The Hoxton, Charlottenburg
"Why book? The Hoxton brings their playful, hip, and inviting brand to Germany for the very first time at this delightful West Berlin hotel. Set the scene From the outside, the circa-1970s building housing the Hoxton doesn’t look like anything special. But step into the oversized lobby chock-full of comfy places to sit (with your choice of chairs and sectionals arranged around tables of various shapes and sizes, along with one long communal co-working table) and whimsical lighting fixtures, and you see why the young (and young at heart) crowd could spend all day here. When the mood strikes for a drink, the sophisticated bar lies right behind the lobby, separated by staggered shelves displaying artfully arranged vases, jars, books, and other design knickknacks. And since the Hoxton also has its own coffee shop (technically a teahouse) and Indian restaurant, it’s truly a place that invites lingering. The backstory The Hoxton hotel brand is known as one of the pioneers of appealing public spaces that attract a whole legion of fans—hotel guests and neighborhood denizens alike—to become part of their welcoming community. Hoxton came to life in 2006, with the first hotel in the East London neighborhood of Shoreditch followed by a second in Central London’s Holborn. From there, they expanded across cool cities and neighborhoods in Europe and then the U.S. (Full disclosure: I’ve had the pleasure of staying in a large number of the Hoxtons in Europe. I’m a fan!) Hoxton, Charlottenburg marks their first hotel in Germany and their 15th overall. This particular branch was inspired by West Berlin’s 1920s Art Nouveau architecture, along with touches of Bauhaus and Brutalism. Some of the furniture was created especially for the hotel, while other pieces were scoured from European flea markets. The result: A space that reflects the design elements of West Berlin while remaining true to the Hoxton brand as a whole. The rooms Each of the 234 guest rooms has a similar look, with scalloped headboards in muted pink and green, speckled terrazzo side tables, Art Nouveau lamps, and hardwood floors. Each also comes with practical accoutrements: a small desk or table and a wardrobe with space to hang your clothes, a kettle, and a mini-fridge. Tiled bathrooms include walk-in showers and signature Blank products. The rooms simply differ from each other in terms of size—though, as with most Hoxtons, all tend toward the compact. The smallest, aptly named the Shoebox, only fits a single bed and a small desk, while the largest, Biggy Up, has a queen-sized bed and large windows. I’d recommend the in-between size, the Roomy, which doesn’t feel as tight but is more affordable than the Roomy—perfect for having a comfy place to crash your head after spending time exploring the town. Food and drink Good Indian food can be hard to find in this city, so the House of Tandoor is a welcome addition to Berlin’s food scene. Open for lunch and dinner, it’s housed in a pretty space with mosaic floor tiles and an open kitchen with three traditional clay (tandoor) ovens. Of course, the tandoor dishes are the things to try—in particular, the crispy lamb chops, tender chicken, and masala cauliflower, served with yogurt and pomegranate—but also don’t overlook the biryani and the Old Delhi butter chicken plus the naans from the tandoor, including a decadent bone marrow version. You walk through the Teahouse to reach the restaurant, and it’s worth a stop on its own for a snack or drink (alcoholic or non); from breakfast on, they serve up Indian-inflected pastries, naan sandwiches, chai tea, and tasty tea-based cocktails, including a cream tea milk punch with masala chai, Bacardi, Calvados, strawberry, and cream and a non-alcoholic pistachio lassi. The Hoxton’s main bar is also a vibrant spot to enjoy a cocktail created by its international team of mixologists. Their list includes signature drinks devised at Hoxtons around the globe. The spa There’s no gym or spa here. But the hotel does have e-bikes on offer to use around the neighborhood or to take to nearby Tiergarten. The neighborhood/area The Hoxton, Charlottenburg is in a fabulous position for exploring West Berlin. It’s less than a block from the west’s main shopping street, Kurfürstendamm (affectionately known as Ku’damm), and Berlin’s best department store, KaDaWe, is just a short stroll to the east; don’t miss their fabulous food hall (I’d highly recommend their champagne and oysters!) as well as their frequent designer sales. Concept mall Bikini Berlin is also just a 10-minute walk north. Fasanenstrasse, one block west, is home to several galleries and the charming Café im Literaturhaus, perfect for a light lunch in their courtyard. Speaking of literature, just a block south you’ll find Haus der Berliner Festspiele, which hosts the annual International Literature Festival, as well as other theater, music, and dance events throughout the year. For more outdoorsy pursuits, the southern end of Tiergarten, home to the zoo and aquarium, is also close by. The service Friendly and fun. Staff (and guests) are invited to share their favorite local finds on the “Take Away Tips Board” near the elevators, everything from the best breakfast in the neighborhood to the most delicious chicken sandwich. Since each and every suggestion is personally vetted, you feel a nice sense of kinship both with the helpful staff and the other guests. The hotel also holds regular events for guests, from monthly book clubs to wine tastings to local art openings in their in-house Hox Gallery. For families The hotel is perfectly suited to families—if you select a large enough room. As long as they can fit, baby cots and children’s beds are available for free. The Hoxton also offers a “Tiny Hox” stay. If you tell them when you book that you’re bringing a child, the hotel will provide special bath products for kids, coloring books, and a free Little’uns Breakfast Bag delivered to your door in the morning. Eco effort The hotel makes an effort to use no single-use plastic. Housekeeping isn’t provided unless specifically asked for, which reduces the use of cleaning products and detergents. Accessibility The Hoxton, Charlottenburg meets accessibility standards, with an accessible route from the entrance, elevators that reach all floors, and guest rooms with code-compliant wide doorways. Roll-in showers are also available. Anything left to mention? The west may not be thought of as the coolest part of Berlin, but the Hoxton gives you a taste of what makes this area special in its own right." - Liz Humphreys
