The Brooklyn Hotel Where Locals Go to Hang Out Every Summer

Stay Here For

A weekend pretending you’re the kind of person who lives in a luxury building with a pool and skyline views.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve lived in New York City for years or you’re visiting for the first time—when you’re looking for a place to stay, it’s hard to put a price on a great view and outdoor space.

You can, of course, pay up for both—something many people are willing to do, particularly when the summer humidity settles over the city. That’s one reason why 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is as popular with visitors as it is with locals who want to spend a few blissful days pretending they live in a different tax bracket.

From its position along the East River, this chic hotel offers unbeatable Manhattan skyline views and an almost resort-like experience despite its location in bustling Brooklyn Heights. Here, you can spend a very long New York minute lounging by the popular (albeit petite) pool, or sipping cocktails over light bites. But the hotel never loses its sense of place.

Fans of the 1 Hotel brand and its eco-conscious, wellness-warrior ethos will find familiar trademarks around the property, including a lineup of “happenings” for guests that might include an early-morning run club or a matcha tasting, and upward of 7,000 live plants tended to by a veritable fleet of gardeners.

But it’s also the first 1 Hotel that was built from the ground up, meaning the entire building feels as if it’s been birthed by New York: wood in the lobby was reclaimed from a barn upstate, while the beams were upcycled from the nearby Domino Sugar Refinery. At the upstairs bar Harriet’s Rooftop & Lounge, the drinks menu highlights suppliers from within a 100-mile radius.

If you’re already part of the community, you’ll feel right at home. And if you’re only visiting, a stay here is sure to help you connect with one of the most energetic neighborhoods in New York City.

The Essentials

The Room

Upcycled industrial materials (blackened steel, barn wood) star in all the hotel’s guest rooms and suites, and minimal artwork allows the city views to really steal the show through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Even the entry-level rooms have sitting areas and open, marble and mahogany bathrooms with rainfall showers. Upgrade to a higher room category for views of the Manhattan skyline or the Brooklyn Bridge, or move up to a suite for additional space with a pullout sofa and an oversize bathroom that might include a soaking tub. Fans of the 1 Hotel brand will find familiar amenities throughout, including filtered water taps for filling up your reusable water bottle and a yoga mat for impromptu sun salutations.

The Bars and Restaurants

The hotel’s rooftop remains a top table for visitors and New Yorkers, thanks in large part to the stunning views of the Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan.

You don’t have to be a guest at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge to vie for a coveted table at the rooftop bar, though room-key carriers are prioritized on busy summer weekends. Highlights from the menu include frozen watermelon margaritas and Japanese-inspired light bites like crispy rice with spicy tuna or maki with snow crab, king salmon and shrimp tempura. Start your day at the hotel’s casual café, Neighbors, with takeaway items like smoothies, açai bowls, overnight oats and seasonal tartlets. There’s also a signature restaurant: In the space formerly home to The Osprey, the hotel has just opened Barbuto, an extension of chef Jonathan Waxman’s California-meets-Italy spot in the West Village.

The Standout Feature

The scene-iest spot of them all? The hotel’s rooftop plunge pool.

The 1 Hotel in Brooklyn is probably best known for its rooftop plunge pool—though small, it takes center stage here. Hotel guests get exclusive access to the lounge chairs, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Location

Set on a prime wedge of real estate in Brooklyn Bridge Park along the East River, the hotel is easily reached by public transportation. It’s close to the F train at York Street, or the A and C at High Street, and guests can even get here via the South Brooklyn route of the NYC Ferry. Manhattan is right across the Brooklyn Bridge, but guests staying here might not want to leave Brooklyn Heights, or the nearby Dumbo and Downtown Brooklyn neighborhoods.

The Time to Go

There’s never a bad time to visit New York, but 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge shines during the summer, when its rooftop bar and pool are a nexus of energy.

The Vibe

The Japanese-leaning menu at Harriet’s includes knockout french fries with the flavors of okonomiyaki: bonito, green onion, nori, pickled ginger and Kewpie mayo.

Essential poolside order: Harriet’s namesake margarita with shishito pepper–infused tequila and celery salt.

Who’s hanging around: Everyone—and their kids. The 1 Hotel might not feel particularly family-friendly, but on a hot summer day it’s not uncommon to find the rooftop crowded with locals who have decamped here with their kids to cool off poolside.

What’s happening at sunset: Local DJs turn up on Friday and Saturday nights to get the party started at Harriet’s Lounge. During the summer, there’s also Sol, an all-day party every Sunday that goes well past sundown.

What the locals have to say: Don’t even think about checking out before ordering the okonomiyaki fries at Harriet’s. Topped with Kewpie mayo, nori, pickled ginger, bonito and green onions, this dish is meant to be shared, so invite a friend or two to partake.

Wake up early to: A complimentary yoga class or the run club, or just to hit the gym. The hotel’s founder famously hates a basement gym, so the fitness center here is filled with light and loaded with top-of-the-line equipment.

The only thing better than a Manhattan view from the pool deck? The view at sunset, after the crowds have thinned.

Everything Else