A Riverside Sanctuary: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge – Review

Martha Davies checks into 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, a sustainability-focused spot boasting spectacular New York City views.

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Hotel Review: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

Where to rest your head in the city that never sleeps? It’s a conundrum faced by anyone roaming New York. When the sun slides down the windows of the skyscrapers and lights wink on in their windows, you’ll want to find somewhere to bed down – and there’s nowhere quite like an outpost of planet-conscious brand 1 Hotels. 

The US-born hotel group boasts two New York locations: 1 Hotel Central Park and 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. The former stands on Sixth Avenue, serving as a halcyon refuge from Midtown’s frenetic rhythms, while the latter is perched on the edge of the East River – and this waterfront location is perhaps its biggest selling point. I spent my first night at 1 Brooklyn Bridge in a Liberty King room with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Manhattan skyline, and my second night in a room directly facing the bridge itself. Both rooms offered the kind of jaw-dropping views that made me want to sleep with the curtains open; in fact, I didn’t really want to sleep at all, content with watching cars march across the city as the river danced below. 

If you do manage to tear yourself away from the window, however, there’s a lot of wonderful things to explore at 1 Brooklyn Bridge. From the moment you enter, the interiors feel calming and utterly cool; think lush garlands of foliage (including a 25-foot plant wall in the lobby), locally-sourced stone surfaces, and furniture fashioned from reclaimed beams. Head upstairs to the state-of-the-art fitness centre, rooftop terrace and Bamford Wellness Spa, or check out the hotel’s multiple dining options. The Neighbors Café is perfect for a quick bite, while Harriet’s Lounge is the place to go for cocktails and city views, and if you’re after a hearty meal, you can grab a table at The Osprey, an Aussie-inspired restaurant helmed by celebrated chef Dan Churchill. 

While every 1 Hotel is rooted in eco-luxury, I arrived not quite knowing what that looks like – but it turns out it’s all in the details. Guest rooms are complete with filtered water taps and glasses crafted from old wine bottles, while headboards are repurposed from old packing crates and doormats are made from upcycled leather. I particularly loved the sand timer in my shower (which reminded me not to spend an unnecessarily long time standing under a torrent of hot water, even after a particularly chilly day in the city) and the ‘1 Less Thing’ initiative, allowing guests (especially those prone to overpacking) the option of leaving unwanted items in their rooms to be donated to the hotel’s local charity partners. 

There’s also a huge wellness focus, too, with Bamford products in every room, healthy snacks in the mini bar, and even a yoga mat in the wardrobe. When you’re ready to head into the city, you can hop in an Audi E-Tron – the hotel’s official house car, which happens to be fully electric. But whether you venture across the river or stick to the Brooklyn streets, serenity will be ready and waiting when you return.

THE FINAL WORD

It’s eco chic, and it’s utterly gorgeous – everything has been thought out here. With incredible amenities, top-notch food and flawless views (not to mention hugely impressive sustainability credentials) you can’t ask for much more from a Brooklyn bolthole.

BOOK IT

60 Furman Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201, United States | 1hotels.com