Travel Advisor Review
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Looking for a green oasis just minutes from Downtown Manhattan with some Insta-worthy views? 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge offers it all, and more, with a value that can't be beat. Designed by local artists using native greenery and reclaimed materials, this sustainable nature-inspired hotel has breathtaking waterfront views of the New York City skyline, a wide array of amenities, and is located a few blocks from the iconic Brooklyn bridge.
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1) Location
Steps away from one of the world’s most iconic bridges with an 85-acre waterfront park as its backyard, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge boasts one of the most unique settings and some of the best views of any property in New York City. Its location in Dumbo, one of the city’s most enviable neighborhoods, places guests just minutes away from Downtown Manhattan while allowing them to enjoy a more relaxed and isolated atmosphere. The hotel is located within walking distance of a number of trendy bars and restaurants, art attractions, and one-of-a-kind boutiques.
2) Check-in
The check-in process at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge was smooth and seamless. Several thoughtful measures were taken to ensure we felt safe, comfortable, and familiar with the property during our stay.
We drove to the property and as soon as we pulled up a member of their team greeted us and assisted us with unloading our vehicle. Then, the hotel took a temperature check before entering the building, which is a process that was repeated every time we re-entered the hotel. The check-in desk, which was behind plexiglass, was easy to find and staff immediately found our reservation. They thoroughly explained the safety protocols in place at the hotel and everything they’re doing to keep guests and their team safe. In addition, they shared information on hotel amenities with tips on how to make the most of our visit, including a suggestion to speak with their concierge regarding our dining plans due to the restrictions in place throughout the city. From there, we were guided to our room by a friendly member of their team.
3) Rooms
We enjoyed a stay in one of the hotel’s Liberty Studio Suites, which was incredibly spacious, especially by New York City standards, and offered an awe-inspiring view of the Statue of Liberty and the Lower Manhattan skyline. You could tell that a lot of thought went into the layout of the open concept suite, with the living room area facing out towards a large sliding window that offered unobstructed views that brings the essence of the outdoors into the room. If you’re fortunate enough to stay in one of these suites, we suggest enjoying at least one golden hour in the comfort of your living room with a glass of wine and some bites. Looking to splurge? Check out the Skyline One-Bedroom Suite, which faces the Brooklyn Bridge. It features a separate rain shower and tub, as well as a hammock to enjoy the outdoor scenery.
Of course, it’s not just about the views. As a sustainable luxury hotel brand that’s inspired by nature, every detail in the guest room tied back to this mindset. With in-room water filters that provide unlimited drinking water to guests and minimize plastic waste, reclaimed wood and steel accents, natural textiles, and a timer in the shower aimed at reducing water consumption, these thoughtful elements helped enhance our stay. Best of all, the hotel’s custom organic cotton mattress by Keetsa ensured a comfortable night’s rest after a busy day exploring the neighborhood.
4) Food and Beverage
Due to the pandemic and the suspension of indoor dining in New York City, most of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge’s dining establishments were temporarily closed during our stay. However, we were able to enjoy a few grab and go breakfasts from Neighbors, the hotel’s café. It offers seasonal, fresh items from local Brooklyn purveyors. Neighbors is a popular stop for local residents, who enjoy its wide selection of salads, sandwiches, smoothies, protein shakes, pressed juices, teas, and coffees. From our previous experience, we highly recommend that guests enjoy at least one meal from The Osprey, which offers farm-to-table cuisine inspired by New York’s diverse neighborhoods.
If you book a stay at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge during the spring and summer months, we recommend a visit to Harriet’s Rooftop, which is a “must-visit” on our NYC bucket list. You’ll enjoy some of the best views in the city and great artisan drinks for a perfect date, friendly catchup, or business meeting.
5) Amenities
Amenities: Gym, spa, rooftop pool, house car (within a 3-mile radius), business center.
Wi-Fi: Complimentary
Parking: Valet Parking
Pets: Yes
6) Lifestyle Experiences
If you’re looking to stay at a place where you can rub elbows with local New Yorkers, this place is it. Under normal circumstances, in-the-know residents flock to 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge to admire the views of their city and enjoy quality food and drinks from the hotel’s rooftop, restaurants, bars, and lounges, cementing its status as a local hotspot.
