Brooklyn, long considered the little brother to the borough to its west, is no longer playing second fiddle to Manhattan. While it may not yet rival Manhattan in sheer volume of offerings, a growing luxury hotel scene and a burgeoning culinary landscape have elevated the borough to new heights, making it a compelling destination for luxury travelers visiting the Big Apple.
You might not find a Ritz-Carlton on the east side of the East River, but what you will find is a slate of boutique hotels, all born relatively recently compared to its contemporaries in Manhattan’s various neighborhoods (see other reports about the luxury hotel scene near Central Park, on the Upper East Side, and South of Houston Street), with trendy restaurants and rooftop bars on-site.
For frequent visitors looking to explore beyond Manhattan—or for those simply seeking the best views of the city’s skyline—these are the top hotel suite offerings in Brooklyn:
1. The William Vale
2. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
3. The Wythe Hotel
4. The Ace Hotel
5. The Hoxton
6. Arlo Williamsburg
The William Vale
Rising 22 stories high above the shores of Brooklyn’s waterfront is Williamsburg’s William Vale hotel. The hotel opened in 2016 on Wythe Avenue in the trendy North Brooklyn neighborhood, a block away from the East River, and walking distance to McCarren Park, which separates Williamsburg from its neighbor to the north, Greenpoint, and Domino Park, where visitors can watch the East River ferry into Manhattan or down to DUMBO.
Forbes calls the hotel, which landed on the publication’s 2025 Recommended list, “a bold Brooklyn stunner.”
“Since its opening in 2016, the property has become a welcoming hub for guests and locals alike, making it a place to stay, eat or simply hang out. This is especially true for your city-view balcony — every room has one — as well as Vale Park, a 15,000-square-foot public green space atop the hotel’s roof that invites you to linger on the small rolling hills with picnic blankets and at alfresco tables where you can savor stunning skyline views — this is Brooklyn, after all,” Forbes writes.
The hotel has become a magnet for locals and visitors seeking the best views of Manhattan—the view from the 22nd-floor bar, known as Westlight, is hard to rival anywhere in the boroughs, as is the view from its rooftop pool, which, at 60 ft. long, is the longest of its kind in Brooklyn.
For food and drink on-site, there is Westlight, which offers light bites and elevated cocktails in a posh environment, but there’s also Leuca, its signature restaurant that is helmed by Locanda Verde’s Andrew Carmellini and serves Southern Italian cuisine, along with breakfast, on the hotel’s ground floor.
The Vale Garden Residence
There are a lot of elevated suite options at The William Vale, including corner suites with wraparound balconies that get guests views of both Manhattan and Brooklyn.
“Floor-to-ceiling windows are universal, as are balconies, and the rooms’ monochrome backdrop and colorful accents make the most of the plentiful sunlight. Queen rooms are by no means small, suites are downright spacious, and the addition of usable outdoor space is a rare luxury for New York,” the Michelin Guide writes of the rooms at The William Vale.
However, the top offering, the Vale Garden Residence, could rival any luxury suite in Manhattan.
The duplex suite offers two bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms, a primary bathroom with a giant soaking tub and a two-headed rainfall shower, and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that drop the city into the living room.
The standout feature of the residence is a 1,623 sq. ft. private balcony, with a lounge area and marble dining table, along with a large, open air jacuzzi.
For more, head to The William Vale website.
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
There might not be a better piece of real estate in New York City, outside of Manhattan, than the slice of land that 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge sits on at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge overlooking Brooklyn Bridge Park, DUMBO, and Brooklyn Heights.
The 195-room hotel, in view as you drive or walk over the Brooklyn Bridge from the Manhattan side, is a “mission-drive hotel,” which targets sustainable luxury, a common goal for all of SH Hotels & Resorts’ properties.
Condé Nast Traveler said of the hotel “Calm and cool, modern, and with a palette of serene neutrals, the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is meant to let the outdoors in, and accomplishes that with plenty of natural light and greenery (including lots of plants everywhere) and iconic DUMBO neighborhood views.”
The views extend to Harriet’s, the main food and drink outpost at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge that sits on the building’s rooftop, overlooking the East River, and showcasing that same lower Manhattan view. Harriet’s offers a bespoke cocktail list along with an Asian-inspired menu that’s available until 7 p.m. each night.
They also extend to the hotels’ rooftop pool, open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Riverhouse
There are four types of suites at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, all sleeping up to four people, and all guaranteeing guests a view of either the Brooklyn Bridge or the Manhattan Skyline. The top offering, the Riverhouse Suite, more than triples the size of any of the other three at 2,000 sq. ft.
