Katie Orlinsky for The New York Times
The Wythe Hotel, which opened in Williamsburg in May.
ONE of two things usually happens when you put the words "Brooklyn" and "hotel" together: you either draw a total blank or conjure up images of bleak, two-star chains housed in blocks of concrete. Even for longtime residents, coming up with good recommendations for friends and family has been a problem.
But a crop of boutique hotels has popped up over the past year or so, capitalizing on the borough's growing reputation as the gritty and charming proving ground for all things hip, artisanal and laid-back. And the areas of the borough most responsible for this reputation (those in which it is possible to purchase a chocolate bar for $8 and a pound of coffee for $20) have become sought after by a growing number of travelers who not only want to eat at locally sourced restaurants and shop at weekend flea markets, but also want to stay the night. Hotel demand throughout the borough has increased more than 20 percent since last year, according to Smith Travel Research, and the number of rooms has increased 14 percent over the same period. With more places under construction, numbers are expected to keep rising.
I checked out six of the newest hotels and found that some fit into their neighborhoods quite well, while others hit a more generic mark and offered room rates not much cheaper than those in Manhattan.
ALOFT HOTEL
216 Duffield Street, (718) 256-3833
alofthotels.com/brooklyn
HOW BROOKLYN IS IT? Owned by Starwood, this is a chain's take on boutique aimed at the 20- and 30-somethings in Downtown Brooklyn. The only borough-centric items I saw were works by local artists in the lobby and Brooklyn Summer Ale on tap at the bar. But there's enough outside the hotel for guests to get their fix. It's within a mile of the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Barclays Center, home to the Brooklyn Nets basketball team and, in 2015, the Islanders.
WHAT'S INSIDE The king suite the general manager showed me had a 1970s motif with a plush blue carpet, a khaki green headboard and colorful striped throw pillows. One wall was outfitted with a panoramic photo of the Brooklyn Bridge, another with a 42-inch LCD TV; a simple, wood desk faced a window. The hotel has a low-key rooftop lounge with dancing.
THE TAKEAWAY The Aloft tries a little too hard to project a cool atmosphere — and yes, that includes the blue lights in the elevator. But the rooms are spacious, and almost every major subway line is within blocks, making it a quick ride into Manhattan (if you actually want to venture over there). Rates: $199 to $499.
THE BOX HOUSE HOTEL
77 Box Street, (718) 383-3800
theboxhousehotel.com
HOW BROOKLYN IS IT? When I tried to find this 32-room hotel, in a building that once operated as a door factory in the Polish neighborhood of Greenpoint in north Brooklyn, I walked right past it. On a street that's a mix of small houses and industrial spaces, the Box House blends right in.
WHAT'S INSIDE I visited a friend who was spending the night in a bright, airy second-floor loft that was 550 square feet. We put together dinner in the full kitchen for a small party, then ate on the private terrace, which made me forget I was in a hotel rather than a well-decorated apartment. The door and closets were painted red, and filament bulbs hung from the ceiling gave off a warm glow. The layout was open, but tastefully arranged vintage furniture created separate spaces for a living room and bed. There was a sauna, gym and steam room, and takeout menus for local restaurants.
THE TAKEAWAY A bit off the beaten path, but when you're ready to go out, one of the doormen can give you a free lift to a nearby bar or subway. The hotel is a good option for families or for anyone who wants a quiet place to decompress. Rates: $199 to $499.
HOTEL BPM
139 33rd Street, (718) 305-4182
hotelbpmbrooklyn.com
HOW BROOKLYN IS IT? I was a bit puzzled by the surroundings of this music-themed hotel in Sunset Park whose name refers to "beats per minute" — auto-repair shops and the Gowanus Expressway. "This is one of those neighborhoods people forget," said the D.J. Bijal Panwala, the owner, who spins hip-hop in the lobby at night. "Everyone thinks Williamsburg is hot. Downtown is hot. So I'm trying to create something here."