The hotel’s Insta-famous “L” shaped rooftop pool, which is open during the warmer months, offers incredible views of Lower Manhattan and the East River, and is reserved exclusively for use by hotel guests.
7) Vibe
With its unique location in the middle of a park, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge offers guests a sustainable sanctuary in a bustling city. Every aspect of the hotel focuses on connecting wellness and nature.
The outside trickles into the indoor living areas and public spaces with environmental design elements, earthy features, and greenery prominently featured throughout the U.S. Green Building Council Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified building. In-room water filtration systems encourage guests to drink up, rooms are stocked with cups and carafes made from recycled wine bottles, food and drink outlets feature locally sourced ingredients, furniture is made from reclaimed materials, and complimentary use of electric vehicles means that travelers can enjoy their stay while minimizing their environmental footprint.
8) Parking and Transportation
We drove to the property, which offers valet service to hotel guests in a nearby garage. However, since we were familiar with the area, we felt comfortable with self-parking. The hotel team was extremely helpful, allowing us to keep our car parked in front of the property for a half-hour while we checked in and got settled. They also offered tips on where to go to find street parking, but for people who don’t feel as comfortable driving in urban settings or are unfamiliar with local parking rules, we definitely suggest utilizing the hotel’s valet service for a stress-free experience.
As far as getting around the city, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge's convenient location also provides guests with a number of transportation options with several subway lines within a 10-minute walk and easy rideshare pickups/drop-offs, but our favorite feature is the ferry services located right at the hotel’s backyard that will get you to Manhattan via the East River within 5-minutes. The hotel is located within a few steps of a Citi Bike station, which offers short-term rentals and a fun, affordable way to get around.
9) Service
Throughout our stay, the team at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge was very helpful, attentive, and efficient whenever we needed their assistance. They were able to come to our aid quickly when we needed something, such as replacing our lost keycard or bringing a pair of hotel slippers to our room.
What we really appreciated was their intuitive approach to service. Their team excelled at making us feel looked after and taken care of, while also ensuring that we didn’t feel smothered, so they found the right balance that allowed us to really enjoy our time at the property.
10) Cleanliness
From arrival to departure, maintaining strict cleanliness protocols was a top priority for the team at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. When we got to our room, we presented with a sanitized and sealed suite, which was cleaned using both hospital grade and activated oxygen sanitizing agents.
During our stay, the hotel also made some adjustments to normal housekeeping procedures for the safety of travelers and their staff. They temporarily suspended daily cleaning services and room service to avoid people going in and out of our space. Of course, if we needed something cleaned, their team was just a phone call away. In addition, their staff paid special attention to ensuring that all public areas, such as the lobby area and elevators, were meticulously cleaned several times a day, which provided us with more peace of mind.
11) Pricing
With a starting rate of about $300 per night based on season, room type, and availability, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge provides excellent value to travelers. The hotel provides a 5-star experience at a very approachable price point that is hard to come by in New York City, especially when you consider its amenities, level of service, comfort, and location.
12) Why we chose it
One of the main reasons we selected 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge as one of our top picks for New York City properties is the brand’s commitment to sustainability and how it connects wellness with nature. 1 Hotels have really led the way when it comes to empowering travelers to be more mindful about the choices they make when it comes to minimizing their footprint on the environment and embracing their surroundings. Since 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bride is the brand’s first property that they have built from the ground up, guests can see the thoughtfulness that went into developing the property and designing it as a true urban oasis, through its location, architecture, and amenities.
Another factor that contributed to our selection was the hotel’s prime location in now of the city’s enviable neighborhoods. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge lies within walking distance to several top New York City cultural, gastronomic, and outdoor attractions. With the Brooklyn Bridge Park as its backyard, the hotel offers guests convenient access to top restaurants, such as Cecconi's Dumbo and The River Café, as well as the Time Out Market, with Manhattan just minutes away. Of course, the views are the cherry on top and provide the perfect way to top off a busy day in the Big Apple.
Disclaimer: As an independent travel company dedicated to handpicking the most stylish and quality hotels for every budget, our review is based on first-hand experience. While we were invited by 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge as guests, we were not compensated for this post and all opinions are our own.