Brooklyn hotels

The Ace, long-known for its 29th Street stalwart in Manhattan, quietly opened its Brooklyn location a couple of years ago in an up-and-coming neighbourhood perched between classic brownstone Brooklyn and the nascent downtown area.

With nearly 300 rooms, this location is the brand’s largest yet and one of the best hotels in Brooklyn for those looking for a livelier spot. You’ll find many of those signature Ace ‘calling cards’ here: the buzzy lobby, the industrial-chic design (the building’s brutalist exterior is unique for the neighbourhood) and comfortable rooms with touches like Smeg refrigerators and assortments of vinyl records.

All-day restaurant As You Are is relaxed and friendly, with pastries and coffee in the morning before it transforms into a neighbourhood hangout in the evening – one that serves lamb ribs and a hedonistic burger on a homemade English muffin. Montreal-style bagel favourite Black Seed also operates an outpost in the hotel.

Nestled in Brooklyn’s far northern tip – a neighbourhood called Greenpoint – the Box House is one of the most underrated boutique hotels in Brooklyn. As you might gather from the name, Box House is located in a converted factory with a four-story modern addition set atop it.

Known for being one of the best hotels in Brooklyn, the 130 loft-style rooms are cute and comfortable, retaining original details and soaring ceilings juxtaposed alongside modern details like kitchenettes.

The contemporary addition above has incredible views of the city’s skyline, and some rooms come with terraces for a welcome breath of fresh air.

While the Box House may not have the vast assortment of amenities that some of the bigger names do, the hotel does have a fitness centre with a sauna and steam showers and is home to Brooklyn Lantern, an all-day American bistro.

You can’t miss the William Vale in Williamsburg's otherwise low-slung skyline. This trendy boutique hotel in Williamsburg is also among the best hotels in Brooklyn, known for jaw-dropping skyline views, a rollicking pool scene and an emphasis on local art and makers.

It’s also one of the best hotels in Brooklyn in terms of location, situated just steps from McCarren Park, weekly outdoor food market Smorgasburg, and some of Williamsburg’s best restaurants and bars.

You won’t need to leave the hotel for either, though: The William Vale is home to Westlight, an upscale cocktail bar set on the 22nd-floor roof with an outdoor terrace, and Leuca, an intimate Italian restaurant led by chef Andrew Carmellini's NoHo Hospitality Group.

Rooms are modern and bright, with most letting the views speak for themselves, bar the occasional colourful work of art by a local artist.

The rapidly expanding Hoxton brand landed in one of Brooklyn’s coolest neighbourhoods to much fanfare – no surprise, given it’s also home to two of the city’s buzziest restaurants.

At K’Far, Philly celebrity chef Michael Solomonov serves an all-day menu alongside a takeaway bakery. Equally famous Philly fave Laser Wolf has taken over the roof, with an inventive menu of Israeli cuisine cooked over fire, making this one of the best hotels in Brooklyn for foodies.

Rooms are compact but very liveable, and expansive windows with Manhattan skyline views afford the illusion of more space. Even though bathrooms are on the smaller side, marble sinks and brass rainwater showers keep The Hoxton from feeling like a ‘budget’ hotel.

If you’re looking for a hip crowd, affordable rates and comfortable rooms in an excellent location, ‘the Hox’ is easily one of the best hotels in Brooklyn.

In the eyes of most Brooklyners, the Wythe started the borough’s boutique hotel boom. Once a textile factory, the substantial brick building was revitalised by architect Morris Adjmi.

Rooms, of which there are 72, are bright and spacious, with neutral, comfortable decor that’s befitting of the early 19th-century building without feeling stuffy.

Not surprisingly, ground-floor bistro Le Crocodile and rooftop bar Bar Blondeau draw the crowds – the former known for its menu of French faves like steak au poivre, beef tartare, and escargots, and the latter for its sweeping Manhattan city views.

The Wythe is also popular for hipster weddings, thanks to two impeccably restored industrial event spaces. Getting to Manhattan from here is a breeze – just one stop away on the L train – making it one of the best hotels in Brooklyn for those looking to explore the Big Apple.

