Penny Williamsburg

The Williamsburg location was just right for us, two blocks from the L train. We loved the neighborhood and hardly left. There are so many good places to eat, cool bars, vintage shops, and city views nearby. Even with snow on the streets it felt peaceful, and it was surprisingly quiet for the city. Close to everything, but still calm and homey. I can’t wait to return, maybe with my doggies next time. The rooftop bar also does delicious cocktails and has dreamy skyline views. My boyfriend and I spent a peaceful, snowy long weekend at The Penny and fell for the whimsical design, friendly service, furry neighbors, and general comfort. Our room was a great size for two, larger than other city rooms I’ve booked. The bed was cozy and clean, and we slept like babies. The bathroom was small but worked well, with a warm shower, great pressure, a big showerhead, detachable wand, and lovely toiletries. We especially liked the big striped robes. The kitchenette had coffee, a mini fridge, sink, microwave, carafe, mugs, and glasses, which made the room feel like home. There was just enough closet space, plus a yoga mat, block and roller, a little bench and round table, lots of hooks, plenty of outlets, and a small nightstand. The playful art and warm lighting were charming, more like a cool friend’s apartment than a hotel. I also enjoyed the NYC coffee table books. Big thanks to every staff member we met, they were kind and helpful.

Parking is the one difficult part of the area, though there’s a loading spot right in front of the door so you can bring your gear up. Otherwise, this is a fantastic place to stay in Brooklyn. The service is exceptional, and the rooms stand out with all their cool pictures and art. There’s a rooftop bar with an overlook of Brooklyn, and good restaurants and grocery stores are just around the corner.

The location was perfect. We parked on the street for most of our stay, were two blocks from the Bedford & 7th station, and had plenty of local shops and places to eat nearby. The neighborhood felt incredibly homey, especially with the church’s holiday lights across the street. We’ll definitely stay at the Penny again. We loved our Christmas visit. The building is so cool, the staff were kind and accommodating with our family, and the in-house snacks and meal options suited our needs exactly. The room worked well for us, and the staff tidied it and left fresh towels each day. A few things could be better: we found dust on the headboard and bed frame/side table, along with visible scuffs on the floor, even though we left our shoes in the entryway. More time between guests for a thorough clean would help. Water also came out from under the shower doors. We managed by aiming the showerhead farther inward and putting a rolled-up towel on the floor. The fabric towel hook outside the bathroom is a neat idea, but we hesitated to use it because of possible bacteria in the fibers. We would’ve preferred a wipeable metal hook or more metal bath hooks.

Our room at The Penny was quiet at night, looking out over 8th St at a church with no sirens or similar noise at odd hours. There’s a market and deli around the corner with good, reasonably priced breakfast options, plus several coffee shops within walking distance. El Nico on the roof was great for drinks and appetizers. The Kellogg Diner was nearby with a large, varied menu, as was a lovely Italian restaurant. Plenty of food and drink close by. We were very happy with the hotel and location and wouldn’t hesitate to book again. The sleeper queen room was spacious for NYC. The pullout twin was relatively comfortable, with no metal bars poking through the mattress and topper, though it had a dip I sank into at night. My mother found the queen bed comfortable. There was plenty of hot water for showers.