Recently opened at the corner of Smith and Schermerhorn Streets straddling downtown and the Boerum Hill neighborhood, Hilton Brooklyn is the first full-service hotel of its caliber to open here. Situated in a former two-block-long rope onetime factory owned by industrialist Peter Schermerhorn supplying Brooklyn’s shipbuilding industry during the 19th century, Hilton Brooklyn occupies the first six floors of what is now a 19-story commercial, retail and condominium mixed-use redevelopment.
The interior's decor and architectural design reflect the building and neighborhood’s historic significance with exposed brick, vintage neighborhood photographs, carpeting patterned with the image of a massive rope running the full length of corridors, murals of period neighborhood maps lining the corridor walls, and imprints of the factory interior on custom-designed wallpaper in all guest rooms.
It has 196 standard rooms and suites, ranging from 315 to over 650 square feet, each furnished with a Signature Serenity Bed, an ergonomically designed workstation, strong WiFi, and plenty of outlets essential for recharging the pursuits of tourists and road warriors alike. Spa-grade baths feature rainfall showers while others include deep soaking tubs. Business-class perks continue with a round-the-clock fitness center, concierge, and Grab-and-Go pantry.
Helmed by celebrated local chef Rob Newton, onsite restaurant and bar Black Walnut presents a menu inspired by influences as diverse as Asian cookery, Deep South recipes, and Newton's own background as native Arkansan in addition to his years of global travel. Dishes like Pan Roasted Halibut with Forbidden Black Rice, Piquillo Pepper & Chickpea Panisse along with drinks like the Wilma Jean mixed with Rittenhouse Rye, Koval Honey Liqueur, Fennel and Lemon & Bitters give you a flavorful crosscut of Newton's culinary exposure.
Hilton Brooklyn's Knowledge Package includes passes to the Brooklyn Historical Society and Brooklyn Museum where you'll gain some additional insights into the history behind the borough's rise to pre-eminence. Once farmland named after the Boerums, a founding colonial-era Dutch family, Boerum Hill rapidly developed as the Industrial Revolution blossomed. Thanks to National Register of Historic Places designation in 1983, the neighborhood's characteristic mid-19th century, three-story Greek Revival and Italianate brownstones are now preserved for antiquity.
The Historical Society's extensive exhibits document Brooklyn's role in Black America's ongoing struggle for equality and examine the lives of the Mohawk tribal members, who undaunted by extreme heights, lived here from early- to mid-20th century building Manhattan’s iconic skyscrapers. The Brooklyn Museum reveals an extensive collection of Egyptian artifacts, European paintings, and African art reflecting providing glimpses into the origins of many immigrants who settled here.
Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored visit. Photos courtesy of Steve Mirsky and nycgo.com
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