The Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg offers a unique blend of trendy design and urban energy, making it a compelling lodging choice when you’re looking for a place to stay that’s close to Manhattan but with a distinct Brooklyn vibe. I’ve been reviewing this hotel to see how it fits into the wider Moxy brand and what it offers to travelers.
What is the Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg
The Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg is located right on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn’s popular Williamsburg neighborhood. This means you’re not far from the iconic Williamsburg Bridge, which makes it easy to explore parts of Manhattan like the Lower East Side, Chinatown, and Tribeca. It’s also conveniently about a 10-minute walk from the L train’s Bedford Avenue station, connecting you to the rest of the city.
This hotel has 216 rooms and seems to welcome a variety of guests, from families wanting to see the sights, to people traveling for work, and younger groups looking to enjoy Williamsburg’s lively bars and cool shops. I think the mix of guests is likely because the rates are more affordable than many other hotels in New York City, but still offer a more upscale feel.
Good to Know: Unlike some other Moxy hotels where the bar or cafe also serves as the check-in area, the Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg has a dedicated reception space with a beautiful mosaic mural behind the desks.
The hotel’s bars and restaurants are popular with both guests and locals, which can make your stay feel more like you’re part of the neighborhood.
Booking Your Stay
Since Moxy is part of Marriott, you can book your stay through the Marriott Bonvoy program. I’ve found that during less busy times of the year, like winter, you might see standard room rates as low as $163 per night or requiring around 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. However, when I looked into booking a City View King room for a visit in September, the cash rates were much higher, around $494 per night. Award rates can also go up, especially around holidays, sometimes reaching 73,000 points per night.
Generally, using cash might give you better value than using points, based on how Marriott Bonvoy points are typically valued. However, if you happen to have a 35,000-point Marriott free night certificate, which you can get from certain Marriott co-branded credit cards, it might be worth considering using it. Just be aware that you may need to add some extra points to cover the full cost of the room.
💡 Quick Tips
- Look for off-peak dates to potentially find better cash or award rates.
- Consider using a Marriott free night certificate if you have one.
- Check the value of using points versus cash for your specific booking dates.
Why the Location Works for Travelers
Whether you are visiting New York for business or a quick vacation, the hotel’s location makes it easy to get around. It’s surrounded by many restaurants and bars if the four dining and drinking spots at the hotel aren’t enough for you. Plus, it’s just a block away from the start of the Williamsburg Bridge.
If you want to head into Manhattan, you’ll be happy to know that the hotel is only a 10-minute walk to the L train. It’s also a 10-minute walk to the M, J, and Z trains. These subway lines connect you quickly to many parts of Manhattan, making it simple to reach places like the Empire State Building, the Museum of Modern Art, and Central Park.
Getting to and from the airports is also relatively straightforward. The hotel is about 8 miles from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and 11 miles from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). While traffic in New York can be unpredictable, this distance is often less than what you might experience traveling between airports and a hotel located in Midtown Manhattan.
Is the location good for families
The Williamsburg location offers a slightly more laid-back atmosphere than staying right in the busiest parts of Manhattan. It’s a neighborhood known for its cool shops and eateries. While it’s generally a pleasant area, I think it’s best to consider if the hotel’s vibe suits your family. It does lean towards a “party stay” feel, as the brand claims, with some eclectic artwork in the lobby and hallways.
My daughter Emma, who is 6, sometimes needs a space that feels a bit more geared towards her, while my older daughter Sofia, 13, enjoys exploring trendier spots. For families who prefer a quieter, more traditional hotel experience with lots of kid-focused amenities, other options might be more suitable. But if you and your children enjoy a lively neighborhood and easy access to both Brooklyn’s unique culture and Manhattan’s major attractions, this could work well.
Rooms: Stylish but Simple
When I entered my City View King room, I noticed the sleek, industrial design. Black metal details on the window and bathroom entrance, along with matching elements on the bed’s headboard and desk chair, created a cohesive look. The color palette of warm wood, sage green, and black was also appealing.
As is common with this brand, the room amenities were quite basic. There was a large flat-screen TV, but the room was sparsely furnished. Instead of a traditional closet, the small 158-square-foot room had a peg wall with a few pegs for hanging items. There was also a small alcove with hangers next to a flip-down desk that was not very wide.
💡 Quick Tips
- Pack light or be prepared to use the available hanging space efficiently.
- The desk is minimal, so plan to use it for quick tasks only.
- Consider earplugs if you are sensitive to noise.
The bed was comfortable, but I did notice that noise from the surrounding streets made it hard to sleep well. Even being on a higher floor, I could hear trucks and trains passing by, as well as sounds from inside the hotel like conversations in the hallways and doors opening. However, the view of the Williamsburg Bridge and lower Manhattan was a nice bonus that helped soften the impact of the noise.
In the bathroom, I liked the glazed tiles, which were a fun nod to the subway, and the Greek takeaway coffee cups that doubled as water cups by the sink. However, I wasn’t a fan of the glass doors for the shower and toilet, as they offered very little privacy. Having the sink located in the main room just inside the door was also a bit inconvenient for privacy when brushing teeth or getting ready.
The only toiletries provided were a bar of hand soap and two wall-mounted bottles in the shower for shampoo and body wash. While perfectly fine, it didn’t feel particularly luxurious.
Considering comfort for kids
For children, the rooms are compact. While they are clean and modern, there isn’t a lot of space for kids to spread out if they need to play. The minimalist design means you won’t find extra seating or play areas within the room itself. For my younger daughter Emma, a simple, clean space is fine, but for families who need more room to move or play games, it might feel a bit tight. Sofia, being a teenager, mostly used the room to sleep and charge her devices, so it worked well for her needs.
