Ace Hotel Brooklyn vs. NU Hotel Brooklyn: Best Downtown Brooklyn Stay

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Ace Hotel Brooklyn vs. NU Hotel Brooklyn: Best Downtown Brooklyn Stay

Ace Hotel Brooklyn vs. NU Hotel Brooklyn: compare design, location, subway access and 2026 nightly rates in Downtown Brooklyn.

By Matthew S Crawford Β· Published October 23, 2026

Quick answer

Downtown Brooklyn has become a practical place to stay, with excellent subway access and lower prices than Manhattan. Two hotels stand out.

Overview: Ace Hotel Brooklyn vs. NU Hotel Brooklyn

Downtown Brooklyn has become a practical place to stay, with excellent subway access and lower prices than Manhattan. Two hotels stand out. The Ace Hotel Brooklyn is at 252 Schermerhorn Street, at Hoyt Street. The NU Hotel Brooklyn is at 85 Smith Street, between Atlantic Avenue and State Street, in Boerum Hill. The NU usually costs about $195.

Historic commercial buildings and brownstone blocks in Downtown Brooklyn near Fulton Street and Boerum Hill β€” Ace Hotel Brooklyn vs. NU Hotel Brooklyn
Historic commercial buildings and brownstone blocks in Downtown Brooklyn near Fulton Street and Boerum Hill, a key landmark for Location and Neighborhood.

Location and Neighborhood

The Ace sits on the edge of Downtown Brooklyn, near Fulton Mall, Brooklyn Borough Hall and the Fort Greene neighborhood. The area has become busier in recent years, with new buildings, restaurants and shops. The NU sits on Smith Street, a popular restaurant row in Boerum Hill, a short walk from Cobble Hill and Brooklyn.

Getting Around by Subway

For the Ace, the A, C and G at Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets are a short walk, and the 2, 3, 4 and 5 at Nevins Street are close. The B, Q and R at Dekalb Avenue are also within reach. For the NU, the F and G at Bergen Street and the 2, 3, 4, 5.

Rooms and Design

The Ace has a stylish, creative design, with a mix of vintage furniture, art and modern touches. Rooms vary in size, from compact to roomy, and many are bright and comfortable. The NU is a smaller boutique-style hotel with a simple, modern look, and its rooms tend to be compact and practical. If you want.

Aerial view of Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights and the East River bridges leading into Manhattan β€” Ace Hotel Brooklyn vs. NU Hotel Brooklyn
Aerial view of Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights and the East River bridges leading into Manhattan, a key landmark for Rooms and Design.

Food and Drink

The Ace has a lively lobby, a bar and restaurants that draw locals as well as guests, though specific venues and hours change. The NU has a more modest food setup, but Smith Street outside is full of restaurants, cafes and bars within a few blocks. Both neighborhoods offer a wide range of cuisines, from.

Service and Amenities

Service at both hotels is friendly and informal. The Ace has a creative, social atmosphere, with events and a busy lobby. The NU is quieter and more private, with a calm lobby and a smaller staff. Fitness rooms and lounges vary, so confirm amenities before you book. If you want a quiet stay, ask for.

Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront promenade in DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights overlooking Lower Manhattan β€” Ace Hotel Brooklyn vs. NU Hotel Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront promenade in DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights overlooking Lower Manhattan, a key landmark for Service and Amenities.

Who Should Book Which

The Ace suits travelers who like a social, design-led hotel and want to be close to Fort Greene, Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. It works well for couples, concertgoers and creative visitors. The NU suits travelers who want a lower price, a quieter neighborhood and walkable access to restaurants on Smith Street.

Nearby Sights and What to Do

From the Ace, you can walk to Brooklyn Borough Hall, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Fort Greene Park and Barclays Center. From the NU, you can walk to Smith Street’s restaurants, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights and the Promenade. Both are about a twenty-minute walk or short ride from the Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO. Fort Greene.

Prices and Booking Tips

Plan on about $320 to $480 a night at the Ace, with higher rates on event nights at Barclays Center, and about $195 to $295 at the NU in typical weeks. Compare the final price after taxes and fees, and book a refundable rate first. Check each hotel’s website for direct-booking offers. Prices in Downtown.

Getting From the Airport

From JFK, take the AirTrain to Howard Beach–JFK Airport and then the A train to Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets, which is the easiest route to the Ace. From LaGuardia, a taxi or rideshare takes about 30 to 40 minutes. From Newark, take NJ Transit to Penn Station and then the A or C train to Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets.

Seasons and Timing

Downtown Brooklyn is comfortable in spring and fall, when Fort Greene Park and the Promenade are at their best. Summer brings events and concerts, and event nights at Barclays Center can raise prices sharply. Winter is quiet and cheaper. Quiet weeks in January and February bring the lowest rates, and midweek is cheaper than weekends.

Questions Guests Ask

Guests often ask if Downtown Brooklyn is far from Manhattan. It is only a few subway stops from Lower Manhattan, and many lines run through the area. They also ask about noise. Ask for a higher floor away from the street. Confirm check-in times, luggage storage and any facility fees before you arrive.

Mistakes to Avoid

Do not book without checking the arena calendar, since concert nights change the neighborhood. Do not assume the two hotels are the same.

Which One Should You Book?

Choose the Ace if you want a stylish, social hotel with a strong lobby scene and easy access to Fort Greene and Barclays Center. Choose the NU if you want a lower price, a quieter feel and a base near Smith Street’s restaurants. Both are good ways to stay in Brooklyn with fast subway access.

Common questions

What should visitors know about Location and Neighborhood?

The Ace sits on the edge of Downtown Brooklyn, near Fulton Mall, Brooklyn Borough Hall and the Fort Greene neighborhood. The area has become busier in recent years, with new buildings, restaurants and shops.

What should visitors know about Rooms and Design?

The Ace has a stylish, creative design, with a mix of vintage furniture, art and modern touches. Rooms vary in size, from compact to roomy, and many are bright and comfortable.

What should visitors know about Service and Amenities?

Service at both hotels is friendly and informal. The Ace has a creative, social atmosphere, with events and a busy lobby.

What taxes, fees and transit tips apply when booking for Ace Hotel Brooklyn vs. NU Hotel Brooklyn?

New York City hotel stays carry a 14.75% combined occupancy and sales tax plus $3.50 per room per night in statutory fees, and many Manhattan and Brooklyn properties add a $25 to $55 nightly destination fee. Use OMNY contactless tap-to-pay ($2.90 per ride) on nearby MTA subways and buses to compare door-to-door travel times before locking in a non-refundable rate.

Keep reading

Where to Stay in Brooklyn & Williamsburg: Neighborhood Guide Β· NYC Hotels with a View: Rooftop Bars and Skyline Rooms Β· Downtown Brooklyn Hotels: A Practical Base for NYC Β· Hotels Near Brooklyn Law School at 250 Joralemon St in Downtown Brooklyn Β· DUMBO Hotels in Brooklyn: Where to Stay Near Brooklyn Bridge Park Β· Hotels Near the Brooklyn Navy Yard on Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn

About the author. Matthew S Crawford grew up on Long Island, in Massapequa and then Deer Park. He runs NYCHotelss, an independent NYC hotel guide. Details change. Check rates, hours and policies before you book.
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