Anthea Gerrie Crosses The Bridge From Manhattan To Experience The Coolth Of Brooklyn Served Up With Warmth At Moxy Williamsburg
After the happening vibes of Moxy Chelsea and its sister Moxy Lower East Side, I expected more of the same when making the brief journey from the latter across the bridge to Moxy Williamsburg in the hippest corner of Brooklyn. But although the neighbourhood was as cool as I expected, there was rather more warmth in the welcome than at the exciting but frenetic Manhattan hotels.
All three are under the same ownership, but the clientele is distinctly different. At Moxy Williamsburg it feels like all those party people have grown up and are in search of somewhere to relax and enjoy social life with their young children rather than a nightclub to show off in.
Two reception stations made checking in a breeze, and the large, bright, open lobby immediately established itself as the heart of the hotel. My room, one of 216, was pleasingly homey considering the hotel was designed to reflect the architecture of the warehouse lofts and other industrial buildings in this part of Brooklyn close to the water. A profusion of green textiles and Baltic birchwood lent warmth, and oversize picture windows showcased the Williamsburg Bridge in the distance.
Hanging room in a small closet was supplemented by a Moxy New York signature detail – a wall equipped with pegs and extra hangers which saved space by sitting flush to the wall. A fold-down desk and stylish chair made the room as appealing and efficient to work in as to leave to go out and play. Even the bathroom, contained within the same clever ablutions cube which made the most of space in my two Manhattan Moxy bedrooms, was something to write home about here, having had a distinct upgrade in Brooklyn thanks to some very classy sage-green tiling reminiscent of Provence.
I was lucky enough to visit the hotel when the lobby opened directly to Mesiba, a Middle Eastern restaurant which attracted a loyal clientele. It has now become a private event space, but there’s all-day food as well as the cocktails which have made Bar Bedford, named for the buzzy Brooklyn street on which the hotel stands, a local gathering place on weekends. It also comes into its own by day as the place to enjoy breakfast served on a golden marble counter in a sunshine-filled lobby.
As at the Moxy hotels in Manhattan, good coffee is free until 10am and those classic New York breakfast bagels, the one with smoked salmon and cream cheese and the other one with the unknown-to-Brits but even more delicious whitefish salad, were on offer alongside egg dishes and a full range of pastries. There are also light bites, great cocktails and incredible views on offer at LilliStar, an indoor-outdoor rooftop venue offering a take on the Manhattan skyline it’s worth crossing the bridge for alone.
The hotel has a pickleball court in its garden bar extension as well as a 24/7 fitness centre equipped with Pelotons and other state of the art equipment and what’s described as a “high energy” lounge – Jolene Sound Room – for those who prefer dancing as their exercise.
But given that the neighbourhood is famous for vintage shopping, don’t miss a wander down Bedford Street towards N. 6th Street to explore a whole cluster of emporia – although you need to be on the bridge itself to see the amazing 11-storey “Get me to the Moxy!” mural which has been painted on the south facade of the hotel by British street artist D*Face. A phrase to remember indeed when arriving in New York in need of an affordable room with fun facilities at a good address.
Hotel images (C) Michael Klienberg.
Tell Me More About Moxy Williamsburg
Moxy Wiliamsburg 353 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11211, NY
T: +1 718 782 6699
Rooms from $179 per night