Dining and Drinks: A Highlight
Moxy hotels often elevate their food and beverage offerings, and the Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg is no exception. The main restaurant, Mesiba, serves contemporary Levantine cuisine in a lively setting inspired by Tel Aviv.
I had dinner at Mesiba and enjoyed everything I tried. The Frena bread with sour cream and shatta sauce was delicious. The charred octopus was incredibly tender and flavorful, and the lamb neck, which is large enough to share, was truly a standout dish.
Good to Know: Mesiba offers a vibrant dining experience with dishes suitable for sharing, making it a great option for groups or families who enjoy trying a variety of flavors.
To complement the meal, I ordered the Limonana, a refreshing citrus drink, and the Turkish Old Fashioned, a creative twist on the classic cocktail with a subtle Turkish coffee flavor. Both paired exceptionally well with the food.
For lighter options, Bar Bedford is located next to the check-in area. This impressive lobby bar serves coffee and pastries in the morning and craft cocktails and appetizers in the evening. I enjoyed visiting the bar to try a cocktail and watch the people passing by on Bedford Avenue.
Before checking out, I also stopped by Bar Bedford for matcha and a pain au chocolat, which were both lovely, though perhaps not groundbreaking.
Additionally, there are two other bars on-site: the seasonal Lillistar rooftop bar, offering city views, and the Jolene Sound Room lounge, which has a retro recording studio theme. I wasn’t able to visit Lillistar as it was booked for private events during my stay, but the Jolene Sound Room was an inviting space, though it was quiet when I stopped by on a Wednesday evening. It would likely be more lively on a weekend or later at night.
What to expect with kids at the restaurants
Mesiba’s menu has options that could appeal to children, such as the bread and potentially some simpler grilled items. While the atmosphere is lively, it’s not overly formal. At Bar Bedford, you can get coffee and pastries, which are usually kid-friendly. For families looking for a more straightforward kid’s menu, you might need to explore dining options outside the hotel, but Mesiba offers a culinary adventure that older kids and teens might enjoy.
Hotel Facilities
True to the Moxy brand, this hotel has limited on-site facilities beyond its food and beverage outlets. The main facility available to guests is a 24-hour fitness center.
The gym features a pop-art style mural and is equipped with various machines, including free weights, Pelotons, treadmills, yoga mats, and ellipticals. There’s even a punching bag and a jump rope for those who prefer a more intense workout.
💡 Quick Tips
- The fitness center is available 24/7 for your convenience.
- It’s well-equipped for various workout preferences.
- Remember to check if equipment requires prior booking if it does.
Accessibility Features
For guests who require them, the Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg offers accessible rooms in most categories. These rooms are designed for individuals using wheelchairs or those with hearing impairments and include features like roll-in showers and visual alarms.
The public spaces are also designed with accessibility in mind. The ground-floor venues, including Bar Bedford, Mesiba, and the Jolene Sound Room, are easily accessible without stairs. The hotel’s hallways and elevators are also wide, which can be helpful for wheelchair users compared to many older New York City buildings.
When This Hotel Might Not Be the Best Fit
While I found the Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg to be a good option, it may not be the ideal choice for everyone. Given that New York City has countless hotels, it’s helpful to consider what might not suit your travel style.
Even though this Moxy location appeals to a broader range of guests than some others, it still retains some of the spirited vibe of its sister properties. If you are traveling with very young children and prefer a hotel that is explicitly family-oriented with a quieter atmosphere, you might want to look into other options within the city.
Moxy is positioned as a budget-friendly brand, which is reflected in the amenities. If you’re hoping for extensive toiletries to take home with you, or hotel facilities like a spa or a swimming pool, this property likely won’t meet those expectations.
The location near the Williamsburg Bridge does make it relatively straightforward to get into Manhattan using the subway. However, if your main goal is to be right in the center of Manhattan’s attractions and activities, you might want to consider other Moxy locations, such as those in the Lower East Side, East Village, Times Square, or Downtown Manhattan.
Alternatives to Consider
New York City is packed with excellent hotels, so if the Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg doesn’t feel like the right fit for your trip, you have many other choices.
If you are loyal to the Marriott Bonvoy program and are looking for a different experience within their portfolio, you might consider the Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, the chic New York Edition, or the classic St. Regis New York. These offer more luxurious amenities and experiences.
For another option within the Williamsburg area that provides a boutique feel, The Hoxton, Williamsburg, or The William Vale might be worth exploring. They also have their own distinct scenes and amenities.
If your top priority is to stick to a budget and use points effectively with a different hotel brand, you could look at IHG’s Kimpton Hotel Eventi in Chelsea or Hyatt’s The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel, located in Manhattan’s Financial District. These offer different neighborhood experiences and amenities.
For a family vacation that prioritizes ease and has a strong focus on child-friendly experiences, I often look for hotels that offer amenities like pools or dedicated kids’ programs. While the Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg doesn’t have these, when we plan our trips, I keep an eye out for places that provide a good balance of adult appeal and kid-friendly activities, often comparing options within areas like Times Square or near Central Park.
If you’re planning a trip to New York City and want to explore options for places to stay and things to do, you can find a lot of helpful information on our guide to accommodations in NYC or explore the top things to do in the city.
Overall, the Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg is a solid choice if you are looking to explore the Williamsburg area or want to be close to Manhattan without staying in the busiest parts of downtown. Its rates can sometimes be higher than anticipated during peak travel times, which is something to keep in mind, especially given the simpler approach to in-room amenities.
