The hype
Travelers love the industrial-chic vibe and the friendly staff, but almost everyone comments on how small the entry-level rooms are.
The Hoxton Holborn
$200-350/ night
Book this if You want a buzzy, central London base where the lobby is a social hub and you don't mind trading square footage for cool design.
Why People Love It
- Unbeatable location: 2 minutes to Holborn tube, walking distance to Covent Garden and Soho
- Lobby culture: The open-plan ground floor is a legitimate local hangout for coffee and cocktails
- Free perks: 'Flexy Time' check-in/out (if booked direct) and a mini-fridge stocked with free milk and water
Quick Take: It’s basically a high-end WeWork with bedrooms attached—great energy, but don't expect peace and quiet in the common areas.
Reviewed by @Case: I stayed at The Hoxton Holborn and it’s the ultimate London base. My room was cozy with cool industrial touches, but the real highlight is the lobby—it’s always buzzing with locals and digital nomads. Perfect if you need to get work done but don't want to be stuck in your room.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
The lobby is often so packed with remote workers on laptops that actual hotel guests struggle to find a seat for a casual drink.
- You thrive in high-energy, social environments
- You travel light and only use your room for sleeping
- You need a central HQ for meetings and sightseeing
Cleanliness & Maintenance
7.8
- Housekeeping: On-request only. If you don't ask, your bed won't be made. Some complaints about missed rubbish collection.
- Bathroom hygiene: Generally clean, but grout lines in older showers are showing age. Rainfall showers are powerful.
- Maintenance: High traffic means visible wear: scuffed walls, stained corridor carpets, and the occasional musty lift smell.
- Linens & towels: Towels are decent quality, but check sheets carefully upon arrival due to isolated bed bug reports.
- Odors & scents: Lobby smells like coffee and expensive candles; corridors can smell a bit stale or like food from room service.
Sleepability™
7MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Street noise (sirens/buses) on lower floors facing High Holborn
- Corridor noise from other guests (heavy doors slamming)
- Vibration/rumble from the Tube (faint, but noticeable in basement/lower levels)
Before you book
Good to know
- The 'Breakfast Bag' is £5 (used to be free) and includes granola, fruit, and juice left on your door handle.
- There is no on-site gym, but they offer discounted passes to Gymbox (5-minute walk).
- The basement 'Chicken Shop' is closed; the space is now used for pop-ups or events like Rondo La Cave.
What to pack
- Earplugs: Essential for city center sleeping.
- Power strip: Outlets can be oddly placed or insufficient in smaller rooms.
- Slippers: Carpets in corridors have seen better days.
Room Genie
Best picks
- Roomy (22m²): The sweet spot for couples—enough space to actually walk around the bed.
- Cosy Up: Often features better views or more light than the standard Cosy rooms.
Rooms to avoid
- Shoebox: Avoid at all costs unless you are solo and backpacking.
- Rooms near the elevators: High foot traffic and noise bleed.
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I would appreciate a room on a higher floor, away from the elevators, facing the inner courtyard or back street to minimize noise. If possible, please avoid the 'Shoebox' category if an upgrade is available.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is breakfast included?
No. You can order a 'Little Breakfast Bag' for £5 or eat a full hot breakfast at Rondo restaurant downstairs.
Is there a gym?
No on-site gym. Guests get discounted day passes to Gymbox Holborn, which is a very well-equipped gym a short walk away.
Can I check in early?
Yes! If you book directly through their website, you can use 'Flexy Time' to choose your own check-in and check-out times for free (subject to 72hr notice).
Are pets allowed?
Yes, dogs stay for free. They provide a bowl, bed, and treats.
Is there parking?
No. You'll need to use nearby public car parks like the NCP Covent Garden, which costs ~£26-40 per day.
Do the rooms have fridges?
Yes, mini-fridges are provided, stocked with free fresh milk and water. You can buy other snacks/drinks at 'high street prices' from the lobby shop.
Insider Tips
- ✨
Book direct to snag the 'Flexy Time' perk—it's a game changer for early flights.
- ✨
The 'Rondo' restaurant has an excellent wine list that focuses on low-intervention bottles; ask the sommelier for a recommendation.
- ✨
If the lobby is too crowded for work, head to the nearby 'The Espresso Room' for a quieter coffee vibe.
5 things to know before you go
💡The 'Shoebox' rooms are so small that the bed often touches three walls.
💡The lobby bathrooms are often used by non-guests working in the space and can get messy by midday.
💡There is no room service tray pickup; you might see trays lingering in hallways.
💡The 'view' from many rooms is just the office building across the narrow street.
💡The lifts can be slow and smell a bit musty during peak summer months.
Local Playbook
Map
See where The Hoxton Holborn is located and what's nearby.