New in Brooklyn: The William Vale

Staying in Brooklyn rather than Manhattan? Yes please! The new William Vale brings a cool design hotel to the already hopping Brooklyn neighborhood of Williamsburg. Just 5-10 minutes walking to Bedford Avenue and its many restaurants and bars, the hotel sits in a perfect location.

Our 2-night visit was on a Thursday and Friday, giving us a chance to experience the hotel and the neighborhood in action. While checking in with the very chic and very competent Reception team, we were offered a mocktail and macaroons – a sweet way to start our visit.

Our room, a “Gotham” King with balcony, had a killer view of the Manhattan skyline. The room was cozy (this is New York after all) but the balcony was generous, perfect for drinks prior to heading out for the evening. While petite, the layout of the room was incredibly efficient and we were very comfortable. Fortunately, this hotel knows how to keep travelers and their devices charged – plenty of outlets and USB ports everywhere.

After exploring the property further, we had two favorites: The first was the Vale Garden Residence. This incredible suite has the most beautiful outdoor terrace, complete with Jacuzzi, raised deck and outdoor dining. The inside featured a generous living room, dining area and two bedrooms. We could have spent all day in the master bath alone! If we were to have a hotel party for 4th of July fireworks, we’d pick this suite for sure. Seriously though, it would be great for entertaining friends, for a romantic tryst with your sweetie, or for anyone you might wish to impress.

Rooftop and Nightlife. And, taking full advantage of its skyline views, the hotel’s 22nd floor rooftop bar, Westlight, was the place to be. Reservations are most definitely required (reserve when you book your room), so if you can score one, this is a fantastic happy hour spot with friends or colleagues. We loved the buzzy vibe.

Important to note – The William Vale is in a hopping area, so you may get some street and club noise on the weekends. We had an early flight on Saturday morning, so when catching our Uber at 5 am, the clubs in the area were still going strong. Thursday night was quite a bit tamer, but still had energy. If you are looking for a happening place in New York, however, look no further – you’ve found your spot.