"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe? The Hoxton's gruff, brick warehouse–inspired exterior belies its warm and spacious living room–like lobby. Immediately upon entry, you're greeted by potted greenery, communal tables, and ample seating under a lofty, two-story ceiling. The check-in desk is hidden behind a coffee bar. It all feels convivial and lived-in rather than stiff and stuffy. What's the backstory? Opened in March 2019, The Hoxton, Chicago marks lucky number seven for the London-based hotel group. It is one of four Hoxton hotels in the US, alongside locations in Brooklyn, Portland, and Los Angeles. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book? Rooms come in three sizes: Snug, Cosy, and Roomy. All feature design elements fashioned by local artists, including the whimsical bedspreads. Above the comfortable, firm mattress is brass lighting affixed to leather headboards. Furnishings are minimal; a single padded chair sits beside an end table with a retro-styled iPhone speaker. Inside the truncated bathroom are tiled walls and a marble sink. The shower holds locally sourced body washes. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? WiFi is free and adequate. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at? Outposts from some of the city's hottest chefs are scattered throughout the property. On the top floor is Cabra, a Peruvian cevicheria by Stephanie Izard of Girl & The Goat. You can't go wrong with any of the kitchen's vibrant ceviches and fruity tiraditos, ut don't pass over the goat empanadas: tender meat in a supple shell served with a huacatay mayo. In the lobby, Cira offers a supplemental breakfast to hotel guests, before moving on to Mediterranean specialities in the afternoon and evening. Lazy Bird is a sleek cocktail lounge boasting live music and a menu with 52 boozy cocktails—one for each week of the year. Chef Stephanie Izard of local Girl & the Goat fame runs the rooftop Peruvian hotspot Cabra. Don’t miss the basement jazz den Lazy Bird. And the service? For the seasoned traveler, The Hoxton offers a pleasant and unobtrusive flow. The check-in process is fast and efficient; you're lying in your bed five minutes after entering the property. But the same features that appeal to an urbane guest might prove challenging to the uninitiated; there's no concierge, it can be difficult to navigate the lobby, and in-room services are minimal. What type of travelers will you find here? Millennial-leaning urban professionals and artisans. There's a kumbaya spirit—here, gathered around craft cocktails rather than the campfire. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene? Sandwiched between the Morgan and Clinton subway stops, the hotel sits two blocks from Randolph Street in the Fulton Market section of Chicago's West Loop, an area that was once a meatpacking district. Although the building is new, it was designed to blend in with the industrial, warehouse-heavy neighborhood. Just outside are some of the city's finest restaurants, including The Aviary, Au Cheval, and Girl & The Goat. Is there anything you'd change? If you're angling for any semblance of additional space, be warned that the Cosy room category certainly errs on the side of its namesake adjective. Any other hotel features worth noting? The Hoxton has one of the neighborhood's only rooftop pools. And don't overlook the local tidbits strewn about your room, including the key cards and bookmarks stuffed into bedside reading material. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? This is a playful place that allocates its resources toward the things today's travelers care about: artfully rendered shared spaces and elevated food and drinks." - Brad Japhe
