Arlo Williamsburg — Hotel in New York

Friendly staff, but it's very clear the Arlo is a rebrand of an older hotel with new-ish fixtures applied to make it trendier.

The staff were nothing but pleasant but we also were sitting in the lobby for four hours waiting for early check-in only to be checked in at 3:01pm, which I genuinely think only happened because I physically went to the counter to talk to someone other than the first employee I spoke to that morning. Obviously this could be confirmation bias but it still stings to get promotional texts from the company because I gave the desk my number to text me when the room is ready... And in the end it's clear an appropriate room had been ready and I wasn't told about it until I went to the desk and brought a new employee into the situation.

It's a $200+/night hotel in an expensive neighborhood next to a hotel that hosts events like On Air Fest. It's painfully obvious the target clientele is affluent enough to regularly pay the $75 late checkout fee, meaning they get in situations where housekeeping physically can't turn rooms around fast enough for them to be ready at 3pm, let alone early.

Our room was... Okay.

No fan in the bathroom or any soundproofing whatsoever, so have fun destroying the toilet and then stepping out to look your spouse in the eye as the smell of your toilet crimes drifts into the bedroom.

The TV was a janky budget bin model built around the idea guests will Chromecast video to the screen instead of using apps on the TV itself, which is infinitely more frustrating as the Chromecast feature regularly glitched across multiple phones. What's worse: it was obvious the TV actually had the YouTube app installed but the proprietary hotel operating system didn't let you actually use it beyond casting a video to the TV. A pointlessly cheap feeling and obtuse system. At this point I'm going to start travelling with a Roku box and overriding the hotel TV nonsense entirely.

The room is also festooned with snacks and drinks meant to upcharge you, except the rushed staff didn't have time to restock the snack bar so there were already snacks missing. We're still waiting to find out if we get charged for food that wasn't even there.

And for the ultimate insult: the minibar fridge simply did not work. Everything was room temperature on arrival and never got colder. We used our balcony as a fridge by keeping drinks outside in the Brooklyn winter.

The Arlo really wants you to think it's a 4 star hotel but most of the amenities it gussies up as perks of staying are up charges ($15 off the restaurant every day means you still gotta pay something because entrees never get that low) or are amenities you'd find at any Holiday Inn in a flyover state.

It tries to use presentation to cover up the fact it needs a full renovation but you can still see all the suspicious white stains on the black room doors. You can still hear everything happening in the hallway. You still have to endure the realities of a bathroom with zero ventilation or soundproofing five feet from the bed.

It's okay, and it's incredibly good location if you're attending an event at the Wythe, but not something I'd actively choose to pay...

As previously mentioned, I find this hotel being referenced as 5 star comical. I stayed here for my sisters wedding.

Upon arriving we were greeted by friendly bellman and the initial interaction at the check in desk was positive, but not 5 star service. We arrived at around 3:25pm, and check in time is listed for 3:00pm so we expected our room to be ready, and it was not because I had requested feather free, which they knew from the comment I made in the online booking. Our room was not ready for another 20 minutes.

Upon arriving to the room, I was shocked by the small size. I travel to NYC often for work, but this is certainly the smallest hotel room I’ve stayed in and is absolutely not worth the price tag. The room was also very dusty and there was dirt in the closet (which is a sad excuse for a closet), so my husband had to use the face towels to wipe down the dust and dirt in the very small closet so our clothes for my sisters wedding did not get dirty. The shower in the bathroom is poorly designed as water leaks out in many locations making the bathroom floor very wet. Furthermore, all of the applicants (handles, faucets, etc) are very poor quality.

Regarding the “closet”, in order to even hang a dinner jacket, we had to remove the safe and put it under the bed. And my dresses for my sisters wedding could not even fit in the closet without getting wrinkled because they can’t actually hang all the way (and for reference, I am 5’3”, so my dresses are certainly not that long).

I booked a city view king, and there is no skyline view from the room. The view is of an office building in the next block, and to see the city you have to go out onto the tiny balcony.

When is comes to sleeping, good luck if you aren’t a very heavy sleeper! There is music until rather early in the morning, I was on floor 7 and could hear it but it wasn’t as bad as some other reviews mention. The worst part is that the walls are seemingly made of cardboard as you can hear every footstep and conversation in the hallways as people are walking to their rooms. The bed feels very cheap, when my husband sits on the edge the whole thing squeaks, and when he lays and shifts his position, it squeaks again. The sheets on the bed are not soft, they are rather hard and scratchy feeling, once again, certainly not a 5 star experience in the room.

In summary, the hotel is nicely decorated and well located, but I would try a neighboring hotel rather than staying here. When I compare to other 5 star hotels I have stayed at (Ritz, Four Seasons, St Regis brands), I find it almost insulting that the Arlo Williamsburg thinks they are on par. This is a 3 star at best.

Update 4/5/24 in response to the Arlo response: I am still staying here, as is my family and my sister (whose wedding were here for), and many of her guests, and they all had similarly bad experiences. So if you want to make it right, as you stated, do something about it now while...

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Williamsburg Hotel during a trip to New York City, and overall, my experience was delightful. This boutique hotel perfectly captures the trendy and vibrant atmosphere of Williamsburg, offering a unique blend of style, comfort, and exceptional service.

From the moment I stepped into the lobby, I was greeted by a warm and inviting ambiance. The hotel's modern industrial design, with its exposed brick walls and sleek furnishings, exudes a sense of urban chic. The attention to detail in the decor was impressive, creating a visually striking environment throughout the property.

The room I stayed in was spacious and elegantly appointed, featuring contemporary amenities that added a touch of luxury to my stay. The comfortable bed provided a great night's sleep, and the high-quality linens added an extra layer of comfort. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered breathtaking views of the surrounding neighborhood, allowing me to soak in the vibrant energy of Williamsburg.

One of the standout features of the Williamsburg Hotel is its rooftop pool and bar. This rooftop oasis provided a serene escape from the bustling city below, allowing me to relax and unwind while sipping on a refreshing cocktail. The panoramic views of Manhattan were simply breathtaking, especially during sunset. It's worth noting that the rooftop can get quite busy, so finding a lounge chair may require some patience.

The hotel staff was friendly, accommodating, and always ready to assist with any request or inquiry. They were knowledgeable about the local area, offering excellent recommendations for nearby restaurants, bars, and attractions. The level of service I received during my stay truly enhanced my overall experience.

However, one minor drawback was the noise level in some areas of the hotel. Given its prime location in the heart of Williamsburg, it's not surprising that there is occasional street noise. While my room was relatively quiet, I did notice some disturbance in the lobby and communal spaces. However, this did not significantly impact my stay.

The Williamsburg Hotel's location is another major selling point. It's conveniently situated within walking distance of numerous restaurants, shops, and vibrant nightlife. Exploring the local scene was a breeze, and I enjoyed immersing myself in the trendy and artistic atmosphere of the neighborhood.

In conclusion, the Williamsburg Hotel offers a stylish and inviting retreat in the heart of one of New York City's most vibrant neighborhoods. With its modern design, comfortable rooms, and attentive staff, it provides an excellent base for exploring Williamsburg. While some minor noise issues were present, they were outweighed by the hotel's overall charm and top-notch service. I would gladly recommend this hotel to anyone seeking a chic and memorable...