A haven in the capital
O pened in 2006 by Sinclair Beecham, co-founder of Pret A Manger, the handmade natural food company, this bright and breezy 205-bedroom hotel describes itself as "the first up-market, low-cost, high-quality, no fuss, value for money hotel in town, if not the country".
How do you get there? Jump on a train to Paddington, take a ride on the Tube to Kings Cross (on the Circle Line) then swap to the Northern Line and ride on to Old Street. Leave the station at Exit 3 and walk along Old Street on to Great Eastern Street for three minutes or so. You'll find the Hoxton on your right. If you happen to travel on a Sunday take a good book – engineering work and leaves on the line delayed my journey by a couple of hours, and involved a bus to Swindon.
First impressions: On a bleak and blustery Sunday afternoon The Hoxton app- eared like a warm, bright oasis in a desert of grey. Real log fires, a big, leather-chaired lobby area and a buzzing bar and bistro area made an immediate impression. The reception desk is staffed by attractive, enthusiastic staff who welcome you, "process you", and give you a concise, clear briefing about the hotel's services. Friendly, efficient, intelligent – it's a pleasure to arrive. Then hit the lift for the room.
What are the rooms like? Mine was small, yet perfectly formed. A comfortable bed dressed in fresh, white cotton sheets, duck-down quilt and five huge pillows dominates the scene. There's a desk, lamps, a settee, wardrobe with safe, fridge with fresh milk and mineral water, and lots of hanging space. Then there's the desk – a neatly designed area that incorporates your tea (traditional and mint) and coffee (real stuff and caffeine-less), kettle, cups and glasses; lighting, power points and THE DRAWER. Nice touch, this, it's left open – and has special sections for a corkscrew, TV handset, hair-dryer, a pencil and the Hox Guide (see below)… Above it, sits a TV that can be angled to suit your needs. Should you need it, the window opens (mine on to a miserable back street) and there's individually controll- ed air-conditioning and heat- ing. I felt comfortable the moment I walked in. The bathroom features head-to-toe shiny tiles, pristine towels, free Aveda toiletries and a "take me home, please" block of Pears soap.
What else can you do? The hotel has six meeting rooms that come with free printing and faxing. There's free wi-fi throughout the hotel, and national and local phone calls cost just 3p per minute (and it's only 5p per minute to the US). If you are feeling energetic, £5 buys you a day's membership at Market Sports, a 400-metre jog from the hotel, where you will find a gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam rooms.
What's on the menu? Breakfast is free – and delivered in a brown paper bag on to a hook outside your room. You are asked to write your requirements on the bag – the number of people in your room, the time you want your food delivering. It's a light, healthy affair – banana, yoghurt and orange juice – you can make a cuppa yourself. If you need or want more, nip down to the Grille and grab a bacon butty (£4), or a full English at just £8.50. The Grille is open for lunch and dinner and serves something for everyone, including burgers, salads and steak and chips.
What else is there to see and do in the area? The aforementioned Hox Guide recommends dozens of places to visit within easy reach where you can eat, drink, be merry, entertained, groomed and dressed. There are more than 70 places to visit, and an assurance that none has made "dodgy backhanders" to be included. Hoxton custom- ers are invited to make suggestions to keep the list up to date.
Any gripes: I thought long and hard about this, but, no.
How much does it cost? And this is a big reason why the Hoxton is so hot – rooms cost from £57.74 (billed as "our catchy new rate since the VAT change"). They can cost much more (up to £119), but they are sometimes offered as low as £1.
The verdict: I'm a fan, 10 out of 10 – the owners have got it just right. And the good news is that they are rumoured to be looking at Bristol for their next venture.
STEPHEN WHITE
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