So, you’re looking at staying at a 1 Hotel New York City location. Maybe it’s the ivy-covered facade of Central Park or the industrial-chic vibe over at Brooklyn Bridge. Honestly, most people see the "sustainable luxury" tag and assume it’s just a fancy marketing gimmick to charge $800 a night for a room with a reclaimed wood headboard.
It’s actually a lot weirder—and better—than that.
The first time I walked into the 1 Hotel Central Park, I half-expected to see someone composting in the lobby. Instead, I saw 40,000 plants hanging off the walls and felt like I was in a high-end greenhouse that happened to have a James Beard Award-winning chef downstairs. It’s a vibe. But let’s get real: is it worth the hype, or are you just paying for the privilege of a five-minute shower timer?
The 1 Hotel New York City Identity Crisis (In a Good Way)
There isn’t just one "1 Hotel New York City." There are two distinct personalities. You’ve got the Central Park spot on 6th Avenue, which is basically an urban sanctuary for people who want to be steps from the park but still close enough to Bergdorf’s to do some damage. Then you’ve got the Brooklyn Bridge location in Dumbo, which is where the "cool" people go to take photos of the skyline while drinking a $28 espresso martini at Harriet’s Rooftop.
Both properties were dreamed up by Barry Sternlicht. He’s the guy who started W Hotels, but apparently, he got tired of the "party all night" aesthetic and decided the world needed "luxury that doesn't hate the planet."
What most people get wrong is thinking these hotels are just about being "green." They are. But they’re also obsessed with texture. We’re talking 6,000 square feet of reclaimed wood from old New York water tanks. You aren't just sleeping in a room; you're sleeping in a piece of local history. Sorta.
The Central Park Vibe
If you stay at the Central Park location, you’re in the middle of everything. It’s LEED Certified, which is a big deal in the building world, but as a guest, you’ll mostly notice the small things. Like the fact that there are no plastic bottles. None. Instead, you get a filtered water tap in your room and a recycled wine bottle turned into a carafe.
The rooms? Cozy. Kinda small, if we’re being honest—this is Manhattan, after all. But they have these window nooks with benches that make you feel like you're hovering over the city.
The Brooklyn Bridge Swagger
Dumbo is different. The 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge feels massive. It’s built with heart pine beams from the old Domino Sugar Factory. It has a 25-foot green wall in the lobby that looks like a jungle is trying to reclaim the building.
The big draw here is the view. You can literally slide open your floor-to-ceiling windows and turn your room into an open-air den. You’re looking right at the Manhattan Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. It’s the kind of view that makes you forget you just spent a week's salary on a weekend stay.
What It’s Actually Like to Stay There
Let’s talk about the "sustainable" quirks because they can be polarizing.
- The Shower Timer: There’s a literal five-minute hourglass in the shower. It’s a "gentle reminder" to save water. Do you have to follow it? No. Does it make you feel slightly guilty when the sand runs out and you’re still conditioning your hair? Absolutely.
- The Key Card: It’s a piece of recycled wood. It feels nice. It actually works.
- The Clothes Block: This is actually a cool touch. There’s a wooden block in the room that says "1 Less Thing." If you leave clothes you don't want anymore under it, the hotel donates them to Housing Works.
- The "Good" Mini Bar: It’s stocked with local snacks, not just the usual corporate stuff. Think Brooklyn-made pita chips and vegan snacks.
Food-wise, you’re looking at Jams in Central Park (Jonathan Waxman’s spot) and The Osprey or Barbuto in Brooklyn. The food is farm-to-table, which is a phrase that’s been beaten to death, but here it actually means something. They source from places like Brooklyn Grange and Gotham Greens.
Honestly, the Lobby Farmstand is my favorite part. They have "imperfect" fruit out for guests—stuff that’s too "ugly" for grocery stores but tastes fine. It’s free. In a city where a bottle of water costs $9, free fruit feels like a revolution.
The Reality Check: The Service and the Scene
Is it perfect? Nope.
If you read the latest reviews from late 2025 and early 2026, you'll see a pattern. The Brooklyn property, especially, can get "sceney." In the summer, Harriet’s Rooftop is crawling with influencers and people trying to get the perfect sunset shot. If you’re a hotel guest, you might still have to fight for a seat at the pool because they sell day passes. That’s a bit of a letdown when you’re paying premium rates.
Also, the service can sometimes feel more "boutique" than "five-star." Sometimes the check-in line is long. Sometimes the staff is so laid back they’re almost horizontal. It’s not the stuffy, white-glove service you’d get at the St. Regis. It’s more "hey, welcome to the sanctuary" vibes. Some people love it; others find it annoying when they just want their bags brought up.
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Why 1 Hotel Still Matters
In a city full of generic glass towers and tired old-world hotels, the 1 Hotel New York City locations offer something that feels alive. They smell like cedar and lemon—a custom scent that I’m pretty sure they pump through the vents to make you feel calmer than you actually are.
They also walk the walk. The Brooklyn Bridge location uses 100% wind power energy. They collect rainwater to irrigate Brooklyn Bridge Park. They aren't just slapping a "green" label on a building; they’re actually trying to change how hotels operate in a massive, wasteful city.
Actionable Tips for Your Stay
- Book the "Park King" at Central Park: If you don't get the park view, you're looking at a brick wall or an alley. It's worth the extra cash.
- Avoid the Rooftop at Peak Hours: If you’re in Brooklyn, go to Harriet’s for a mid-week drink or early morning. Saturday at sunset is a zoo.
- Use the Audi Experience: Both hotels have fully electric Audi house cars. They’ll drive you within a certain radius (usually 3 miles) for free on a first-come, first-served basis. Use it. It’s way better than an Uber.
- Check the Calendar: They do "Dark Sky" ceremonies and Full Moon parties. They’re a bit "woo-woo," but they’re unique and usually include local DJs or tarot readings.
If you want a stay that feels like a detox from the city while being right in the heart of it, this is your place. Just don't be surprised when you find yourself timing your shower. It happens to the best of us.
Next Steps for Planning
If you're ready to book, your next move is to decide which borough fits your itinerary. If you have Broadway shows or museum visits planned, stick to 1 Hotel Central Park. If you want a more residential, artistic vibe with better views of the skyline, head over the bridge to Dumbo. Check their official site for "Winter Solstice" or seasonal offers—they often bundle food credits that make the high room rates a bit easier to swallow.