When staying in Shoreditch, only The Hoxton will do in terms of its placement but also its ability to fit the vibe of its surroundings so perfectly. The Hoxton opened its doors back in 2006 by former Pret A Manger entrepreneur, Sinclair Beecham, the rooms were modelled on no frills airline rates. However fast forward a decade and the hotel has got taller, had a major refurb in 2014, to bring it back into the East London game of this classic but uber cool neighbourhood.
Prior to my London staycation, I was asked where I’d be staying and with the mention of The Hoxton, there was excitement and a squeal of ‘you chose the right place’ so this was a stay that was very much anticipated!
LOCATION
This is the first and original Hoxton hotel, opening prior to its counterparts in Holborn, Paris, Amsterdam and across the pond in the States. The Hoxton, Shoreditch is surrounded by an array of amazing restaurants, bars and coffee shops, nightlife and boutiques. I arrived into St Pancras and took the Northern line straight to Old Street, and then a five minute walk to the Hoxton. Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane are both a very short walk away.#
HOXTON STYLE
As you walk in through the glass fronted automatic doors, you are surrounded by style, character and a hip cool vibe. Right in front of you is an inviting long leather sofa surrounded by bookcases and to both sides there are huge fireplaces with comfy squishy leather sofas and chairs making for a cosy, homely and super stylish space with open brickwork, tall lamps, two stunning glamorous illuminated light features and a plethora of mac book, ipad, diners and cocktail drinkers constituting the communal space.
The Hoxton Grill is very much the main focus with the red illuminated sign, red leather banquettes and booths of the restaurant standing out as well as the bar, the coffee lounge and the cake and coffee shop. The restaurant also features a bright and airy conservatory.
The reception desk is made from old fashioned drawers and there are plenty of retro black telephones dotted around, with low lighting, a large curved metal bookcase and concrete floors give it an industrial, warehouse feel. Opposite the reception, is a little photo booth, should you wish to capture some fun snaps and just to add there’s WIFI all over the hotel. It’s pretty good too!
HOXTON APARTMENT
The ground floor also houses a number of meeting rooms / library as well an apartment style room great for hosting breakfast meetings or all day meetings for that matter. It comes with a fully equipped kitchen, lounge area and huge dining table to gather around for a more relaxed environment.
ROOMS
Rooms are split over 6 floors and comprise of just over 200 and come in with the following categories, The Shoebox, The Cosy Room, The Roomy and Concept Rooms.
We stayed in the Cosy Room, which was more than adequate for a 2 night city break. All rooms feature parquet flooring, a big brown leather chair, a wooden shelving and desk combo holding a television, tumblers, prosecco glasses, hairdryer, kettle, selection of teas and coffees.
There are black out blinds and plush curtains to ensure a decent nights sleep. A Huge comfy bed lies in the middle of the room under a geometric rug. The linen is white and crisp with two natural covered waffle material covered cushions for dressing. The bed is given a transformation by the teal coloured chevron headboard. Team this with adequate mood lighting in the room and a big circular, port-hole mirror adorning the wall along one side of the room. The wardrobe is exposed and in keeping with the style and removable hangers make it easy to hang up your glad rags!
The mini bar consists of water and milk, which are complimentary and the rest is left to you to fill at your hearts content, with the location of a string of shops in the vicinity. The Hoxton calls it the no-rip off bar!
The bathroom features black tiles, frosted glass doors and a walk-in rain shower, with toiletries by Black & Ink in large pump dispensers, but bring along your own body lotion!
There’s even an ice room and an ironing room on the sixth floor should you need the facilities.
BREAKFAST
Each night complete a little card to say you’d like a little breakfast brought to your room, specifying the time. Voila, as if by magic, a knock at the door at your said hour will mean the fairies have delivered on a hook outside your room, a paper bag containing yoghurt, orange juice and a banana to accompany your morning brew, if you fancy putting the kettle on that is!
THE HOXTON GRILL
If you fancy something more substantial at any time of the day, head down to the Grill stock restaurant and choose yourself a breakfast as big as you like from the Grill stock menu.
I arrived at breakfast way too early to check in so I treated myself to a Vegetarian breakfast with a Recovery Botanical House Press, containing moringa, ginger, kiwi, lemongrass, pineapple, cucumber and lime. The perfect cooler to prepare me for a day of exploring East London.
Additionally, the restaurant is open all day and my recommendations for a quick lunch would be the macaroni cheese with jalapenos!
The bar is also pretty cool (well of course it is, we’re in Shoreditch!) to grab a cocktail or two or you could try the coffee lounge counter and dabble in a sweet treat! The coffees are pretty mean fresh brews!
As mentioned previously, there’s a little conservatory area beaming with light compared to the low light of the surrounding décor and makes a lovely bright breakfast spot.
A FEW EXTRAS
Just to mention, the hotel is family friendly, with interconnecting rooms and cots, the ground floor is fully accessible for wheelchair users. Additionally there are 11 adapted rooms with visual fire alarms and vibrating pillows for hearing-impaired guests!
There’s obviously no pool or gym facilities but who cares, I was there on leisure and if you enquire at the hotel reception, they can help you with getting a day pass at one of the gyms nearby.
During the evenings, the low lit lighting gets lower, the music gets louder and on the Friday night during my stay, there was a DJ spinning the decks with the hip crowd swilling cocktails, letting their hair down after along week, perching on the sofas giving the lobby that almost club feel, which I’ve never experienced in a hotel setting before. A place with the ‘oh so must be seen in’ social hub!
THE HOXTON SHOREDITCH IMPRESSIONS
Well, what about my much anticipated stay? I loved it! Period! My kinda hotel. Relaxed atmosphere and everything you could need from a hotel well equipped for business or leisure
Would I stay again, Erm… lets see, no brainer, hell yeah! I love Shoreditch and The Hotel is very much just an extension of the area and has a perfect location where other businesses have nestled in beside it. It’s modish, current and I’m not just talking its style over substance. It came up with the goods! Reasonable rates mean you get great value for money with no compromise on the important things! Get your stay booked soon!!
So hands up who’s a fan of The Hoxton Hotels? Let me know your thoughts on this uber cool abode below!
The Hoxton Shoreditch
81 Great Eastern Street
London
EC2A 3HU
Tel. 020 7550 1000
Reservations can be made via The Hoxton’s website
À Bientôt…
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