"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe?Housed in a low-slung, nondescript brick building in east London, the Hoxton Shoreditch is a boutique, high-design hotel with beautiful bar and restaurant spaces on the ground level as you enter. Hip young professionals, freelance or otherwise, choose the lobby as a place to work and conduct meetings. The space has all the energy of a coworking space, as guests may frequently collaborate together. What's the backstory?The Hoxton Shoreditch is the first of a boutique chain of hotels now operating throughout Europe and the United States. The hotel first launched in 2006, just as the trendy neighborhood of Shoreditch was beginning to emerge as a hot spot of London. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book?The rooms at the Hoxton Shoreditch are small, yet cozy, with chic herringbone wood floors and dramatic dark walls. Rooms do provide everything you need for a night, with a minimal amount of room. The Hoxton even refers to their smallest room as "shoebox;" however, the design of the rooms and amenities offered—such as free breakfast—may make you forget about the lack of space. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi?No charge for the excellent wifi. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at?The Hoxton Grill is open from breakfast until dinner serving elevated American diner classics. Breakfast is delivered to your door every morning based on selections made the night before and hung outside your door. And the service?Every employee at the Hoxton Shoreditch is eager to please and seems to love being at the hotel. The Hoxton doesn’t have a traditional concierge, but the staff are very knowledgeable about the area and can give guest tips on where to go nearby. What type of travelers will you find here?Members of the freelance tribe do not keep the same hours as members of other tribes, preferring to work on their own schedule. They may or may not be dressed for business, even if they’re hosting meetings at the hotel all day long. They might even be having an early drink (or two) while still finishing up work. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene?Shoreditch has been one of London’s biggest up and coming neighborhoods over the past decade and a half, bringing with it artists and other creative types, to which the Hoxton has always catered. Stay here if you don’t want to feel as if you’re staying in the middle of the business district, and prefer more of a scene in the evenings. Any other hotel features worth noting?The Hoxton features many event spaces of various sizes, from a smaller library room to a space for up to 250 people. The Hoxton does not have a spa or gym. Bottom line: Worth it? Why?Yes, if you don’t mind a small room. Perfect for solo business travelers that like to have fun." - Laura Ratliff