Filling that space is two king-sized bedrooms, a separate living room, a bathroom with triple-filtered rain shower and separate chiseled stone tub with Bamford amenities, and giant floor-to-ceiling windows facing lower Manhattan.
Riverhouse guests also receive nightly turndown service upon request, priority seating at restaurants and bars based on availability, complimentary mini bar snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, a $100 hotel credit per stay, a complimentary 50-minute deep tissue massage at Bamford Wellness Spa, daily breakfast for two (up to a $50 credit), and early check-in and late check-out when available.
For more, head to 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge.
Wythe Hotel
Back in North Brooklyn, not far from the William Vale, sits the Wythe Hotel—a former industrial factory that has lived many lives. Originally a sugar refinery, then a textile factory, the building was transformed into a boutique hotel in 2012. Today, the hotel preserves its historic character both inside and out, with exposed brick walls, concrete floors, high ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline on one side and Williamsburg on the other.
The hotel was named a best hotel in New York City by Travel + Leisure, Rolling Stone, and Condé Nast Traveler.
The location is perfect for guests wanting to be in the middle of Williamsburg, which has become one of the hippest neighborhoods in all of New York City, and want easy access to Manhattan via the L train or the East River Ferry, both an easy walk from the hotel. It’s also just a short walk to Domino Park, another Williamsburg restoration story that has been transformed from its previous life as the site of the old Domino Sugar Factory.
“If you’re choosing to stay in Williamsburg, you probably want an industrial-chic vibe, and Wythe Hotel delivers,” Conde Nast Traveler says of the Wythe.
“The location is in the heart of Williamsburg, the rooms are visually pleasing and comfortable, the restaurant is awesome—there’s nothing you’ll lack while staying here (it’s even a short one stop L train ride into Manhattan).”
That “awesome” restaurant is Le Crocodile, a ground floor French outpost by Chef Partners Jake Leiber and Aidan O’Neal that The New Yorker called “Brooklyn’s answer to Balthanzar,” the Keith McNally eatery in Manhattan. Le Crocodile is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving a classic French menu with oysters, onion soup, mushroom pate, escargot, roast chicken, and profiteroles.
The Penthouse Loft
Staying true to the hotel’s industrial-chic aesthetic, each room at the Wythe Hotel features thoughtful nods to the building’s past, including exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Unlike many New York hotels known for their compact spaces, the Wythe offers generously sized rooms—even the bathrooms.
“Bathrooms are roomy and just what you need, with Davines bath products,” Condé Nast Traveler noted in its review.
The standout accommodation is the two-story, 1,350-square-foot Penthouse Loft, complete with a private terrace and sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline from the hotel’s eighth floor. Guests staying in the Loft enjoy the same Davines bath amenities as other guests, with the added luxury of a soaking tub and plush Turkish towels.
For more, head to The Wythe Hotel.
The Ace Hotel, Brooklyn
Closer to Brooklyn’s downtown is The Ace Hotel, a 287-room property stuck between Downtown Brooklyn and Boerum Hill, one of the busier areas of the borough. The property was Ace’s largest hotel when it opened, and, despite the brand’s reputation for affordability, takes things to a higher level with elevated offerings inside and outside its guest rooms, with small touches that rise the property high above its peers in the area.
Of the hotel, the Michelin Guide writes that “all Ace hotels strive for affordability, but these aren’t bargain-rack rooms; even the smallest have floor-to-ceiling windows, Smeg fridges, Tivoli radios, and some feature either Music Hall turntables or acoustic guitars by the legendary New York luthier D’Angelico.”
The hotel is good for guests who want to be away from the trendiness of Williamsburg and near the heart of Downtown Brooklyn, along with those who want access to, perhaps, the borough’s best hotel gym, which is a standout feature in the Conde Nast Traveler review:
“It’s not often I feel the need to mention a hotel gym—but this gym is stellar, and not just because of its functional equipment. The Ace team partnered with Yeah, I Work Out, a streetwear-meets-gym apparel brand, to design the third-floor gym, filling it with vintage equipment, ‘80s wrestling trophies, and bodybuilder posters,” Conde Nast wrote.
“It feels opposite to the usual boxy, white, stark hotel gyms I’m used to—in the best possible way. It’s not particularly big, but it’s filled with more than enough character to get you through your workout.”
The Ace Suite
Almost all the suites on this list landed here partly because of their outstanding views, usually of Manhattan. The Ace Hotel’s Ace Suite, the top offering at the property, is no different.
A two-room suite located on the hotel’s top floor, the suite includes floor-to-ceiling windows for a view of Brooklyn’s downtown and lower Manhattan across the East River. The suite includes two full-sized bathrooms (one with a tub) along with two SMEG refrigerators, original artwork from local artists, a custom Tivoli radio, a D’Angelico acoustic guitar, and a Music Hall record player.