The rooms at The Penny Williamsburg offer more than just a place to rest your head – they provide a cozy retreat with a touch of luxury. Each room features hardwood floors, convenient kitchenettes, complimentary coffee, and plush robes. Located in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, The Penny offers the chance to live like a local in this bustling neighbourhood.

Just steps from the hotel, you can enjoy breakfast at 7 Grain Army, a casual bakery specialising in gluten- and dairy-free options, or shop at vintage clothing hotspot 10ft. Single by Stella Dallas, which carries both men’s and women’s fashions.

Or head to Union Pool, a chill dive bar with ample outdoor space that includes a taco truck, located in an old pool supply store that’s a must-visit for fans of live music of all genres.

A pool scene in Brooklyn? Coda Williamsburg, once McCarren Hotel, has that and more. A stone’s-throw from McCarren Park, the 64-room Coda is home to New York City’s largest heated adults-only outdoor pool, opened each year in mid-May and accessible to all hotel guests and those who purchase a daybed pass.

An adjacent rooftop bar keeps tunes and good vibes flowing all day – cool down with a watermelon lemonade, made with Grey Goose watermelon-basil premium vodka, fresh lemon, turbinado, and pomegranate syrup.

Rooms are described as ‘boho-sophisticated’, with crisp linens, wood floors, and toiletries by L.A. brand Apothia. (Balconies are available in some rooms, a rarity throughout the five boroughs.)

Coda is one of the best hotels in Brooklyn if you’re looking for a hip, Miami Beach-reminiscent pool scene in the heart of New York City.

With all the comforts of a familiar brand and a prime location, the Hilton Brooklyn is one of the best hotels in Brooklyn, wrapped up in an understated package.

You won’t find an over-the-top bar scene here or hipsters typing away on their laptops in the lobby, but you will find clean, comfortable, and spacious rooms, a well-equipped gym, solid Wi-Fi, a generous pet policy, and on-site parking (for a fee).

Ask for a corner room to enjoy expansive vistas of South Brooklyn and beyond, making this one of the best hotels in Brooklyn for city views – at night, you can enjoy the glittering lights of the Verrazano Bridge while cruise ships and massive freighters traverse the waters of New York Harbor.

The hotel has easy access to numerous subway lines and is within walking distance of some of Brooklyn’s most charming neighbourhoods, like Boerum Hill and Carroll Gardens.

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is arguably the borough’s best luxury hotel. Walking in, you’ll be met with reclaimed wood galore, enough plants to make you think you’re in the Amazon, and a heady scent that’s become the brand’s trademark.

Sustainability is key here, and that’s an ethos that transfers over to the rooms as well, all of which have filtered tap fillers and organic cotton mattresses, a great option for eco-minded travellers.

Views are second to none, and the building’s low-slung height, positioned just across the river from Manhattan, makes it feel like you’re in the city, not just gazing down on it.

Farm-to-table restaurant The Osprey serves an Aussie-inflected menu with seasonality at its core, while rooftop bar Harriet’s is the spot for a nightcap – just don’t skip one of the many wellness activities offered the next morning.

Williamsburg location? Check. Rooftop bar? Check. A hip new restaurant? Check. If all of the above are the cornerstones of the best hotels in Brooklyn, Moxy’s new property fits the bill.

Describing itself as ‘playfully executed’, Moxy, a Marriott brand, is known for big-city hotels with smaller rooms and vibrant social spaces. Expect a welcome drink upon check-in before heading up to your room – a compact affair that subs a pegboard wall for a closet and wall-mounted desks for a workspace.

Still, you won’t lack creature comforts here: there’s blazing-fast Wi-Fi, 300 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, and walk-in rain showers. Food and drink at the Moxy Brooklyn are handled by Bar Lab, the creative team behind the award-winning cocktail bar Broken Shaker.

Try Tel-Aviv-inspired Mesiba, all-day café Bar Bedford, or Indo-Aussie rooftop bar LilliStar for stellar Manhattan skyline views. Pets under 30 pounds are welcome, too.