1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge: A chic urban retreat featuring a rooftop pool

When you envision New York City hotels, you might imagine cold, stark towers filled with strangers, emphasizing function over style—especially at the more affordable options. If that’s been your experience in the city, then you likely haven’t yet stayed at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge.

Nestled next to a green space in Brooklyn and the iconic bridge, this delightful hotel offers a charming pier for leisurely strolls, vibrant venues—from a lively rooftop to a lush lobby—and breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. This allure has turned the hotel into a popular spot for both tourists and locals.

Its minimalist yet inviting design pays homage to the area's industrial roots while embodying a contemporary warmth. I’ve visited several nice hotels in New York City, but none left me in awe from the moment we entered quite like this one. The stunning, plant-filled lobby was just the beginning of our experience.

Here’s what you can expect during your stay at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge.

What is 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge?

Opened in early 2017, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge marked the first ground-up construction for the upscale 1 Hotel brand, which had debuted just two years prior.

This 195-room hotel is conveniently situated near the waterfront and the expansive 85-acre Brooklyn Bridge Park, right in the trendy Dumbo neighborhood, which stands for 'Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.' Once known for its rough edges, this vibrant area is rapidly becoming one of the most desirable spots in the city. It's only a five-minute ferry ride to Manhattan or a quick subway trip via the 2 or 3 trains from Clark Street, the A or C trains from High Street, or the F train from York Street.

Alternatively, you could stroll across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, or perhaps enjoy a complimentary ride in the hotel’s eco-friendly electric Audi Q8 E-Tron, both of which align perfectly with the brand’s commitment to sustainable hospitality.

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, similar to 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay in Hawaii, offers a warm yet upscale atmosphere, featuring enviable design elements that might inspire your own home décor, alongside exceptional food and beverages. It showcases the brand's dedication to sustainability with local plant life and provides breathtaking views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan, and even the Statue of Liberty.

What I love about 1 Hotels is that their commitment to sustainability goes beyond mere words; it genuinely enriches your experience. For instance, each guest room features a water filtration faucet and drinking glasses made from repurposed wine bottles, along with hangers crafted from recycled paper.

More than half of the hotel’s structure was built using a combination of local and reclaimed materials, including original beams from the historic Domino Sugar Factory (now called The Refinery at Dumino), which can be seen in some of the hotel’s tables and benches.

Highlights of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

From the lobby to the rooftop, there’s so much to adore about 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge.

• The rooftop pool at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is stunning by itself, but it becomes truly remarkable when you turn to admire the views of Manhattan just across the river.
• Many of the rooms also offer incredible vistas of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.
• The design and decor of 1 Hotel are truly awe-inspiring. The blend of industrial elements, cozy natural fabrics, and greenery makes me wish I could redesign my home in a similar style.
• Finally, the dining options at 1 Hotel, particularly at The Osprey restaurant and Harriet's rooftop lounge and bar, are favorites among both tourists and locals alike.

Cons of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

• This hotel may not be the best choice if you want to be right in the middle of Manhattan or near the Broadway theaters.
• While my family enjoyed our stay, the atmosphere here leans more towards adults.
• Though not excessively expensive, staying here will still require a significant budget.

How to book 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

Hotels in New York City can be quite costly; I've seen some average Midtown options priced at $400-$600 per night. Considering this, I was pleasantly surprised to find that 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge offers rates starting around $400 per night. For New York, that’s a reasonable price, and I’d say it’s absolutely worth it, especially if you plan to enjoy the pool, amenities, and stunning views.

The hotel is part of the Mr & Mrs Smith collection, which means you might find some perks included in certain packages if you book through them (like ferry tickets to Manhattan). Some Mr & Mrs Smith hotels can be booked with World of Hyatt points, but unfortunately, this one isn’t eligible at the moment.

However, you might occasionally spot 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge in The Edit by Chase Travel. By using cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and United Club℠ Infinite Card, you can book these hotels with added benefits like daily breakfast for two and a $100 credit for on-property spending.

Rooms at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

The 195 rooms and suites at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge are reached by elevators that lead you through winding corridors adorned with contemporary, atmospheric lighting and a blend of industrial and natural elements.

