Sort of like an upscale hostel common room. While every room has a tv, if you feel like being a bit more social you can hang out on the leather couches on the first floor and read magazines. UX was a bit off here.īefore I set out to explore Brooklyn, I had to check out the living room and garden. What the…? I moved some pillows and discovered the light switch hidden behind them. The next night I was sitting on the bed, leaning up against the pillow when I shifted and the overhead light went off. After futzing about with the switches for five minute I gave up, and too stubborn to call the front desk, put on my eye mask and went to sleep. For the life of me I couldn’t figure out how I managed to turn that light on, let alone turn it off again so I could sleep. It seems the room had originally been designed for two twin beds with the light switch for the overhead accent light between them. There was one quirk with my room that I didn’t sort out until my second night. There’s a light switch hidden behind these pillows. I always feel a bit weird filling the coffee maker from the bathroom tap, so this was a good change. You don’t get that in Manhattan! A mini fridge is always appreciated in a hotel room and a microwave and proper kitchen sink are even better. I was given a spacious king room with a kitchenette. Franklin Ave, where the Condor Hotel is located, is a quiet street but any noise like fire trucks going by on Flushing Ave can be heard. The hotel was smaller than I anticipated but, to me, that’s a bonus. Once I arrived at the hotel front desk I was greeted by friendly staff along with cookies and coffee.

They’re a very exclusive community so don’t expect smiles and hellos from the locals you’ll pass on the street. First, you walk along the northern edge of the Marcy Projects (where Jay-Z grew up) and then once you cross Nostrand Ave you’ll find yourself in Williamsburg’s Hasidic neighbourhood. The hotel is a 10 minute walk from the G train Flushing Ave. The Condor Hotel, my home for two nights, looked to be a well designed, boutique hotel in South Williamsburg, yet much more affordable than its island counterparts.Įven though I’d looked it up on Google Maps before I arrived, the location was still somewhat of a surprise to me. Things are changing now though and travellers have a handful of places to choose from on the eastern bank of the East River and Brooklyn itself is an attraction. Not ideal for the tourist who doesn’t want to schelp too far on the subway to get to attractions. Up until a few years ago your choice of hotels in Brooklyn was mainly limited to chains far from the hip hub-bub of Williamsburg. Leading up to my mini-cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas though I decided I wanted to check out the Brooklyn side of things. Up until this past fall, every time I’d been to New York, I’d stayed in Manhattan.

Condor hotel brooklyn