The view works in your favour
Staying in Brooklyn means looking at the Manhattan skyline rather than standing inside it, which is why the hotels here sell rooftop bars and river views so hard. Domino Park and the East River waterfront give you the classic view for free.
A genuine neighbourhood
Bedford Avenue and the streets around it hold a dense run of restaurants, bars, record shops and vintage stores. Smorgasburg, the large weekend food market, runs in Williamsburg on Saturdays in season. It is a real place with its own life, not a hotel district.
Check the L train before you book
The L is the direct line into Manhattan and it is quick, but it is a single line: when it is disrupted at weekends the alternatives add real time. If you are staying here, confirm weekend engineering work for your dates, as it can turn a ten-minute hop into forty minutes.
Who it suits
Is Williamsburg right for your trip?
Book here if
- Repeat visitors
- Longer stays and better room value
- Skyline views and rooftop bars
- Food and nightlife
Look elsewhere if
- It is a short first trip
- You want to walk to Manhattan landmarks
- You dislike depending on one subway line
Getting around
Bedford Av on the L line is one stop from 14 St-Union Square area in Manhattan. Metropolitan Av and Marcy Av add the G, J, M and Z. The East River Ferry is a slower but far more scenic alternative.
Hotels in this area
5 hotels reviewed in Williamsburg
The William Vale
A Brooklyn skyline hotel for travellers who want views, restaurants and a less obvious New York base.
- Best for
- Skyline views, Brooklyn nightlife, longer stays
- Subway
- Bedford Av L train area
Wythe Hotel
A converted 1901 factory on the Williamsburg waterfront, and still the definitive Brooklyn hotel.
- Best for
- Skyline views, design, repeat visitors, food and nightlife
- Subway
- Bedford Av on the L, about ten minutes on foot
The Hoxton, Williamsburg
A well-priced, well-run Brooklyn hotel from a London group, and an easy recommendation for UK travellers who already know the brand.
- Best for
- British travellers, couples, food and nightlife, value in Brooklyn
- Subway
- Bedford Av on the L, about ten minutes on foot
Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg
A lively, well-located Williamsburg hotel with compact rooms and an unusual amount going on downstairs.
- Best for
- Groups, nightlife, rooftop bars, short breaks
- Subway
- Marcy Av on the J, M and Z, and Bedford Av on the L
Penny Williamsburg
A calmer Williamsburg boutique with kitchenettes, suited to longer stays and travellers who want to self-cater.
- Best for
- Longer stays, self-catering, couples, quieter Williamsburg
- Subway
- Bedford Av on the L
Fast answers
Questions UK travellers ask about Williamsburg.
Is Williamsburg too far from Manhattan?
Not in distance: Bedford Avenue is one stop from Manhattan on the L. The question is whether you mind that every trip involves the subway, which matters more on a three-night visit than a week.
Is it cheaper than Manhattan?
Usually, and the rooms tend to be larger for the money. Factor in subway journeys and the occasional late-night taxi before assuming the saving is as large as the headline rate suggests.
Sources and update notes
Last updated: 17 August 2026. Hotel rates, fees, rules and transport details can change.