Once you step into the room, the focus shifts to the abundance of natural light. In our experience, the impressive floor-to-ceiling windows showcased a breathtaking view of the Brooklyn Bridge.

This room, measuring 325 square feet, featured two double beds along with a couch and a small table, making it quite practical for my family.

While I thought the room was beautiful, if I had to find a fault, I’d mention that double beds can be challenging to share, especially if you’re accustomed to more space.

That said, double beds in standard rooms with two beds are quite common in cities like New York... and the advantages of staying here definitely made up for the cozier sleeping arrangements for a few nights.

The room utilized its space efficiently, and the small table positioned between the bed and the couch proved to be quite useful for keeping things organized and for meals.

On the topic of dining, 1 Hotels are celebrated for offering a variety of fun, high-quality, and locally sourced snacks in the minibar, and this location was no different. Although we didn’t partake, it was exciting to spot items like beer from Brooklyn Brewery and chips from Long Island’s North Fork. Additionally, there was a Nespresso coffee machine, and we discovered a yoga mat and cozy cotton robes in the closet area.

The bathroom setup was quite intriguing for our family trip. The half-wall dividing it from the sleeping area posed a bit of a challenge for our teenager, who needed some reassurance that the wall was sufficient for privacy despite not reaching the ceiling. However, aside from that detail, the bathroom functioned well, and the luxurious Bamford products were a delightful addition.

Included activities and amenities

At 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, there’s a $45 nightly amenity fee, which includes some enjoyable perks, such as fresh, locally sourced fruit available at the lobby's Farm Stand.

Depending on the day of the week, you can also take part in various included activities, like sunrise yoga or yoga flow classes, among others. Additionally, the hotel offers access to an Audi Q8 E‑Tron house car upon request (subject to availability).

Although it never aligned with our schedule, there’s a complimentary wine hour every day from 4 to 5 p.m.

The Field House gym is available around the clock and features top-quality machines and weights, along with plenty of natural light.

Bamford Wellness Spa at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

1 Hotels are renowned for their spas, and the Bamford Wellness Spa at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge certainly lived up to the reputation.

I experienced the Hammam Recovery Massage with zero-gravity flotation. After confirming that this flotation was different from the zero-gravity tank I had timidly exited after just four minutes at the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay's spa due to my claustrophobia, I eagerly counted down the days until my appointment. Fortunately, I was informed that this was a 50-minute massage combined with a flotation experience that kept me completely dry.

This package featured a 50-minute aroma-customized massage followed by 25 minutes of flotation therapy in a warm, cozy, relaxing, waterbed-like device that kept me entirely dry. It truly brought a huge smile to my face, given how unique and soothing the experience was.

The massage itself was exceptional. This specific package is priced at $320, but if you book a 50- or 80-minute service Monday through Thursday and mention "midday," you can enjoy a $25 discount.

Dining options at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge offers a range of must-try food and drink selections, particularly in its lounge and restaurant.

The Osprey

The Osprey is a full-service restaurant at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. From Monday to Friday, you can enjoy $2 sustainably sourced oysters and $10 glasses of organic wine from 5 to 7 p.m.

Here, you can look forward to fresh, plant-based, and locally inspired dishes, often featuring an Australian influence.

We sampled the East Coast oysters ($24 for half a dozen), the beets and baba dish ($16) served with delightful local pita from Angel's Bakery, and Nunna's gnocchi with pesto and toasted pine nuts ($24). Everything was so good that we left the plates spotless. It's wise to make reservations for dinner, as the restaurant was bustling on the Friday evening we visited.

Harriet's Lounge and Harriet's Rooftop

Located on the 10th floor of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, you'll find both Harriet's Lounge and Harriet's Rooftop. While they are adjacent to each other, each offers a unique experience. Harriet's Rooftop has a more laid-back vibe, open from 11 a.m. to midnight, where you place your order at the bar and find your own seating.

Food service is available here until 7 p.m. on weekdays and extends to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Next is Harriet's Lounge, which operates from 3 p.m. to midnight from Monday to Thursday, and stays open until 2 a.m. on weekends. Here, food is served at your table by a server, available until 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

On a beautiful, warm evening, I gathered with friends here and thoroughly enjoyed the frozen watermelon margaritas ($30), two plates of crispy rice with spicy tuna ($27), chicken bao ($24), mushroom bao ($22), and a baby gem lettuce salad ($23).

