Hotel review: I spent a night at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge and loved the waterfront location, city views, and how my room embraced nature

When you live in New York, you often hit only a few select neighborhoods on a regular basis: where you work, where you eat, and where you sleep. So when I found myself spending the night at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, I was excited to check out an area I don't regularly find myself in.

Situated amid DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is incredibly picturesque. Flanked by a leafy green waterfront park and historic, well-preserved Brownstones, this area of Brooklyn conjures images of classic, charming New York.

Walking into the lobby felt like entering a hip new co-working space. Long desks with Instagram-approved decor? A wall of plants surrounding by additional hanging greenery? Soaring, exposed ceilings? Check, check, check.

In fact, I missed the front desk entirely, mistaking the concierge for it. Turned around, I waited in a short, but slow-moving, line to check-in when I arrived at 4 p.m. The line was so slow, I left and wandered around the lobby to eye the design closer, and snap a picture of the Brooklyn Bridge through giant windows.

When I returned, there were still people in front of me, but it was soon my turn and once at the front, check-in was a breeze.

The elevators were super fast and lined with beams of wood lit from behind. Had there been a bench, I would have thought I had taken a wrong turn and ended up in the hotel sauna.

The mission at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is not only in support of hospitality, but sustainability. The brand believes in giving everything a second life and reducing waste responsibly, right down to the room key. I was handed this token at check-in, with my room number texted to me instead of written inside an envelope. It's a great idea, though the key was a bit small and easy to misplace.

Inside my room, I found clothing hangers made from recycled paper, reclaimed barn wood, a shower timer to conserve water, and other eco-friendly products.

Despite being a smaller, standard room, I found my Dumbo King to be impressive. The floor-to-ceiling views of Manhattan and the East River were commanding, and the window opened (somewhat awkwardly, truth be told) to a small Juliet balcony that's really more for show than use, but was a cool feature.

My attention next turned to the room itself which somehow felt woodsy, raw, and modern all at once. Many of the design details came from local Brooklyn artisans and repurposed materials such as wood and steel. The neutral palette felt Scandinavian, and with the curtains drawn, I imagined I had escaped to a mountain treehouse.

A partition separated the bed from the bathroom, and my sleeping area also included plenty of storage and closet space (stocked with a yoga mat), minibar, a tap for unlimited filtered water (be gone plastic bottles), a flat-screen TV, and couch with small adjacent table that could function as a desk.

The bathroom was decidedly moodier with dark stone and marble. There was also a live plant atop the sink counter. All rooms here feature living plants, and I thought this played nicely into the theme of bringing nature indoors. Though, sharing the room with my fiance, I could have used the extra counter space, which felt slightly limited for two people.

The bathroom was sleek but with some caveats: the sink was separated from the bed only by a partition, meaning, when I got up to use the facilities in the middle of the night, the noise of running water carried. And that's not the only thing you'll hear. The toilet is made private by opaque glass but it's far from soundproof. In fact, noise seemed louder in there with an audible echo. Fortunately (or unfortunately), my fiance and I have encountered this many times in our travels together and weren't too fazed, but I could see it as potentially uncomfortable for less seasoned partners.

Similarly, the adjacent shower lacked the opaque walls of the toilet and was entirely see-through with no real separation from the bedroom. Sultry? Yes. Appropriate for anyone other than a couple or solo traveler? Not exactly.

Many people who stay at this hotel are on-site for weddings and events. I can't imagine getting ready while sharing the room with a family member or friend. I wasn't able to see other rooms, but I'd be curious to know how that layout differs from rooms to suites.

Privacy issues aside, the shower is stunning, with a rainfall effect and marble details. Rooms have shower timers to help conserve water, though I didn't see mine to utilize it.

Back to the views. The crown jewel of a hotel named for the Brooklyn Bridge are certainly views of its namesake, which upgraded rooms offer at an added cost. It would have been nice to see, but I did not feel that my views of just Manhattan were any kind of consolation prize.

