Brooklyn’s buzzy waterfront: the setting for eager photographers, spritely joggers, veteran hot dog sellers and one surprisingly peaceful hidden retreat. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is an eco-centric hotel epitomising quiet luxury, with airy, light-filled architecture, a focus on sustainability and a keen-yet-unobtrusive service, not to mention sweeping views of the iconic bridge that lends the property its name.
The sister site to 1 Hotel Central Park in upscale Manhattan, this hotel occupies a more tranquil spot on the edge of Brooklyn Bridge Park, the neighbourhood’s verdant green lung. After a day spent navigating New York’s dense urban sprawl, returning here is a breath of fresh air.
Credit: Edmond Leong
What’s the deal?
You could almost imagine 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge as a living entity, thanks to its use of organic, sustainable materials and the towering green plant wall that dominates the lobby. Although it offers an escape from the city, the property remains grounded in local heritage, with end tables upcycled from construction pallets, staircases built from the very same granite used for the Brooklyn Bridge and maritime accents that nod to the shipyards that once ruled the area.
This is also a hotel primed to compete with the city’s wealth of top-tier properties. You’ll find in-the-know New Yorkers flocking to its stylish, understated rooftop bar Harriet’s for evening cocktails, or working from laptops with cappuccinos in hand. Sleek, moody guestrooms are equipped with special touches to elevate your stay, including a handy app that puts everything you need at your fingertips. Outside, an Audi Q8 e-tron car offers complimentary rides within a 5km radius.
Why stay?
If you’ve already conquered Manhattan, this sleek bolthole is the perfect jumping-off point for exploring Brooklyn. We stayed in a Bridge King room, and it’s hard to overstate the “wow” factor of its Brooklyn Bridge view. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the landmark beautifully, with a cosy chair perfectly positioned to watch the sun set over the bridge’s cables. Plush, eco-friendly Keetsa mattresses, topped with sustainably sourced bed linen, make sinking into slumber easy, especially after a soak under the rainfall shower, fully stocked with gorgeous-smelling Bamford amenities.
There’s no denying that a stellar location and views are central to 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge’s appeal. Sightseeing is a cinch, even from within the comfort of the hotel: in addition to Harriet’s, a rooftop pool and airy restaurant offer city panoramas. If you can bring yourself to leave, a hidden side exit brings you to a park path leading directly to the Brooklyn Bridge and Fulton Ferry Landing. The first-come, first-served car service also makes zipping to hidden gems around Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) effortless.
Cathay editors say…
“This is the kind of hotel that makes you believe you can be a trendier person, whether you’re stretching on a complimentary yoga mat as the skyline glows behind you or settling into a meal at Barbuto Brooklyn – an outpost of the beloved West Village hotspot of the same name, led by award-winning chef Jonathan Waxman.
At sundown, head upstairs to Harriet’s, where plush lounge chairs afford views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan icons like One World Trade Center. Entering is like arriving at the garden party of a well-to-do friend, with greenery woven through the space and DJs bringing the vibes. It’s hard to order just one drink from the bar’s sustainability-focused cocktail menu, which finds innovative ways to repurpose waste like coffee grounds and fruit peels – don’t miss the Tajín-rimmed mango margaritas.”