The new Hoxton hotel proves Williamsburg is still the coolest NYC neighbourhood
The Hoxton Hotel opened its first American location in Williamsburg this fall, and it's already attracting Brooklyn residents and jet-setting hipsters.
Where is it?
The Hoxton Hotel recently opened its inconspicuous doors on Williamsburg's bustling Wythe Avenue, steps away from the aptly-named Wythe Hotel and The Williamsburg Hotel. Despite popping up on an already crowded patch of Williamsburg real estate, the Hoxton is immediately set apart from other stylish hotels in the area.
This is partly down to its small, hands-on touches, including a little store at the front desk showcasing locally-made products. During its opening month, the hotel hosted a slew of buzzy events with nearby partners, including complimentary nail art from Paintbucket and cult classic screenings with Nitehawk Cinema, giving guests a taste of the neighbourhood.
Now, Williamsburg residents might never have to leave their beloved borough again. The hotel houses three restaurants and a rooftop hang-out, so residents and guests can see (or snap) the Manhattan skyline without needing to venture into the city.
This is The Hoxton’s first stateside location, but the hotel chain has plans to expand rapidly over the next few years. Their next planned location? The West Coast hipster enclave of Portland.
What's on offer?
During my stay, there were plenty of creative events to keep visitors busy. Saturday afternoon saw Instagram-famous dogs (or at least aspiring ones) competing for titles including 'most likely to wait in line for a Supreme drop.' The event was a collaborative effort with Dogist, the Instagram account with more than three million followers. Dogist documents the best dogs in New York City, and in this case it felt like all of them showed up to compete, with a drag queen presiding as MC.
After the pageant ended, the half-outdoor bar at Klein’s was crawling with models, tourists, and Williamsburgers snapping photos with the pups and sipping mimosas. Brooklynites who didn't want to venture outside of their borough on a weekend afternoon drank with the hotel guests. The inventive cocktail menu, created by Brian Valencia, who was previously at Soho House and The Box, showcases plenty of Instagram-ready touches, including coconut flakes and fresh flowers.
That evening, hotel guests and locals made themselves at home outside for a showing of Withnail & I, complete with buckets of popcorn and, of course, more cocktails, thanks to nearby theatre Nitehawk Cinema, famous for pairing its movies with custom menus and matching cocktails.
Talk to me about the design...
If the hotel’s pastel-infused lobby looks familiar, it’s probably because the communal space was designed by Ennismore Design Studio in collaboration with Soho House. Imagine if Soho House and The Wing had an adult baby in Brooklyn and you've got The Hoxton. The halls are lined with artwork and the lobby offers a truly Instagrammable experience, with parquet floor, pale pink velvet chairs and inviting green couches.
Think a millennial’s Pinterest-perfect dream home. But unlike their own homes, visiting freelancers might actually want to get some work done there, especially with a small cafe serving up coffee and pastries.
What's on the menu?
The hotel boasts three restaurants and bars run in partnership with Brightside Hospitality, a union between Brooklyn restaurateurs Jud Mongell of Five Leaves, the Greenpoint brunch hotspot where Heath Ledger was an investor, and Zeb Stewart of Cafe Colette and the infamous Union Pool.
The lobby restaurant, Klein’s, is an American brasserie offering up late night eats and healthy bites in the morning, complete with avocado toast. The hotel also houses Backyard, an outdoor restaurant with casual plates, including chips and dips and pitchers of cocktails. There are also Ping pong tables in case you run out of things to talk about.
The vacation vibes continue at Summerly, the open air restaurant on the rooftop. There are views of both the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines, complete with floral bar seats, where you can enjoy pink cocktails and lobster rolls.
What are the rooms like?
The customary room is called 'cosy,' and it certainly is, in an effort to encourage visitors to explore their surroundings instead of staying cooped up. While the rooms are truly New York sizes (i.e. miniature), the beds are enormous, King-sized and covered with bespoke linens from local artist Dusen Dusen, a brand that’s blown up over the last few years. If you love the bedding, you can buy your own at West Elm to keep the vacation going.
What's in the area?
The hotel has its own bar and restaurant scene but there’s plenty to explore nearby. Down the street, Brooklyn Bowl is famous for its bowling, alongside major concerts, celebrity DJ sets and fried chicken from Blue Ribbon. If you’re still hungry, celebrity chef Missy Robbins has opened pasta place Misi. If mixologist-made cocktails aren't what you're craving, visitors searching for an authentic dive bar experience can venture to the nearby Skinny Dennis to hear bluegrass bands play or The Levee for cheese puffs and classic cocktails like the 'Beam Cream,' made with Jim Beam and cream soda.
For those who would rather spend time outside, the enormous, inviting Domino Park recently opened on the Williamsburg waterfront.
How to get there
Take a cab from the John F. Kennedy International Airport or, better yet, from LaGuardia Airport, which is only a 30-minute drive. Williamsburg’s main mode of transportation, the L train, is preparing for a shutdown (dubbed the L-pocalypse by nervous locals) this April, but walking around the neighborhood is pretty simple.
Details
The Hoxton has 175 rooms. The 'cosy' starts at $150 a night and the slightly larger 'roomy' option, at $239, showcases views of the Brooklyn or Manhattan skyline. Breakfast is included. Simply slip your bag outside and you’ll wake up to overnight oats and orange juice.
