Arlo Williamsburg

Carlos and Abil, if I remember his name right, were especially welcoming at the front desk and pointed us toward places to eat. We tried one of their suggestions and were really glad we did. There are lots of coffee spots and small, cozy restaurants just a short walk away, and the Williamsburg location worked very well for us. Definitely a good place to stay.

Most of the staff, including the doormen and cleaning team, were helpful and friendly. The rooms themselves are cramped, though, with barely any room for belongings: tiny side tables and no counter space, so we had to clear the minibar to use it for toiletries. The bathroom setup was awkward too. The toilet area was so small I can't imagine it being easy for a tall person, and the shower is open to the room. A mirror opposite the frosted glass defeats the point of that glass. We managed, but it wasn't relaxing. More shared seating would help make the small rooms less of an issue. What ended our interest in coming back was how we were treated about outside food. On the first day, my brother brought Bordertown tacos, and staff said we could eat at the low tables in the bar area. Two days later, when he brought a breakfast burrito to share, a blond employee told us to leave because the space was technically a restaurant. That was embarrassing and rude, especially since we were in the bar area, not the main restaurant, there were hardly any diners, and we'd already been told that eating our food there was fine. I won't return after that. We've stayed at the Wythe and the Hoxton too, and both are superior.

The hotel made our Brooklyn wedding weekend much easier. When we couldn't use our wedding venue for the rehearsal event on Friday, the staff helped us find another space, and we held it at the Mirror Bar. We also used the Water Tower on Saturday morning while the bridal party got ready. Both were lovely, roomy settings and great for photos. We had booked a block at Arlo Williamsburg, and our suite was spacious, with a very comfortable bed and a beautiful view of the skyline. The staff were attentive and courteous, and our many friends and family visiting from out of town all had a wonderful stay. They appreciated the amenities and the location for getting around Brooklyn and Manhattan. The ferry and L train were both ideal. The team was so friendly, and I'd recommend the hotel for an event like ours.

The worst part of our stay was the bellman's treatment of us at checkout. It was bitterly cold, and our family, including an infant, waited just inside the entrance for our Uber. He kept holding the front door open so freezing air blew into the lobby. We were visibly uncomfortable and covering the baby with several blankets. Another employee told him to shut the door, but he continued. It came across as deliberate and hostile, as if he wanted to push us out into the cold. His lack of care was shocking, particularly toward a family with a baby. As we left, he muttered something in Spanish that sounded insulting and disrespectful, possibly racist. The lobby smelled bad, cleanliness was poor, and the property seemed badly maintained, but those problems were nothing compared with the bellman's rude, aggressive behavior. Guests should feel welcome and safe, not targeted. I would never come back after being treated this way.