NU Hotel

The hotel underwent a renovation that updated all of its rooms and the lobby, which hosts a lounge bar. Despite the location, the atmosphere inside is quiet and friendly, suitable for business travelers and couples alike. The small bar sits right next to the front desk, with a casual lounge area comprising a jumble of leather stools and upholstered booths in the middle of the room. Bench seating along one wall is punctuated by tiny round tables beneath bright, floral artwork, and there's a long communal table facing the street-side windows. The hotel occasionally invites a local artist to paint murals and create artwork for a select room, after which there's always an opening party. The NU is an excellent option for leisure travelers looking to save by staying outside of Manhattan, or who know New York well enough to appreciate the charms of nearby Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, and Fort Greene. 

Brooklyn NU Hotel is located on the corner of Smith Street and Atlantic Avenue, two streets that contain dozens of fun shops and eclectic restaurants, tucked into an otherwise unassuming streetscape. It's a safe area of Brooklyn, though the Brooklyn House of Detention across the street may not be the most appealing neighbor. Several subway lines are within a quick walk, all of which can make the trip into lower Manhattan in around 20 minutes; it takes about the same amount of time in a taxi. There are plenty of other attractions within a 15-minute walk of the hotel, including the Brooklyn Bridge, the New York Transit Museum, BAM, and the Barclays Center. The brownstones, cute shops, and restaurants of Fort Greene and Cobble Hill are also nearby, JFK airport takes around an hour to reach by car, while Laguardia and Newark Liberty airports will both take around 45 minutes to reach, depending on traffic.

The hotel's 93 rooms and suites have a modern decor in a mostly gray palette, warmed by handsome wood furnishings. The standard rooms are about the average size for a hotel in this price range in New York, and have either two twins, a queen, or a king-size bed. All have work desks with roller chairs and sitting areas with armchairs and small tables amid electric artwork and light fixtures. Chalkboard paint appears in every room, a space for guests to doodle or leave impermanent messages. Free Wi-Fi comes standard along with 42-inch flat-screen TVs, minibars, and Keurig coffeemakers. Friends & Family Suites add small dining tables and bunk beds, while Urban Suites have love seats and hammocks dramatically draped across the living area. There are also some unique Mural Rooms, designed and decorated by local artists. The bathroom layouts vary; some have rainfall showers, while others have shower/tub combos.

Free cookies and coffee are available in the lobby and there's a lounge bar (with limited hours) called Misdemeanor Bar and Lounge that opens a sidewalk patio in warmer months. A free continental breakfast is also served in the lounge. The 24-hour fitness center is equipped with treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bikes, and free weights. It also hosts weekly yoga classes. Free loaner bikes have a little cargo capacity, with wooden crates attached behind the seats.