For more, head to The Ace Hotel, Brooklyn.
The Hoxton, Williamsburg
Another hotel in North Brooklyn’s trendy Williamsburg neighborhood, The Hoxton stands out for its location in a sleek, modern building surrounded by the area’s industrial landscape.
The 175-room hotel marks the American debut of London-based hospitality group The Hoxton, which launched its first property in Shoreditch—another hip, urban neighborhood known for its music and culinary scenes.
The Williamsburg outpost sits near The William Vale and The Wythe Hotel, part of a stretch that’s become the heart of Brooklyn’s boutique hotel scene. Like the neighborhood itself, the hotel leans into a chic, modern design sensibility.
Here’s how Condé Nast Traveler describes it:
“The UK-based Ennismore designed the hotel to feel extremely Brooklyn, dotting it with locally sourced vintage furniture and bookshelves displaying hefty tomes on contemporary art, and ’70s-style chandeliers hanging from the lofty ceiling.”
“It’s a stylish spot to congregate after work, a meeting place for run clubs, and a starting point for budding creatives. The Hoxton often showcases local art and features installations by Brooklyn-based artists, which ties into Williamsburg’s strong art scene. Guests have the chance to experience the creative pulse of the neighborhood right from within the hotel.”
Beyond the rooms, The Hoxton might be best known for its food and drink offerings—particularly Laser Wolf, an Israeli rooftop restaurant that’s become a must-visit among New York City’s foodies. The space, known for its skewers grilled over live coals and sweeping views of Brooklyn, regularly draws celebrity diners.
Also on-site is K’Far, a casual Israeli bakery and café offering quick bites, and Jaffa, a sit-down spot named after the coastal city in Israel that offers a high-end cocktail menu and a raw bar.
Roomy Guest Room
There are no suite options at The Hoxton, and while the standard rooms are “cozy,” according to Condé Nast, there is a roomier option called the Roomy guest room that gets guests to 240 sq. ft. from the 170 sq. ft. of the standard guest rooms.
Still, even the standard guest room is bigger than the typical Hoxton size elsewhere, including in that Shoreditch location.
“Here, with plenty of space to work with thanks to the blank slate of a new building, the rooms are a touch larger than those in other Hoxtons — and thanks to the building’s low-lying surroundings, it offers far-ranging views over North Brooklyn and the Manhattan skyline. Floor-to-ceiling windows and king beds bring a touch of luxury, and each room has a selection of books chosen by a different local artist or creative,” Michelin writes.
For more, head to The Hoxton, Williamsburg.
Arlo, Williamsburg
Another North Brooklyn boutique hotel, Arlo Williamsburg has quickly made a name for itself, earning recognition as one of the best hotels in New York by The Telegraph and Condé Nast Traveler. Just two years old, the property emerged from its previous life as The Williamsburg Hotel and has already been named the Best Hotel Rooftop in Williamsburg by Forbes.
The hotel is easily recognizable from street level thanks to its iconic stained-glass Water Tower, which sits atop the building and overlooks both the neighborhood and the hotel’s 40-foot heated rooftop pool.
Of the hotel, The Telegraph writes “this Arlo outpost in the heart of Williamsburg, one of New York’s most creative neighborhoods, is an excellent base for exploring Brooklyn and downtown Manhattan. Top-notch service, a fun water tower-turned-bar and a destination restaurant are among the other reasons to stay on this side of the East River.”
There are three restaurants and bars on-site. First, there’s Sungold, marketed as a “neighborhood restaurant,” with a menu curated by Chef Michael King. The offerings include wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and a mix of small and large plates designed for sharing.
Next is The Water Tower, the rooftop bar housed in the hotel’s iconic stained-glass structure. Open daily from 6 p.m., it features a rotating menu of seasonal cocktails and hosts regular events like vinyl nights and DJ sets.
Finally, there’s The Lobby Bar, a relaxed local hangout that serves wine, beer, and cocktails each evening, along with coffee and light fare throughout the day.
City View Studio Suite
If you’ve ever wanted the feel of a classic New York City railroad apartment, the Arlo’s City View Studio Suite is for you. The 600-square-foot space is laid out in true railroad style: the living room flows into the dining area, which leads to the bedroom, and finally connects to an L-shaped bathroom.
The highlight of the suite is the bathroom, which features a giant soaking tub and the best view of the Manhattan skyline. The rest of the suite, outfitted with floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooks Brooklyn—including from a private 50-square-foot balcony.
For more, head to The Arlo, Williamsburg.
