Manhattan might well be the style, but Brooklyn is the substance of New York. The vital organs of the city lie here, across the Hudson, doing their work and forging the city’s identity. Whether it’s the hip upcycled neighbourhoods of Williamsburg, the open spaces of Prospect Park, the iconic Metro-shaded Broadway, or the brownstones of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn is as much a part of the world’s movie-driven consciousness of New York as anywhere else.
Prices in Brooklyn have always been relatively reasonable and that makes this borough a great place to have a reasonable hostel stay. Most hostels in Brooklyn are located close to a metro station, with good, regular links all over the city. However there is a disappointingly low choice still available across all New York. With this is mind, we have compiled a list of Brooklyn’s five best hostels, including some cheaper hotels, based on location, connectivity and amenities, as well as comfort and cost.
Dorms from $33/ night
A neat and clean, if slightly faded, hostel that regularly offers the most competitive bed prices in Brooklyn. There is a good sized common area with a pool table. The good news for anybody who dislikes bunk beds is that most dorms have a number of single beds rather than bunks, and the rooms have a good amount of space. Wifi is available throughout the hostel and there are vending machines in the reception area where the desk is manned 24 hours a day.
Dorms from $50/ night
Although the name is a little misleading, this spot is a great little hostel and is indeed open to travellers. And if pool tables are the measure of a hostel’s quality in this part of the world, then International Students Residences attempt to go a step better by including a fußball table in with the pool and ping-pong tables to their spacious common area. Located on the edge of hip Williamsburg, the hostel is just a minute from Marcy Avenue Metro Station, making a trip to Manhattan or elsewhere in Brooklyn really easy.
Pods from $90/ night
Pod is so new that it’s photographs consist mainly of artist’s renderings of how the place is supposed to look. That is because it has only just officially opened. So if you’re a fan of that new room smell then this is a great choice in one of the best parts of Brooklyn; the heart of Williamsburg. Beds are what are known as bunk or queen pods, a slight improvement, in terms of space, on the capsule hotels of Japan. In the compact pod are a flatscreen TV, small desk space, air conditioning and a personal bathroom.
Private rooms from $80/ night
What is the mark of a good cheap room? Location or perhaps prices are the key things that most people will go for. At Hostel Greenpoint YMCA the bonus is in the extras that come with each room, including a swimming pool and fitness centre. There are actually no dorms at this particular YMCA, but the private rooms are good value and come with a breakfast included in the price. Bathrooms are shared and the furnishings in each room are simple with few extras.
Private apartments from $67/ night
The Justice Suites can be found near Clinton Hill. Although not well connected to the metro the price for a private apartment actually competes with some of the dorm bed prices in New York. There is plenty provided to guests in the apartment, including a sofa, tea and coffee maker, equipped kitchen and wifi all in an air-conditioned environment. The bigger suites are not much higher in price and yet offer a great amount of space. There is also a smaller one bed apartment and a family suite available.
