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Fancy strolling and shopping trendy in Williamsburg and enjoying its funky, buzzy nightlife without having to schlepp back to Manhattan? Hotel Indigo Williamsburg could be just the place.
Considering its walkable location and reasonable starting nightly rate, the hotel offers more than it needs to, with interesting food and drinks and even an appealing (seasonal) outdoor pool. Here’s what I thought of it.
Why stay at the Hotel Indigo Williamsburg?
You’ll know this is a Williamsburg hotel as soon as you glimpse the colorful street art by NYC graffiti muralist Fernando “Ski” Romero on the outside wall. Inside, amongst the industrial-aesthetic details in the high-ceilinged lobby, you’ll come upon lots of comfy places to relax over a coffee or cocktail, or even co-work at the oversized table facing the courtyard. In the warmer months, the scenic outdoor pool and bar attracts partiers into the wee hours (which is either a perk or a drawback, depending on your sleep habits and where your room is).
If you fancy venturing further afield, there’s a subway stop right outside to whisk you into Manhattan.
What are the rooms like at the Hotel Indigo Williamsburg?
Assuming you’ll be out painting the town, the 187 guest rooms are really more just a place to crash when you’re done. Though the layout varies from one king or queen bed to two double beds, all have a simple, modern look, with wood floors, pale grey walls, muted pink accents on chairs and curtains, and a smattering of geometric artworks. Compact white-tiled bathrooms have rain showers with, thank goodness, good water pressure.
Some rooms do come with balconies; our premium king room had an extra-large one, though the views of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway weren’t much to speak of (though luckily the windows were thick enough that I couldn’t hear the constant traffic noise). If you’re here to get some work done and don’t feel like co-working in the lobby amongst the masses, make sure your room comes with a desk, as not all of them do.
The 26 suites have the same clean look, but are generously sized. The loft suite features a cool lofted bedroom accessed by a spiral staircase—plus a gigantic balcony perfect for inviting over some new friends for a nightcap.
What are the food and drinks like at the Hotel Indigo Williamsburg?
Continent Brooklyn serves up delicious, out-of-the-ordinary Caribbean-Asian fusion in a warm and sophisticated space. Start with the yard man oysters, topped decadently with callaloo (leafy greens), duck bacon, and garlic butter, and the shrimp mandu, shrimp-filled dumplings flavored with Jamaican curry and lemongrass. Mains are similarly intriguing, and you’d be remiss not to try the braised lamb shank with cassava au gratin and mushroom ragu, or the fried whole snapper with red coconut curry sauce and szechuan vegetables—or, for a splurge, the signature tomahawk steak for two with a jerk rub, confit tomatoes, and bone-marrow garlic butter. Don’t sleep on the cocktails, either; the Lychee Love was a winner.
For a tasty breakfast (think avocado toast or chicken and waffles), lighter all-day eats (salads, burgers, and sandwiches), or a well-mixed cocktail or glass of wine, Kēap Sipping Café, located in the lobby, more than delivers. But the star of the show is Aliya Cocktail Den, a decadent speakeasy near the pool that offers Caribbean-Asian small plates like oxtail tostones and jerk chicken pot pie, along with interesting cocktails and prime people watching.
What’s the service like at the Hotel Indigo Williamsburg?
Service here is uniformly cheerful and efficient. Since we had tickets to a concert at Brooklyn Bowl, we had a bit of a time crunch at dinner, and dishes were brought to us at a good pace that somehow didn’t make us feel rushed. Breakfast at Kēap Sipping was similarly speedy, and while we needed to order at the counter, it was delivered to us at the co-working table, with a smile. Otherwise, service is unobtrusive, but around if you need it.
What are the pool, gym, and other facilities like at the Hotel Indigo Williamsburg?
If your stay coincides with pool season, from May till late September, you’re in for a treat: The 70-foot outdoor heated pool, on the fourth floor with skyline views, is a fantastic place to take a dip or lounge on a chaise or in a cabana. It’s connected to Aliya Cocktail Den, so you can also get a margarita delivered right to your seat.
Between 7 pm and 2 am from Thursdays to Saturdays, the pool area transforms into a vibrant outdoor cocktail lounge, often with a DJ spinning Afrobeats. (Note that if you’re traveling with kids, they’re only allowed in the pool area between 9 am and 1 pm daily.)
To squeeze in a workout, a good-sized 24-hour gym has a nice selection of treadmills, ellipticals, and bikes, along with free weights and weight machines. They also offer complimentary bikes, perfect for a day spent exploring the neighborhood.
What’s the area like around the Hotel Indigo Williamsburg?
Hotel Indigo isn’t in the buzziest part of Williamsburg; for that, you’ll need to walk about 15 minutes toward the water or opt for a short cab ride. But there’s still plenty to do in the surrounding neighborhood, not least old-school Kellogg’s Diner right next door, which serves up classic comfort food along with Tex-Mex specialties 24 hours a day, or the highly regarded nearby taco truck Birria-Landia.
Catch live music at neighborhood stalwart Union Pool, a happening bar inside a 1960s-era pool supply store, grab a pint at dive bar Rocka Rolla, or hear jazz and dine on oysters at supper club St. Mazie. For your culture fix, Brooklyn Art Haus has live events nearly every night, from comedy to circus arts to theater to film screenings. Plus the Metropolitan Avenue/Lorimer Street subway station is just up the block, making it easy to take the L train to and from Manhattan.
Why should you book a stay at the Hotel Indigo Williamsburg?
It serves up a little something for everyone: solid food and drink options, a vibey cocktail bar and pool, lots of indoor and outdoor spots to hang out, and a convenient location for a neighborhood wander. Add to that a relatively affordable price for an NYC hotel, and Hotel Indigo Williamsburg makes a solid pick.
DETAILS
Address: 500 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Price: Rooms start at $168 per night
Closest transport: Metropolitan Avenue/Lorimer Street subway station (L and G trains) is a 1-minute walk
Book now: via Booking.com
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