Just be careful when the windows are open. From my room, I could easily see into others, including some suites with hanging hammocks (note to self: book that next time). This won't be an issue however with rooms overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge, as they're on the other side of the building.

Greenery extends beyond rooms and the lobby. Little nooks throughout the hotel are carefully curated, especially common spaces and restaurants.

The hotel has three food and drink options: The Osprey, a sit-down restaurant for modern American fare; Harriet's Rooftop and Lounge for cocktails and small bites, and Neighbors Cafe for breakfast, coffee, and pastries. I didn't get a chance to try The Osprey, but the menu looked delicious and I'm planning to go back soon, even without staying at the hotel.

I grabbed an excellent coffee, sourced from Australian brewer Bluestone Lane, at Neighbors, which was as minimal and sophisticated looking, as all cool coffee shops need to be. The rooftop was closed during my stay, but I'd also love to return to take advantage of the seasonal pool and take in the views.

There's also a small but functional 24-hour gym, outdoor space, places to sit and work, and a well-regarded spa.

The hotel sits right at an entrance to Brooklyn Bridge Park, a beautiful oasis of winding tree-lined paths for strolling, jogging, riding bikes, or simply savoring views of the city. It's a must when staying at the hotel, as is exploring neighboring DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights. Both are charming and filled with chic storefronts and restaurants.

The River Cafe is a short walk away, as are favorites like Cecconi's, Westville, Ample Hills Creamery, Shake Shack, Gran Electrica, Time Out Market New York, and, of course, the iconic Grimaldi's Pizza. I stayed on a Thursday night and walked by the famous pie shop and was shocked to see no line at all at prime time.

And, it should go without saying, but walk across the Brooklyn Bridge if you've never done it.

The 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge holds four-and-a-half out of five stars on Trip Advisor, ranking 9 out of 23 hotels in Brooklyn, and a score of 9.1 on Booking.com.

Guests love the eco-friendly atmosphere that they consider "calming" and "chic," as well as highly-praised service, incredible views, and the rooftop pool and restaurant.

Negative feedback cites high room prices, noise from the rooftop, ferries, and wedding events (I did hear noise bleed, but it was hard to tell whether it was the TV next door, or from a private function that was happening), and rooftop crowds in summer season.

Who stays here: Guests attending a wedding or on-site event, couples, business travelers, and New Yorkers on a staycation.

We like: The pretty hotel grounds and design, with an address overlooking Brooklyn Bridge Park.

We love (don't miss this feature!): A room with a view. The sights are hard to beat, but the room itself is equally lovely. In a city as nonstop as New York, the calming feel was much appreciated, and crawling into bed felt like a peaceful retreat.

We think you should know: The bathrooms offer little by way of privacy. It increasingly seems that the hallmark of a cool hotel means a bathroom leaving little to the imagination. That, combined with the sink near the bed, might not be for everyone. Consider an upgrade to help offset those challenges, if it's a source of concern. Additionally, ask for a quiet room or risk hearing party and ferry noise. But I wouldn't sacrifice a view for it; it's why people pay a premium to stay here, so make sure you're facing Manhattan if Brooklyn is too costly.

We'd do this differently next time: Book a suite or upgraded room, and in summer. I'd like to stay in a larger room with more bathroom space next time, and also be able to swim in the pool. A Brooklyn Bridge view would be cool to see, too.

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is a sanctuary for a relaxing, well-appointed stay. It can be pricey, but I felt better knowing that this wasn't a place of throwaway luxury. Rather, the hotel has made it their mission to support sustainable practices and help reduce waste.

And while booking a room won't come cheap, standard rooms are still generously sized and feel like an indulgence.

For those who love the feeling of nature, but also crave a high-end five-star hotel, look to 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. The views are incredible and staying here means you'll be steps to a gorgeous waterfront park, the Brooklyn Bridge, and enjoy easy access to Manhattan — and Grimaldi's Pizza.