The Hoxton, Shoreditch

The original Hoxton, now the flagship of a quickly blossoming boutique-hotel mini-chain, makes its home in the neighborhood of the same name — Hoxton is a subset of Shoreditch, the East London district that’s been the city’s de facto cultural center for something like a decade now. And when it opened, the Hoxton Shoreditch’s intentionally unpolished design aesthetic and its low-frills, low-maintenance concept cut very much against the grain — turns out, it was just ahead of its time.

The room types are straightforwardly named; not only is there a Cosy category, but the Shoebox is even smaller, with room for a bed, a little desk, and a few well-thumbed paperbacks. As small as they are, they’re comfortable enough, and if you do feel like stretching out, the Roomy category is exactly what it says it is. They’re meant more as pieds-à-terre than full-fledged residences, of course, and at that, they certainly succeed.

It helps that the public spaces are so inviting. The Hoxton Grill is inspired by American diners, but with its leather banquettes and armchairs it’s a good deal swankier — and it’s open from early morning through late night, for meals, coffee, a bit of work, or a drink. And there’s plenty to do and see just outside the hotel’s doors — this corner of London is where the action is, and the Hoxton is perfectly placed to show you the way.