stay at the NU Hotel today!
Hilton
By Brenda from Traveleira
The Hotel
The Neighborhood
Book your stay at the Hilton today!
Hampton Inn
By Corinna from One Smith Day
The Hotel
The Hampton Inn Brooklyn/Downtown is a great choice for travelers headed to the NYC area. This mid-priced hotel is very modern and has accommodations for everyone just within reach of Manhattan. King and queen rooms are spacious for the area and include full bathrooms with tubs – making this a great choice for couples or small families. If you don’t score a Manhattan-view room, check out the sight from the 23rd-floor terrace.
The amenities at the Hampton Inn Brooklyn/Downtown are great for travelers. There is a free hot breakfast buffet every morning to fill you up before you explore the city as well as tea and hot chocolate each evening when you return. Free WiFi and a business center make printing boarding passes or tour tickets a breeze. If you didn’t get enough exercise walking about the city, there’s a fitness center as well.
This hotel is clean, has a sleek city atmosphere and great amenities which make it a great choice for those who are looking to save some money but still have a quality stay!
The Neighborhood
The Hampton Inn Brooklyn/Downtown is right on the border between downtown and DUMBO. This area is great because there are lots of things to do here, like the New York Transit Museum, and several great restaurants. Of note, Junior’s Restaurant and Bakery serves up famous New York-style cheesecake and is just down the street. Several nearby parks provide some outdoor green space for the kids to play in or to take a picnic if the weather is right. There are three nearby subway stops with the nearest being the Jay St./MetroTech station. It is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel door along streets with decent sidewalks. We walked the path many times- morning and late into the night. There is also a convenient Chase ATM at the bank within a few blocks of the hotel should you need it.
Arguably one of the coolest things nearby is the beginning of the Brooklyn Bridge Walkway. A quick six-minute walk brings you to the beginning of a definite must-do in NYC. Take a leisurely walk across this iconic bridge heading towards Manhattan. It just may be one of the highlights of your visit.
Book your stay at the Hampton Inn today!
MORE HOTELS IN DOWNTOWN
Where to Stay in Brooklyn – DUMBO
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
By Megan from Your Brooklyn Guide
The Hotel
One of the best hotels in Brooklyn is the luxury 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. This incredible hotel boasts one of the best views in the city in the popular DUMBO neighborhood overlooking not only the Brooklyn Bridge, but also the Manhattan skyline. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is also home to Harriet’s Rooftop & Lounge, one of our picks for the best rooftop bars in the city offering spectacular views.
This is one of the finest hotels in Brooklyn and one of the best places to stay if you’re looking for a unique experience in this 5-star property. The hotel offers room service, complimentary wifi, and industrial-chic rooms.
The Neighborhood
Book your stay at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge today!
MORE HOTELS IN DUMBO
Where to Stay in Brooklyn – Park Slope
Holiday Inn Express Brooklyn
The Hotel
The Holiday Inn Express is a great choice for anyone looking for a mid-range hotel from a trusted chain. The property is smoke free and pets are allowed with a deposit. The rooms are modern and clean. Every morning there is a great complimentary breakfast with a good variety of items. The only downside of the hotel is that if you are traveling with a vehicle, you need to pay $40 for parking every night.
The Neighborhood
The hotel is technically in Gowanus, a former industrial area. Now it is more developed with art galleries, bars and restaurants. It appeals more to young professionals. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is across the street and serves yummy southern style meats. Ample Hills, one of the best ice cream shops with unique flavors, is a couple blocks away.
Park slope is only one avenue away. Park Slope is a charming residential neighborhood. It’s one of the many neighborhoods where you will find the classic Brooklyn tree-lined streets full of brownstones. It’s a family friendly area with boutique shops and independent restaurants along 5th and 7th avenues.
Park Slope is the neighborhood I have eaten in the most in the whole city. It’s no surprise that I am having a hard time recommending just a few places! From the Barclay’s Center all the way to 15th street, 5th avenue is mostly restaurants. Simply walk down the street and choose the cuisine that most appeals to you. I do need to urge you to go to the Chocolate Room though! It’s a chocolate focused dessert shop, do I need to say more?
The R subway line is on the corner near the hotel. Atlantic Terminal is one stop away on the subway or a 15 minute walk. Many different subway lines stop at Atlantic Terminal, so you can easily get around the city from the Holiday Inn Express.
Book your stay at the Holiday Inn Express Brooklyn today!
Where to Stay in Brooklyn – Sunset Park
The Hotels
I lived in Sunset Park for four years. Unfortunately the ratings of the hotel I stayed in on my first visit have gone down and the hotel where my family stayed when they visited is no longer available. I can’t vouch for a specific hotel in the area, but I can recommend the neighborhood. The Quality Inn is a newer hotel in Sunset Park where you will typically save $30 or more a night compared to other mid-range hotels in other neighborhoods. The four star Wyndam Garden in the area has a more modern feel and is comparable to other mid-range hotels in Brooklyn. While the Insignia Hotel is a trendy, boutique hotel it offers slightly lower prices than you will receive in other areas.
The Neighborhood
Sunset Park isn’t known (yet) for being a trendy, hip Brooklyn neighborhood. But what it lacks in popularity, it makes up with reasonable prices, easy access to Manhattan and a local experience.
Around 5th avenue in Sunset Park you will find a large latino community and the best and cheapest Mexican food in NYC. Make sure to check out Tacos El Bronco and Maria’s. For a great deal and authentic Mexican tacos go to Tacos El Bronco food truck on 5th avenue between 39th and 40th street. They are cash only and open late. One of NYC’s many chinatowns is located on 8th avenue in Sunset Park. One of my favorite cafes in the whole city, Cafe Zona Sur, is located on 4th Avenue & 44th St. They serve American comfort food that is interesting enough to have a great flavor, but not too crazy to give it a high price tag.
Sunset park is a small park that locals flock to. It’s a great place for people watching and views of Manhattan. Who needs an expensive high rise? Greenwood cemetery is a large, historical place where you can walk around on your own or take a trolley tour.
MORE HOTELS IN SUNSET PARK
In general when searching for where to stay in Brooklyn I recommend hotels within the neighborhoods on the west side of the borough. From Bay Ridge in the south up to Greenpoint in the north are all safe, yet very different neighborhoods. While there are a lot of nice, safe areas in central Brooklyn, the further you go east gets a little dicer. Even if there is nothing wrong with the neighborhood there are not as many things to do and you will have a much longer commute to Manhattan.
Hopefully this Brooklyn accommodation and neighborhood guide will help you choose the best places to stay in Brooklyn for your travels. If you have any questions about a neighborhood in Brooklyn please drop me a comment below!
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4 Comments
Taylor
I’m from outside of NYC on the NJ side and I definitely want to explore more of Brooklyn and stay at one of their unique hotels. I am definitely keeping this handy. 🙂
The Fearless Foreigner
I love exploring in Brooklyn! Hope you are able to check out one of these Brooklyn hotels sometime 🙂
Cherryl
Great photographs – love the Brooklyn Brownstones bulidings, these are very charming. 😊
The Fearless Foreigner
Thank you!!