Brooklyn isn't what it used to be. Ten years ago, Williamsburg was still shaking off its industrial dust, and the idea of a luxury high-rise hotel on Wythe Avenue felt like a fever dream. Then came The William Vale. It didn’t just open; it erupted into the skyline with that futuristic, toothy architecture that you can basically see from every rooftop in Manhattan.
Honestly, it changed the game.
But things are different now. The neighborhood is crowded with competitors like the Wythe and the Hoxton. You’ve got travelers wondering if the "Vale" is still worth the steep price tag or if it’s just a glorified photo op for influencers. If you’re looking for a sanitized, corporate stay, this isn't it. But if you want a balcony—a real one—with a view that makes you feel like you’re hovering over the East River, well, that’s where things get interesting.
The Architecture That Broke the Neighborhood
Most New York hotels are cramped. They’re built into old skeletons or squeezed into narrow lots. The William Vale took the opposite approach. Designed by Albo Liberis, the building sits on these massive stilts, hovering above a public park called Vale Park. It looks like something out of a sci-fi flick.
The structure is intentionally provocative. By lifting the hotel off the ground, the developers created a 15,000-square-foot elevated green space that actually stays open to the public. It’s a weirdly generous move for a private developer. You’ll see locals walking dogs or just sitting on the grass, which keeps the vibe from feeling too much like an exclusive fortress.
Inside, the lobby is sort of a minimalist's playground. You’ve got that massive Marela Zacarías sculpture hanging behind the desk, which is all swirling colors and textures. It sets the tone immediately: this place is about art, scale, and showing off.
Those All-Important Balconies
Let’s talk about the rooms because that’s the real reason people book here. Every single room at The William Vale has a balcony. That is unheard of in New York City.
👉 See also: 3000 Yen to USD: What Your Money Actually Buys in Japan Today
Usually, "outdoor space" in a NYC hotel room means a tiny Juliet balcony where you can barely fit a foot, or a shared terrace that you have to pay $500 extra for. Here, you step out of your floor-to-ceiling glass doors and you’re looking at the Empire State Building or the sprawling concrete poetry of Brooklyn. The rooms themselves are bright—lots of white, lots of light wood—and they feel airy. They aren't huge, mind you. You’re still in New York. But the balcony makes the 300 or so square feet feel like an estate.
The Pool Situation (And Why It Matters)
If you’ve ever tried to find a pool in Brooklyn during July, you know it’s a bloodsport. The Vale Pool is 60 feet long, making it the longest outdoor hotel pool in the city.
It’s the center of the universe during the summer.
On a Saturday in August, the energy is... a lot. It’s loud. There’s rosé. There are people who clearly spent three hours getting ready to go for a swim. If you’re looking for a quiet, meditative lap swim, you should probably stay somewhere else. But for the "see and be seen" crowd, this is the apex of Brooklyn social life.
One thing people often miss: you don’t actually have to stay at the hotel to use it. They sell day passes through platforms like ResortPass, though they aren’t cheap. If you’re a guest, you get priority, but you still have to snag a lounge chair early. It’s a competitive sport.
Westlight: The View Everyone Wants
You can’t talk about this hotel without mentioning Westlight. It’s the rooftop bar on the 22nd floor. It offers a 360-degree view of New York, and frankly, it’s one of the best in the city.
✨ Don't miss: The Eloise Room at The Plaza: What Most People Get Wrong
Most rooftop bars have one good side. Westlight has every side. You see the bridges. You see the Freedom Tower. You see the sunset over New Jersey. Because of this, the line for the elevator can get stupidly long. If you're staying at the hotel, you get a bit of a leg up, but don't expect to just wander in at 8:00 PM on a Friday without a plan.
The cocktails are solid—Andrew Carmellini’s NoHo Hospitality Group runs the food and drink here—but you’re paying for the zip code and the elevation. Pro tip: go for a mid-afternoon drink on a Tuesday. It’s the only time you can actually hear yourself think and really soak in the skyline.
The Local Conflict and Changing Vibe
There is a tension here that’s worth acknowledging. When The William Vale went up, it was a symbol of the "new" Williamsburg. It signaled the end of the gritty, artist-enclave era and the beginning of the luxury era. Some locals still hate it for that.
But the hotel tries to bridge that gap.
They host local art shows. They have a winter "Vale Rink" which is a synthetic ice skating rink on the roof. They have Mister Dips—a 1974 Airstream trailer parked on the elevated park level that serves burgers and dairy dip. It feels accessible, even if the room rates say otherwise.
The staff usually reflects this too. It’s a mix of professional hospitality and Brooklyn edge. You might get a front desk person with a full sleeve of tattoos who knows the best underground record shop in Greenpoint, but they’ll still get your bags to your room on time.
🔗 Read more: TSA PreCheck Look Up Number: What Most People Get Wrong
Is It Worth the Price?
Look, staying here is a splurge. You’re looking at anywhere from $400 to well over $1,000 a night depending on the season and the suite.
If you just need a place to sleep, go to a Marriott in Long Island City.
But if you want the specific experience of waking up, making a Nespresso, and standing on a balcony while the sun hits the Manhattan skyline, there is nowhere else that does it quite like this. It’s a lifestyle hotel. It’s about the fact that you can roll out of bed, hit a high-end gym, grab a burger from a vintage trailer, and then end your night at one of the city's premier rooftop bars without ever leaving the property.
Logistics You Actually Need
Parking is a nightmare in Williamsburg. The hotel has an onsite garage, but it’ll cost you.
The L train is just a few blocks away at Bedford Avenue. From there, you’re one stop from Manhattan. It’s convenient, but honestly, once you’re in this part of Brooklyn, you might not even want to leave. You’ve got Peter Luger Steakhouse a short Uber away, Lilia for some of the best pasta in the country, and more boutique shops than your credit card can handle.
If you’re traveling with a dog, they’re surprisingly cool about it. They have a "Pet Friendly" policy, though there are weight limits and fees involved. Vale Park is a godsend for pet owners because you don't have to hunt for a patch of grass at 6:00 AM.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
Don't just book and show up. To get the most out of The William Vale, you need a bit of a strategy.
- Request a High Floor: The views are good from the lower floors, but they are transcendent from floor 12 and up. Specifically, ask for a "King Salmon" view if you want to see the city skyline directly.
- Book Westlight Reservations Early: Even as a guest, the rooftop fills up. Set a reminder for when reservations open (usually two weeks out) if you want a prime sunset table.
- Leverage the Off-Season: January and February in Brooklyn are cold, but the hotel rates drop significantly. You can often snag a room for half the price of a June stay, and the views are just as sharp on a crisp, clear winter day.
- Explore the Park: Don’t just stay in your room. Spend time in Vale Park. It’s one of the most unique urban design elements in the city and a great place to people-watch without spending $20 on a cocktail.
- Check the Event Calendar: The hotel frequently hosts wellness events, yoga on the turf, and seasonal pop-ups. Check their website a week before you arrive so you don't miss out on a rooftop workout or a gallery opening.
The William Vale remains a polarizing landmark, but its impact on Brooklyn's hospitality scene is undeniable. It offers a version of New York that feels expansive, modern, and just a little bit flashy—exactly what most people are looking for when they cross the bridge.