Red Lion Inn and Suites Brooklyn

When you turn down Butler street, you may be surprised to find a hotel tucked among all the commercial loading bays and over-sized steel garage doors. While the surroundings may seem a bit sketchy, the area is safe -- and the hotel's side street location helps take care of some of NYC's notorious street noise (but not all of it).

A brief walk through two sets of sliding front doors, and guests are greeted by a clean and contemporary lobby with polished floors and a large reception desk. In the corner, a small desk with PC computer and printer are dubbed as the hotel's business center. Sharing the corner space are two contemporary cushioned chairs (the only lobby seating) and a small offering of newspapers. Although a typical size for this type of hotel, the lobby's awkward layout -- a large reception desk against one wall and the elevator, stairs, cushioned chairs, and business center across the other -- could cause congestion during mornings if numerous guests are simultaneously checking out. Most guests here are business travelers, but some are budget-minded tourists who prefer a Brooklyn location.

Located on an industrial side street on the borders of Brooklyn's Boreum Hill, Park Slope, and Gowanus neighborhoods, the hotel is within walking distance of an abundance of restaurants, bars, stores, markets, yoga studios, and -- even more importantly -- trains. While the somewhat rickety R train is only five blocks away, the mass transit hub of Atlantic Terminal-Barclays Center (home to nine subway lines and a Long Island Railroad (LIRR) station), the Manhattan/Brooklyn C train, and Brooklyn/Queens G train are all within a 15-minute walk. This is one of the most connected places in New York City.

Covering seven floors, the Red Lion Inn's 104 rooms are separated into four categories (including accessible options) with either king, queen, or double beds. Upgrading to a Standard King with Jacuzzi will get you a larger sized bathroom, a bathtub with Jacuzzi jets, and a small set of faux-marble stairs coming off the side of the bathroom into the main room. Stylish for a value hotel, room decor includes contemporary wooden furniture and desk lamps, comfy bedding with a variety of fluffy pillows, and standard hotel carpeting. Rooms come with microwaves, mini-fridges (if these are absent, guests may request them at no charge), basic coffeemakers, and individual air-conditioning units. Long-terms guests may want to pack light as clothing storage is limited to a foot or so of hanging wardrobe space and a few drawers. Inside the wardrobe there is an iron and ironing board. Bathrooms are small (but not cramped) with polished gray Formica countertops and matching floors. They come equipped with sinks, shower/tub combinations, and hair dryers.

The hotel's best feature is its free breakfast buffet, served each morning in the breakfast room. Starting at the entrance with a few coffee thermos dispensers, tea facilities, and two do-it-yourself waffle machines, the full assortment of hot and cold breakfast items can be found along the back wall. Guests can choose from items like omelettes, bacon, sausage, fruit, juices, and yogurt before taking a seat at one of the many tables and chairs. A large, wall-mounted flat-screen TV plays quietly (and is usually set on the morning news) and an ATM machine can dispense cash -- the preferred and often only accepted currency in Brooklyn. In addition to the breakfast room, there are also ice machines and soda vending machines located on alternating floors. Although some hotels in the same category may have a small fitness area, the Red Lion Inn does not. It does have free Wi-Fi and a small business center computer area in the lobby that can copy, fax, scan, and print (some services are provided through the front desk). On-site parking is available for a small fee.