Gone are the days when New York City was all about Manhattan, and most visitors only stepped foot in Brooklyn on a crossing of the famous bridge! Over the last decade, NYC’s most-populated borough has transformed into the place to be for cool kids, young professionals, and families looking for a dynamic environment and high quality of life. With its parks, museums, restaurants, cultural institutions such as the BAM, and the revitalization of neighborhoods such as DUMBO and Williamsburg, Brooklyn has become synonymous with art, culture, and innovation, and is fast growing into a tourist destination of its own. Exciting boutique hotels have also sprouted, offering many opportunities to enjoy the Brooklyn life from the inside. Here are my top picks for those looking to stay in style in NYC’s most happening borough:

A touch of luxury at the Lxure Brooklyn Suites

The Lxure Brooklyn Suites Hotel offers clean, modern suites with a taste of luxury in its design details including high ceilings, chandeliers, heated marble floors, and leather sofas. The bathrooms are all equipped with large jacuzzi baths, and the cool factor springs from amenities such as flat-screen TVs and iPod docking stations. You can have your complimentary breakfast delivered to you in your suite, and when you choose to leave it, the hotel’s close proximity to both the F and Q trains gives you direct and swift access to all of Brooklyn’s and Manhattan’s attractions. Comfort + location = score!

Chic and comfort at Hotel Le Jolie

Located at the heart of Brooklyn’s hippest neighbourhood, Williamsburg, Hotel Le Jolie delights its guests with irreproachable style and comfort. The European-inspired decor merges with top-notch American service, and the experience is raised by the hotel’s focus on pampering you. Thoughtful details include ergonomic beds with orthopedic mattresses, lush bed linen, plush bathrobes and slippers, and high-quality beauty products. Technology is also used to enhance your stay: rooms come with high-resolution flat screens, a huge range of movies and TV channels, and iPod docking stations. Other perks lie in the complimentary breakfast, free parking, and discounted tickets to NYC’s greatest attractions. All in all, Hotel Le Jolie is sophisticated, classy, cosmopolitan, and edgy, just like the vibrant Williamsburg area!

Location on a budget at International Students Residence

If you’re traveling alone and/or on a budget, International Students Residence is your go-to. This design hostel offers dorms or private rooms with immaculate bathrooms and a fun atmosphere. The stylish lounge features exposed brick walls, edgy art, and pingpong and pool tables. The hostel is also ideally situated at the center of young Williamsburg, close to JFK and La Guardia airports, and a short subway ride away from NYC’s key sites. Basically, it’s everything you need at a reasonable price!

Victorian homeliness at Eve’s Place

Make Eve’s Place your home away from home and enjoy the cosy charm of this award-winning, Victorian-themed B&B. Located in a scenic, leafy neighborhood, this is the ideal retreat from the bustle of NYC, providing quiet only a few blocks away from all amenities and key transportation links. In this beautifully-decorated period house, you’ll have your own suite including a fully-equipped kitchen, as well as access to many lovely extras such as a complimentary continental breakfast, satellite TV, a DVD player, and help booking your sightseeing activities.

Stay on the bright side at La Quinta Inn & Suites

La Quinta Inn & Suites encourages its guests to “wake up on the bright side”, and everything from the pillow-top bed to the hydromassage shower, the premium toiletries, and the buffet breakfast is designed to ensure you do. The hotel is within easy reach of train lines to Brooklyn and Manhattan, and is located next to one of the borough’s best attractions, Prospect Park, Central Park’s cousin with its own zoo and ice-skating rink.

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