Where to Stay in Brooklyn: The Funky Loft

During my recent trip to Manhattan for the NY Times Travel Show, I was invited to stay in the adorable and quirky Funky Loft space which is used as both an Airbnb rental and photoshoot location and has already caught the attention of brands like Vogue, J Brand and Grey Goose. If you’re curious where to stay in Brooklyn during your next visit, The Funky Loft is a great option — it’s both super affordable compared to pricey New York hotels and it packs a punch of character. Read on for all the deets.

You’ve probably already gathered this much from the photos, but the loft’s atmosphere takes after its moniker to a tee. There are retro knicksacks lining the mustard yellow bathroom walls, a set of vintage lockers by the entryway for guests to store their coats and shoes, a vintage Coca Cola refrigerator and a slew of kitchen accessories that would seem ideal to prop out a movie set in the 50s.

Oh, and there’s a swing right in the middle of the living room. Yup, dreams do come true.

The loft’s owner, Marcella, who was also an Airbnb host back in Los Angeles, told me that she has been gathering vintage treasures and scouring flea markets literally since her teens, well before she had a home to call her own.

Upon stepping foot inside the hidden Bushwick address, you can immediately tell that The Funky Loft is a beautiful gathering of well-loved items she’s collected — and cherished — over the years. And her excitement to share her passion for collecting and decorating with each new person that visits her home is palpable.

Even beyond the carefully curated space, Marcella ups the charming Brooklyn atmosphere with a rotating selection of tunes from Marvin Gaye, Stevie Nicks and other classic oldies that had me singing along each day. Stepping into The Funky Loft is truly like stepping into another world, and if you’re looking for a unique place to stay in Brooklyn, The Funky Loft is your answer.

Here are some further details to help you decide if you should base yourself in The Funky Loft during your New York stay:

Fun Facts

• The concept for The Funky Loft originally started in Los Angeles where host Marcella was born and raised, and she brought the idea of the loft with her when she moved to Bushwick in 2017
• The building was built in the 1920s and still has some of the original brick walls, although Marcella renovated the space in order to create the three guest rooms and host room
• All spaces in The Funky Loft including the loft bedroom upstairs (where Marcella and her partner Antonio live) are available to book for photoshoots
• Marcella and Antonio are both well travelled and welcome newcomers from all over the world into their space

Practical Details

• There are three guest rooms total and one shared bathroom
• It takes about 30-45 minutes by train to get into any neighborhood of Manhattan, depending on your destination
• A basic breakfast of cereal, toast, jam, oatmeal and coffees/teas is included in your stay
• Marcella provides a guidebook at the loft that can assist you in finding the best local spots to drink and dine in the neighborhood
• Rooms are private, but the space is shared so this isn’t a place to be loud and rowdy, host a party, etc
• There is communal space in the fridge if you’d like to save money by cooking at home
• The Funky Loft feels very safe and secure, but do note that the bedrooms don’t have locks, so if this is an issue for you think about bringing your own PacSafe or other similar device for keeping valuables locked up
• The hosts book the loft space as a photoshoot location, so make sure to inquire about the dates of your visit as sometimes guests need to be out of the loft at certain times on photoshoot days
• Try to book the Tropical Getaway or Room With a View if possible as these two rooms have much more space than the Backpacker’s Dream

Ready to book your room at The Funky Loft? Visit their site here to book.

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Live Like It’s the Weekend was graciously invited as a guest of The Funky Loft, but as always, all my opinions are my own and I would never promote anything I don’t freaking love. 

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