Ten years ago, I spent a summer in New York City, living out my dream of working at a magazine. I was in college, and my best friend and I managed to find two month-long sublets in Williamsburg — which, at that time, was the coolest place we could imagine. There were dark, moody restaurants and rooftop bars and a newly opened Whole Foods. I took the J train every morning to work and felt like adulthood was really starting.

It was a wonderful summer, which is why I still have a soft spot in my heart for Williamsburg. A short train (or ferry) ride into Manhattan, the area still boasts very cool restaurants and bars, and it offers a slower pace that, in my 30s, feels much more suited to my lifestyle than Manhattan proper.

As a frequent traveler to New York from the West Coast, I used to try to maximize my work trips by staying in Midtown. But I found that these hotels are often crowded, expensive, and not very nice, given they're overrun with tourists. So I set out to find a hotel that felt impossible by New York standards: affordable, spacious, and well-located. And I'm excited to report that I've discovered a hidden gem: The Penny Hotel in Williamsburg.

Without further ado, here are all the reasons you should stay there on your next trip to the Big Apple.

About The Penny Hotel Williamsburg

• Queen rooms come equipped with a queen-sized bed, a kitchenette with a microwave, mini fridge, and pour-over coffee setup, and a sizable bathroom.
• The hotel also offers Queen Sleeper rooms, Supreme Queen rooms, and the Your Majesty suite.
• When I stayed at The Penny in August, rates started at about $230 for a Queen room, but prices vary depending on demand.
• ElNico [1], a rooftop bar and restaurant on the top floor, serves Mexican fare.
• The hotel partners with local nonprofit LAND Gallery to feature artwork by New Yorkers with developmental disabilities across its rooms and common spaces.

What I Liked About The Penny Hotel

I was immediately taken by the property when I showed up at 6 a.m. after a redeye, bleary-eyed and probably smelly, and the front desk managed to get me into a room despite my showing up several hours before check-in.

But it wasn't just that: the entire property allowed me to actually exhale, even though NYC usually makes me feeling on edge. Its common areas (including a patio and a rooftop) are tastefully decorated with local art, and I was so surprised at the size and capabilities of my room when I opened its doors: it boasted a whole kitchenette, lots of space to spread out, and a colorful robe that I immediately changed into.

One of my gripes with staying in cramped Manhattan hotels is that there's virtually no room to hang out, whether that's getting some work done or chowing down on takeout. That's not the case at The Penny, where I cooked myself breakfast every morning, making delicious cups of coffee they provided with the room's high quality Fellow kettle and pour-over set-up. The entire room is outfitted with these delightful touches; there was also a colorful yoga mat and roller that allowed me to stay active throughout my stay there.

My younger self would absolutely approve of the location, which is just a two-block walk from the L train, which takes you directly downtown. I actually don't find that staying in Williamsburg makes travel any less convenient, even if most of my work events are in Manhattan. You are 15 minutes from the heart of the city, and yet you get all the benefits from being located a bit outside the fray. What's more, this hotel is significantly cheaper than its Manhattan counterparts; you pay "budget" prices for somewhere that feels far more elevated than your typical Manhattan hotel.

And it should be said that Williamsburg is worthy of a trip in and of itself — one of my favorite restaurants in all of NYC, Lilia [2], is right around the corner from The Penny. I also spent an entire afternoon working out of the restaurant's rooftop restaurant, elNico [3], enjoying the panoramic views of Brooklyn and Manhattan. I'll say that the entire building feels quiet and chill; the staff is friendly but not overly intrusive, making it feel like more like an apartment building than a stuffy hotel.

I've now been back to The Penny twice, and every time, I feel like I'm coming home. You'll never catch me squeezing into a Midtown hotel again.

Who Is The Penny Hotel Best For?

The Penny Hotel is perfect for any traveler to New York who appreciates efficiency, more space in their hotel rooms, and a very well-designed space. I've recommended it to all my friends who are looking for an affordable option in New York.

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