Our group also savored the Goose in the River ($25) cocktail, crafted with Grey Goose, watermelon basil, Italicus, peach liqueur, prosecco, and agave lime, along with the Ryu-Jin ($25), made from sake, shochu, lemongrass, yuzu lemon, and dragon fruit cordial.

As you may have noticed, the cocktails here come with a higher price tag, but if you visit on a lovely evening, take your time sipping, and share a few appetizers for dinner, you're likely to find it well worth it in the end.

Neighbors

Open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Neighbors is perfect for a quick snack or a coffee. Its menu features a strong emphasis on local brands, including Bushwick Tea, Brooklyn Best Lemonade, Grady's Cold Brew, and Baked in Brooklyn, among others from the New York City area.

Having this option conveniently located off the lobby is great, but keep in mind that if you're looking for classic sodas like Coke or Mott's apple juice that kids often enjoy, you might not find those here. However, if you're after a delicious warm breakfast sandwich and a hot cup of coffee (which you can order online ahead of time or in-store), this is the spot for you.

Neighbors offers seating inside, but on a lovely day, you might prefer to head out back and savor your croissant on the charming patio.

Room service

Rounding out the dining options at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is their room service.

On our first evening, my kids were craving chicken fingers and fries in the room. While it wasn't my top pick for a night in New York City, the stunning view made up for it, and sometimes ensuring happy, full kids is the best meal you can have. The food arrived within 25 minutes of ordering online and was just what we needed at that moment.

Rooftop pool at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

The standout feature of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is its rooftop pool, which welcomes guests daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Each room comes with two chairs for a two-hour use per day. I suggest arriving early, as the pool tends to fill up quickly; on one occasion, it was already busy by 9 a.m. The next day, I arrived at 7:30 a.m., and the weather was sunny, warm, and ideal for a swim.

Children are welcome until 5 p.m., and you might notice a shift in atmosphere as the day transitions into the early evening, becoming more lively and social.

Things to do around 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

The Dumbo neighborhood, home to 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, is a vibrant, youthful area featuring parks, boutiques, and a hint of its industrial past. In the image below, you can see the hotel on the right, nestled among various other buildings and spaces.

Just a short walk from the 1 Hotel, you'll discover the Brooklyn Bridge, a ferry across the East River, and numerous exciting spots in Dumbo to check out.

I strongly suggest exploring the neighborhood during your stay. Be sure to stop by Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, which has been serving delicious handcrafted ice cream since 2001. It's conveniently located across from the hotel and features a rotating selection made from all-natural ingredients.

While you're in the area, grab a lobster roll from Luke's for lunch. If you have a diverse group to satisfy, the Time Out Market, just a block or two away, is perfect. It boasts 24,000 square feet of dining options, from pasta to sushi and everything in between.

If you're visiting the area with children like I did, a trip to Jane's Carousel is a must. This historic carousel, over a century old, features 48 intricately carved horses and costs just $3 for each ride.

Accessibility

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge features multiple interior levels, all accessible via elevators. The hotel provides an entire page of detailed accessibility information, confirming that public areas, including elevators, are wheelchair accessible and equipped with Braille signage. Various accessible room options are offered, including standard rooms with one or two beds and suites that come with features such as bathtubs equipped with grab bars and seats, toilets with grab bars, low-level hooks and racks, hearing-impaired light alerts, and visual sensors available upon request.

It’s important to note that the rooftop pool lacks a wheelchair lift, meaning access requires navigating a flight of six stairs.

If you have specific accommodation or accessibility needs, it's advisable to reach out to the hotel directly to confirm that their facilities will suit your requirements and to book a particular room.

Checking out

During our three-night visit, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge consistently amazed us.

The inviting atmosphere as you enter the lobby, the stunning views from our room, the exceptional food and drinks, the lively rooftop, the pool, and the mesmerizing Manhattan skyline transitioning from day to night all contributed to an experience that felt refreshingly new.

1 Hotels has impressed my family twice now, first in Hawaii and then in Brooklyn. The brand has mastered the art of combining contemporary design, local experiences, sustainability, and enticing amenities, making it hard for me to choose which of their locations to explore next.