You’ve seen the photos. The floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Manhattan skyline, the moss-covered walls in the lobby, and that rooftop pool that seems to launch itself right into the East River. It’s easy to look at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn NY and assume it’s just another "Instagram hotel" designed for influencers to take photos of avocado toast.
Honestly? It kind of is. But it’s also a lot more than that.
Located at 60 Furman Street, right on the edge of Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, this flagship property from Barry Sternlicht’s 1 Hotels brand has become a bit of a lightning rod for debate since it opened in 2017. Some people swear it’s the only place to stay in New York if you care about the planet (and high-thread-count sheets). Others think it’s a glorified, overpriced treehouse.
The Reality of Staying at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn NY
The first thing you notice when you walk in isn’t the luxury. It’s the smell. It’s this custom "Cedar" scent that makes you feel like you’ve been transported from the humid, trash-scented streets of New York to a very expensive forest in the Pacific Northwest.
The design is heavy on reclaimed materials. We’re talking shipping crates, heart pine beams from old factories, and actual stone from the local area. It sounds like it could be a bit much, but it works. It feels grounded.
Room Mechanics and The "Nature" Vibe
The rooms are where things get interesting. You won’t find plastic water bottles here. Instead, there’s a filtered water tap in every room and "glasses" made from recycled wine bottles. They even have little 5-minute sand timers in the showers to remind you not to waste water.
Does anyone actually stop showering when the sand runs out? Probably not. But the intent is there.
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The beds are organic cotton. The robes are incredibly soft. But the real star is the view. If you book a "Bridgeview" room, you are literally staring at the suspension cables of the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s so close you feel like you could reach out and touch the granite towers. At night, when the bridge lights up and the Manhattan skyscrapers start to glow, it’s arguably the best view in the entire city. Better than the Empire State Building. Better than the Top of the Rock. Because here, you're looking at the skyline, not standing on top of it.
The Rooftop Situation: Harriet’s Rooftop & Lounge
If you are visiting 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn NY, you are eventually going to end up at Harriet’s. It’s the rooftop bar.
Here is the deal: it gets crowded. Very crowded. On a Saturday night in June, you’re going to be fighting for space with people who aren’t even staying at the hotel. It’s a scene. If you hate crowds and loud music, go during the day on a Tuesday. The vibe is totally different—quiet, breezy, and actually relaxing.
The pool is small. Let’s be real about that. It looks massive in wide-angle photos, but it’s actually a "plunge pool." You aren't doing laps here. You are standing in waist-deep water with a $24 cocktail in your hand, looking at the Financial District.
Dining: The Osprey and Neighbors
The main restaurant, The Osprey, does "market-driven" American food. It’s good. Is it the best meal you’ll have in Brooklyn? No. You’re in DUMBO; you could walk five minutes and get a legendary pizza at Grimaldi’s or Juliana’s. But for a convenient breakfast or a solid roast chicken, it does the job.
Neighbors is their grab-and-go cafe. It’s expensive for what it is—basically a high-end deli—but their coffee is legit.
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Sustainability: Greenwashing or the Real Deal?
This is where people get skeptical. Can a luxury hotel that uses massive amounts of electricity and air conditioning really be "sustainable"?
The hotel uses 100% wind power. They have a rainwater reclamation system that waters the park outside. They use low-energy LED bulbs everywhere. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, the property is LEED Gold certified.
It’s not perfect. No hotel is. But compared to the old-school midtown hotels with their tiny plastic shampoo bottles and heavy laundry cycles, 1 Hotel is miles ahead. They even use a "digital newspaper" system to save paper.
The DUMBO Neighborhood Factor
Staying at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn NY means you are in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass).
Twenty years ago, this was a ghost town of warehouses. Now, it’s one of the most expensive zip codes in the city. You have the Empire Stores shopping complex right next door, which houses a Time Out Market. You have Jane’s Carousel for the kids (or for the aesthetic).
The downside? The noise.
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You are right next to the Brooklyn Bridge. You are also near the Manhattan Bridge. If you are a light sleeper, the subway trains rattling over the Manhattan Bridge can be a bit of a shock. The hotel has triple-paned glass, which helps significantly, but you’re still in the heart of a living city. It's never going to be silent.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Pricing
Yes, it’s expensive. Sometimes $600 a night, sometimes $1,200 depending on the season and the view.
People often complain that they "paid for a view and didn't get one."
Pro tip: Not every room at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn NY faces the bridge. Some face the street. Some face the interior. If you don’t book a "Skyline" or "Bridgeview" category specifically, do not expect to see the Manhattan skyline from your pillow. Check the floor plan during booking. It sounds simple, but it’s the number one cause of bad reviews.
Who is this hotel actually for?
- The Romantic: If you’re proposing or on a honeymoon, it’s hard to beat.
- The Eco-Conscious Traveler: If you feel guilty about the carbon footprint of travel, this helps alleviate some of that.
- The Business Traveler who hates Midtown: If your meetings are in Tech Triangle (DUMBO/Downtown Brooklyn), this is your home base.
Who should skip it?
- The Budget Traveler: Obviously.
- The Peace-and-Quiet Seeker: Between the rooftop parties and the bridge noise, it’s energetic.
- The "Classic Luxury" Fan: If you want white gloves, marble lobbies, and gilded elevators, go to the St. Regis or the Carlyle. This is "rustic luxury." It's different.
Practical Insights for Your Stay
If you decide to pull the trigger and book a stay, here is how to actually do it right:
- Skip the Hotel Car: They have a complimentary electric Audi house car that can drop you off within a certain radius. It’s a cool perk, but it’s often "first come, first served" and usually busy. Don't rely on it for a timed appointment. Just use the subway; the High Street (A/C) and York Street (F) stations are a short walk away.
- Hit the Park Early: Brooklyn Bridge Park is right outside. At 7:00 AM, it’s empty. It’s one of the most beautiful places to run or walk in the world. By 10:00 AM, it’s swarmed with tourists.
- The Lobby Bar is a Secret Weapon: Everyone goes to the roof. The lobby bar is actually quite cozy, has the same great scent, and the drinks are just as good without the 30-minute wait.
- Check the Event Calendar: They often have "Full Moon" parties or wellness events. If you're staying there, you usually get priority access, but check ahead so you aren't surprised by a DJ playing until 2:00 AM when you're trying to sleep.
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn NY isn't just a place to sleep. It’s an experience that tells a story about what modern New York wants to be: sustainable, aesthetic, and undeniably expensive. It’s a massive departure from the stuffy hotels of the past. Even if you don't stay there, it's worth walking through the lobby or grabbing a drink just to see how they've integrated nature into a concrete jungle.
If you are looking for a cheaper alternative that still has a "cool" Brooklyn vibe, look at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg or The Hoxton. They won't have the bridge view, but they'll save you a few hundred bucks. But if you want that specific view—the one that makes you feel like the king or queen of New York—this is the only place to get it.
Actionable Next Steps
- Compare Rates Across Platforms: Use the official hotel website first; they often have "Member Rates" that beat Expedia or Booking.com if you sign up for their free loyalty program.
- Request a High Floor: If you booked a view room, request the highest floor possible. The lower floors can sometimes have views partially obstructed by the trees in the park (though some people actually like the greenery).
- Pack for the Vibe: The dress code is "elevated casual." Think linen, high-end sneakers, and neutral colors. You’ll feel out of place in a tuxedo, and you’ll feel underdressed in a college hoodie.
- Book Harriet’s in Advance: Even if you are a hotel guest, getting a table on the rooftop isn't guaranteed. Make a reservation the moment you book your room.