Penny Williamsburg

Penny Williamsburg, a Michelin Key Selected property, stands out as a distinctive and art-forward boutique hotel, offering a unique blend of Brooklyn charm and modern comfort in the heart of Williamsburg.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The Penny Williamsburg consistently garners high praise from guests, with an overall "Superb" to "Very Good" sentiment across major review platforms. Michelin Guide scores it highly, with 18.9/20 for overall experience, 19.0 for rooms, services, and cleanliness, and 18.7 for public spaces. Booking.com reviews average around 8.6-9.0, with guests frequently highlighting its excellent location, cleanliness, and staff. Many guests describe their stay as exceptional, praising the thoughtful design and comfortable atmosphere.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently love the hotel's art-infused design, which aims to replicate the classic North Brooklyn apartment experience with curated artworks and books. The vibrant rooftop bar and restaurant, ElNico, offering imaginative Mexican cuisine and panoramic views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan skyline, is a significant draw. The pet-friendly policy, including amenities like dog beds and bowls, is frequently appreciated. Other highlights include the convenient kitchenettes in rooms, complimentary pour-over coffee, and the provision of yoga mats and free bicycles.

3. Room Quality

The 118 guest rooms at Penny Williamsburg are designed to feel like stylish, comfortable apartment-style accommodations, even for New York City standards. They feature exposed concrete ceilings, hardwood floors, farmhouse sinks, plush settees, and armchairs. Rooms come equipped with kitchenettes including a mini-fridge, microwave, and pour-over coffee system with complimentary Devoción coffee and tea options. Guests often commend the comfortable beds with Egyptian cotton sheets and premium bedding, as well as the cozy Parachute cloud robes. Artwork from local nonprofits adorns the walls, adding to the unique residential feel. While some rooms are noted as being "small but very smartly laid out" for NYC, clever design elements like high ceilings, large windows, and mirrors help create an open and airy feel.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's rooftop restaurant and bar, ElNico, is a major highlight, serving modern Mexican cuisine for breakfast, brunch, and dinner, along with creative Latin-American inspired cocktails. The restaurant offers triumphant views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan skylines, making it a popular spot for sunset drinks and special occasions. Chef Fernanda Serrano's menu draws inspiration from her Mexican heritage and global travels, featuring dishes like esquites, chorizo-stuffed chile relleno, and grilled octopus al pastor. For in-room dining, guests can access "Penny Mart," a digital minibar available via QR code, which offers items delivered directly to the room, though traditional room service is not offered. Complimentary morning coffee is also available in the foyer.

5. Service & Staff

Feedback on service and staff is largely positive, with guests frequently describing them as friendly, helpful, attentive, and warm. Many appreciate the promptness and personalized advice on local attractions and dining. The staff is also multilingual. Specific mentions include excellent front desk service and accommodating requests.

6. Location & Accessibility

Penny Williamsburg is situated in a slightly more residential, yet vibrant, part of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, making it an ideal base for urban explorers. It's a five-minute walk from both the L and G subway lines (Lorimer Street or Bedford Avenue L train), providing quick access to Manhattan. The hotel is within walking distance of numerous popular shops, restaurants, bars, and attractions like McCarren Park Pool and East River State Park. Complimentary bicycles are available for guests to explore the neighborhood.

7. Value & Pricing

Many guests feel that Penny Williamsburg offers exceptional value for money, especially given its thoughtfully designed accommodations, modern amenities, and prime Brooklyn location. Room rates typically range from $165 to $300 per night, depending on the season and day of the week, with cheaper deals often found in February and September. It's noted that prices are competitive with the overall average for hotel rooms in New York City. A destination fee of approximately $25-$35 per room per night is collected upon check-in.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring criticisms include occasional noise, particularly from the nearby Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). There have been some mentions of inconsistent room cleaning, such as dust, and a need for deeper cleaning in certain areas. A few guests reported minor maintenance issues, such as shower leaks or towels with holes. In isolated cases, some guests found staff to be disinterested, not meeting their expectations for service quality. The check-in area, described as more of a hallway, can sometimes feel crowded.

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