This was by far the worst hotel we have ever stayed at. My husband and I were visiting our family in Brooklyn, New York and came across the Howard Johnson. The value seemed to be great and the pictures of the room on the company website were very nice. We had high hopes! When we arrived at the hotel we encountered rude employees. The elevator is big enough for 2 people and one luggage cart to fit in very tightly. The rooms look a lot bigger on the website than what they are. The rooms are so small that there is furniture from wall to wall with no space. You have to turn sideways to walk to the bathroom. There is not a closet and no where to put your luggage. The parking is free but there are not many spaces. When arriving to the hotel late at night the hotel staff was behind the desk sleep leaving room for anyone to just walk in and out of the hotel. It took 3 hours to get extra towels delivered to our room and the maid staff was vacuuming the floor at 8:30 at night.

It’s amazing that Brooklyn is the FIFTH Largest city in the US and yet has less than TEN Chain hotels! Hard to believe!

We needed a hotel for an event in Bklyn this weekend and – with the Marathon going on in New York City – the Expensive Marriott was full. Prices for the 2 star Days Inn – which got some pretty poor reviews – were over $150. So I searched and found this HoJo which has only been open five months.

We were able to get a $125.99 AARP rate (plus taxes you are up to $145.00 or so) and so we grabbed it.

It served our purposes but there are a few caveats.

The hotel sits on a major street among lumber yards, Car Repair Shops, hair braiding places and fast food restaurants. There is free outside parking in the rear for about 12 cars and 6 spaces in front. With 70 rooms, not everyone will always find parking. The hotel is 5 floors and we were on floor 3. I asked for the rear because of the traffic and – at night it was quiet – though in the afternoon we heard music blasting from a block away.

The room was large for NY and the bathroom almost as large. The TV gets LOTS of cable stations but NO the Food Network or HGTV (we enjoy that when we travel). There is an in room coffee maker and a closet. The windows do open to allow air and there is heat/ac unit. A few odd things like the fact that the sprinkler for fire had tape all over it and certainly wouldn’t work if needed. The smoke alarm –or something like that – in the hall needed a battery I guess. Every 5 minutes there was a loud beep. I informed the desk but I assume maintenance is off on weekends.

Now the walls are thin and the doors not insulated (the hall light leaks through). So if you are a light sleeper you will probably hear anyone in the all. And Don’t choose the lobby floor rooms (100#s) as they are right off the lobby and will be noisy.

There is a nice little breakfast room and continental Bkfst served 7-11am. Includes cereals, frest fruit, juice, coffee and waffles or bagels or toast for the toaster. Also a microwave. Definitely nice and well maintained by the male staff person who was also friendly and continued to clean up.

There is an exercise room but I didn’t check it out.

Dunkin Donuts across the Street is convenient and the Wendy’s a block away was spotless and well run.

Anywhere else in the country this hotel room would be priced at $69.00 tops but we’re in Brooklyn here. It’s a city with very few hotels.

We’ll probably use again but only if we HAVE to stay in Bklyn.

Steve

This hotel is new...hence very, very clean. The room had a very comfortable bed which, after a tiring day travelling around NY was very welcoming. The staff were extremely friendly and the room had en-suite....something which seems either non-existant, or costs a bomb in Manhattan! The subway is only six blocks away + the local transport to the subway (taxi or bus) was effortless...ask hotel staff for details.
The subway takes you into the heart of Manhattan.
Breakfast was included which covered a wide range of buffet style choices.
My hubby & I would not only recommend this hotel .. if travelling to the Big Apple again, this would be our hotel of choice.

stay 8/31/06-9/5/06.
I booked long before the hotel was actually open got a pre-sale rate of $89 per night. When I stay in Brooklyn I normally stay at the Brooklyn Marriott; but the rates were outrageous. We took a chance with the Hojo and were pleasantly surprised. We went for West Indian Day Carnival. The hotel is brand new; it had been open for only 3 months before we arrived. It is located right in the center of Flatbush; since we were there for carnival it couldn't have been more convient for us. The first night we had a king room that was a fairly descent size; we switched rooms to a double queen room. Since it is fairly new it is quite clean.I had a friend that is originally from Flatbush come to NY at the last minute to join up with us ,but was turned away as they were completely sold out. I've sold her on the place. I will return again, and again, and again.