The Hoxton, Shoreditch

In the funky heart of Shoreditch, the big, sociable lobby of this design-conscious hotel set the template for all the Hoxton hotels that followed, and there are two others in London, in Holborn and in Southwark. Bang on the main drag of Great Eastern St, the hotel is a microcosm of the dynamic, creative neighbourhood it’s located in – busy and almost painfully cool, with subdued lighting on the ground floor even during the day and a lobby full of eager folk on hot laptops. behind which there's a set of meeting and private dining spaces that cater to the sort of style-conscious folk that live and work around here.

The hotel’s 210 guest rooms are spread over 6 floors, and as far as amenities go, there’s not a huge amount to choose between room sizes. All have tea-and coffee-making facilities, fresh milk and water in the fridge, digital radios and air-conditioning. The bathrooms are good sizes, with walk-in showers – mostly black tiled, with the Hoxton’s signature Blank toiletries. Service is low-key and relaxed but always attentive, while a top floor restaurant that serves a terrific Mexican menu in a bright room with big windows and an outside terrace overlooking the rooftops of the City, or the relaxed Hoxton Grill on the ground floor, modelled on an American diner and serving steaks, cheeseburgers, Reuben sandwiches, and chickens and ribs to share. The lobby’s coffee bar transforms into a bar in the evening, with DJs joining the action on weekends.

Shoreditch is a great part of London to base yourself, and not only if you’re here on business (though it is extremely handy for the offices of the nearby City of London). Shoreditch really comes alive at night and it’s not a very long stagger back to the hotel from one of the district’s many bars and restaurants.