WHAT'S INSIDE The standard king room is modern, but a little generic, with white walls and square furniture. The only detail that stands out is a sound system in the bathroom that pumps in playlists of dance music selected by Mr. Panwala. The bed is cushy; the linens are Italian. There's an iPod dock, free Wi-Fi and free magazines. While the hotel awaits a liquor license, the minibar is stocked with Boylan sodas. Twenty-four hour room service includes basic bar fare like hot wings, made and delivered by a local restaurant.
THE TAKEAWAY If D.J.'s on turntables at the check-in counter don't turn you off, this is your place. Rates: $209 to $409.
HOTEL INDIGO BROOKLYN
229 Duffield Street, (718) 254-7800
hotelindigo.com
HOW BROOKLYN IS IT? This 128-room hotel is across the street from the Aloft on a slightly dilapidated block, once home to abolitionists, that's becoming a hotel row for bigger names like Indigo. The Downtown Brooklyn location is the chain's 47th outpost, and the idea behind the brand, according to the company Web site, is to evoke the "individual tastes and cultures" of the community. I didn't see much of that on a recent visit after the Indigo opened in August, though the hotel says it plans to add Brooklyn-themed murals soon.
WHAT'S INSIDE I looked at a queen room that had high ceilings, mostly white décor and plenty of natural light shining through big windows. Nice touches included wood floors, a pin-tucked leather headboard and a Victorian-style mirror mounted over a desk that could function as a work space or vanity.
THE TAKEAWAY The Indigo Brooklyn is in its soft opening phase for the next few months, so some final details like a restaurant, bar and room service are missing. But the front desk staff members are extremely friendly, and charming brownstone-filled Fort Greene and Cobble Hill are close by. Rates: $150 to $800.
KING & GROVE
160 North 12th Street, (718) 218-7500
williamsburg.kingandgrove.com
HOW BROOKLYN IS IT? Just two blocks away from the Wythe Hotel, this 64-room boutique is in a glassy new structure that is typical of the new Williamsburg, where a building boom is in full force. The minibar is stocked with a smattering of neighborhood products like Ovenly's bacon-fat-roasted peanuts. You can also check out bikes and head for one of the many nearby bike lanes. Walking-distance attractions include a weekend farmers' market and Bedford Avenue, the area's main shopping and night-life drag.
WHAT'S INSIDE At 225 square feet, the standard king rooms are fairly compact but exude a natural, modern feel with bamboo floors, white linens and a black Eames rocking chair. Views are of the pool or McCarren Park. Upgrading will get you more space and a balcony with AstroTurf. All rooms have marble and glass showers with Malin+Goetz products. The rooftopbar and hotel restaurant won't open until early next year. For now you can grab a honey-infused cocktail at the cozy lobby bar or order breakfast in bed.
THE TAKEAWAY King & Grove is still a work in progress. Rates: $295 to $595.
WYTHE HOTEL
80 Wythe Avenue, (718) 460-8000
wythehotel.com
HOW BROOKLYN IS IT? Ever since it opened in Williamsburg in May, the Wythe has been the darling of the Brooklyn hotel scene for its literal execution of the "local" movement. Everything from the handmade wallpaper to the shampoo is sourced from companies in the borough. And original details like wood ceilings and cast-iron columns give a nod to the building's past as a sugar-barrel factory. The rooftop bar with unobstructed views of Manhattan is now a popular night-life spot for a young, hipster crowd.
WHAT'S INSIDE The loft rooms are spacious and radiate an industrial-chic air with concrete floors, dark wood details and steel side tables. I took a hot bath in a pedestal tub, then climbed into a comfy king-size bed made from salvaged wood and looked straight out onto the East River and the Empire State Building through floor-to-window ceilings. The Wythe doesn't offer room service but it does have Reynards, an excellent restaurant with a seasonal menu.
THE TAKEAWAY The Wythe provides good value and location in a nexus of stylish bars, restaurants and music halls. Rates: $179 to $799.
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