If you want to experience Brooklyn (the brand) without ever leaving the isle of Manhattan, this is where you should hang your hat. The hotel, once a millinery factory has charming industrial touches to lend a nostalgic vibe, from milliner tools hanging in the lobby to wooden floors in the rooms—and a hip crowd follows.
Evening lends itself to chic thirty-somethings spilling into Winnie's Jazz Lounge, adjacent to the lobby. The same goes for those in the hotel's restaurant, Parker & Quinn, and rooftop bar, Refinery Rooftop. An exceptionally attentive concierge hand over a glass of wine and a room key, which opens a hotel room (in this case, a truly spacious suite with a king bed, couch and two flat-screen TVs) that looks, and possibly smells (sandalwood?) dramatically different than hotel norms. The interior is minimalistic, featuring the aforementioned oak floors and furniture, tan couch, oversized Art Deco lamp and a painting on the wall giving a moody splash of color.
Heading out for a bite or a nightcap? Don't miss the Brussels sprouts dripping in sauce at Parker & Quinn (trust me, you haven't tasted them like this before), and head up to Refinery Rooftop for more rustic vibes. Strings of bulbs hang from the ceiling for a picnic-after-dark atmosphere, while a retractable roof shields partiers from whatever weather may come. This may be a mid-Manhattan spot, but it's far from the type of clubby scene most New Yorkers avoid; lounge in booths, gab by the bar or get a view of the skyline outside.
When you've had your fill, slip on the hotel's plush robe and slippers and sink deep into the dreamy bed. When you awake, be sure to take a lingering shower, large enough for two (or three) before returning back to a faster-paced reality.
Time Out tip: For a rip-roaring night out, head to Howl at the Moon for live music in a dive bar atmosphere. See some of the city's under-the-radar musicians do rousing renditions of your favorites from decades past, hit the dance floor and get your drinks delivered to you by the bucket (literally).