The Penny Williamsburg

Penny Williamsburg

"Why book? Set slightly away from Brooklyn’s hotel row, Penny is the place for all the cool kids—the welcoming, kind ones full of energy and smiles. Expect bold design, excellent service, and a fresh dining scene with coveted outdoor space. Set the scene In the heart of Williamsburg, Penny (named in honor of a small dog whose photo you’re sure to see around the property) is a neighborhood beacon of warmth and inclusivity. Drawing a crowd that's vacationers and locals alike, you’ll find a younger demographic of artists, creatives, and New Yorkers looking to escape for a few days from the city hustle, or snag an expert cocktail on the hotel’s rooftop, where you can take in incredible skyline views. The rooms The property has 117 rooms and an incredible 700 square-foot suite with an outrageously generous private terrace, all offering complimentary in-room pour over coffee, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary bikes to pedal around town. Every room features a kitchenette—which really lends to feeling like you’re a neighborhood local. The style throughout all the rooms is playful, with bold pops of color and pieces of artwork that are never repeated. The property has partnered with two local non-profit organizations to source all of their art, LAND Gallery and Pure Vision Arts, which work with New York artists that have developmental disabilities. Food and drink Onsite rooftop bar and restaurant elNico is a destination in its own right. If the weather permits, you’ll want to kick off the evening by snagging a seat on the outdoor terrace where you can enjoy stunning skyline views and the cocktail program: Under the direction Leo Robitschek, you’ll find an impressive list of cocktails that feature inventive ingredients. If you’re looking for a cocktail recommendation, the Bidi Bidi Bom-Fashioned features bourbon, rye, toasted coconut, black sesame, and szechuan peppercorns (but be prepared to experience a mouth-numbing sensation). If you’re looking for something a bit more refreshing, the cantaloupe paloma features a perfect marriage of mezcal, lime, cantaloupe, and jasmine. The Mexican-inspired food menu under Chef Fer Serrano offers light bites like a clam tostado, esquites, carne asada, and pulpo pibil. If you’re looking for something unique and seasonal, don’t sleep on the tlayuda, a crunchy tostado covered in tzatziki, market vegetables, pomegranate seeds, and sumac. And the cherry on top of it all: The fact that the dining room and terrace are gorgeous spaces, designed with colorful details and ceiling installations. The neighborhood/area Penny is situated in the heart of Williamsburg and a stone’s throw to a myriad of incredible bars, restaurants, cafes, and shops. There's also ample access to the subway, should you choose to venture further through the G and L trains, a breezy four-minute walk from the property. The service You can expect a stylish, hip team that is truly eager to please. Don’t expect stuffy hospitality here—the mood, while professional, is light and relaxed. For families While there's certainly nothing anti family about Penny, the standard NYC-sized hotel rooms and booze-forward dining and bar program does lend itself to an adults-only stay. Eco effort: The team has a number of dedicated sustainability efforts throughout the property: Colorful glass carafes are used for drinking water in guest rooms, and all bath products are provided in large, refillable dispensers to avoid single-use disposables. When it comes to the rooftop furniture, harvested teak and vintage pieces as well as living plants are the main decorative elements—and propagating plants are given to staff to take home and grow once they are rooted. Lastly, the culinary team has a mission to be as close to zero-waste as possible, with the goal of utilizing every aspect of an ingredient when crafting their menu. Anything left to mention? If having a dog as the hotel’s mascot didn’t hint at this enough, dogs are always welcome at Penny. Guests will never face a pet fee and can choose from complimentary dog beds and dog bowls for their furry friend’s stay. The hotel’s digital mini bar even offers dog treats that can be delivered straight to your room at the press of a button." - Lara Kramer