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Brooklyn’s fusion of history, diversity and ingenuity informs its unique identity. The large New York borough cannot be categorized with one adjective because it is so varied; one block can be completely different than the block before it. It is also rapidly evolving, becoming a destination for artists, businesses and families alike. It is certainly a complex ecosystem ideal for visitors who favor the grungy, the refined and everything in between.
In order for Brooklyn visitors to immerse themselves in the area, it doesn’t hurt to lodge somewhere that celebrates the area that it is located in. Rather than staying in a hotel whose aesthetic and services are static no matter where they are located in, travelers should be able to get a taste of Brooklyn before they even step outside.
This is where the NU Hotel comes in. Part of the Independent Collection’s series of hotels, the NU Hotel has the urban, industrial and colorful atmosphere, reminiscent of Brooklyn’s identity. It is fairly intimate in size with a whimsical, angular lobby space, 93 guest rooms and an outdoor lounge serving beverages and bites.
The rooms are delightfully atypical, with sleek recycled hardwood floors and furniture pieces. The premier artful amenity in the rooms is their walls. Part of its NU Perspectives Project, the hotel gives local artists the go-ahead to put their work on the walls of its guest rooms. The art on the walls spans from street art to colorful cartoons to collage. Currently 15 rooms feature these personalized masterpieces, but the hotel is still accepting submissions.
The hotel is tucked in a Brooklyn neighborhood, which is rapidly industrializing and central to many attractions. As far as ways to entertain yourself in the area, the options are eclectic and wide-ranging. For a more didactic, historical experience, the Brooklyn Museum houses an extensive collection of venerable and contemporary exhibits. Nearby is Prospect Park, which serves as an organic retreat from the constant urban bustle, must like its Manhattan counterpart. Neighborhoods like that of Williamsburg and Bushwick are building an ecosystem of shops, venues and studios within the industrial warehouse-laden city blocks. Park Slope streets are ideal for strolling and enjoying the suburban buzz and beautiful brownstones. In terms of food, Brooklyn is acclaimed for radical and refined cuisine that can be found all over the area.
Vacationers and staycationers alike should check out this unique hotel that celebrates Brooklyn as a thriving cultural destination that has something for everyone.
-by Johanna Silver