Not everything great is limited to Manhattan. At the crossroads of some of Brooklyn’s coolest neighborhoods—Park Slope, Cobble Hill, and Fort Greene—the NU Hotel is the perfect base for embarking on urban safaris without pestering tourist hoards. This boutique hotel features bright, modern décor, expansive rooms, and an exquisite breakfast. If you are sensitive to noise, keep in mind that even soundproof windows don’t offer much protection against the cacophony of Atlantic Avenue. You’d be better off booking a room towards the rear of the hotel.