The Best Hostels in Brooklyn, New York

A stone’s throw from nearby takeout restaurants ranging from Ethiopian to Korean cuisine, all major subway lines and Prospect Park, Union Hotel is a great Brooklyn base. Back at the hotel, enjoy curating your New York itinerary with the free wifi and munching your way through the contents of the vending machine before heading out. After dinner, head down to the hipster-packed bars on 4th Avenue, such as former tire shop Mission Dolores, where you can enjoy craft beer and board games.

Technically in Queens, and just across the East River from Manhattan, this three-star hotel is in the on-trend neighborhood of Dutch Kills, which is making a name for itself with its outdoor contemporary galleries and excellent ramen. The primary-colored rooms boast ultra-deep tubs, and a continental breakfast is included as standard. The hotel is also well connected, with the subway just a three-minute walk away.

Just 30 minutes by subway from both Manhattan and JFK, this guest house, in a former Victorian home, has a welcoming, old-time vibe. It’s small and quiet – less for party people and more for those seeking a restful early night. It also means you won’t have to wait in line for access to the two kitchens, which are well equipped with stoves, microwaves, coffee makers, refrigerators, silverware, plates and pots.

Party through the night in Bushwick before crashing at Neptune Hotel, which boasts a 24-hour front desk and free wifi. Prepare for your night out with a mozzarella-loaded Cheesus Christ pizza from nearby sustainable-food hangout Roberta’s, before enjoying local music at hard-rocking Shea Stadium and aerial shows at the House of Yes, one of the world’s best nightclubs.

Jostling among the craft breweries and French bistros of Hunters Point (just over the border into Queens), the Local offers an abundance of choice: double rooms, twin rooms, private quads and dorms in mixed, all-male and all-female iterations. The on-site bar is less run-down hostel and more sophisticated day-to-night social spot, with Fairtrade coffee and an inventive drinks menu of cocktails, local draft beers and canned IPAs.

This hostel blends in with the Victorian residences of Bedford-Stuyvesant, an area known as a center of African-American culture – Jackie Robinson and Jay-Z have both called it home. There’s a selection of private and dorm rooms on offer, as well as a common room and a large kitchen equipped with a microwave and gas stove.