The Hoxton hotel brand is a social-media favourite. Their spaces are very much designed to be seen on Instagram, so it’s no surprise that their hotels regularly go viral — and I’ve seen The Hoxton Southwark pop up in a lot of videos.
That said, I’ve stayed at a Hoxton before and felt pretty “ehhh” about it, and their prices have definitely crept up a lotttt over the years. So I booked a night to see whether this location was actually worth recommending to my Trip Planning Consultation clients.
Here’s my honest take.
Quick facts:
- Area: Southwark
- Closest station: Southwark (Jubilee line)
- What’s nearby: Borough, Bermondsey, River Thames (South Bank)
- Main draw: Stylish design, buzzy lobby, strong food & drink scene
Location
Southwark sits just south of the River Thames, positioned between buzzy areas like Borough and Bermondsey — where there’s loads to explore — and the not-so-exciting stretch around Waterloo.
The immediate area around the hotel itself is fairly dead. While it’s less than a five-minute walk to Southwark tube station, only the Jubilee line stops here, which makes it slightly less convenient than other central locations.
It’s not a dealbreaker, but if you’re hoping for cool restaurants, bars, and shopping right on your doorstep (outside of the hotel), you won’t really find that here.
First impressions of The Hoxton Southwark
This hotel only opened a few years ago, and you can really feel that the second you walk in. The design is fresh, chic, and very on-trend.
Like all Hoxton hotels, the lobby is very much a destination in itself. Non-guests are in here working, meeting, and having drinks — and I completely get why. I sat downstairs at one of the big communal tables to get some work done, and the vibe is relaxed (and laptop friendly) but still polished. That feeling really carries through the whole hotel.
Check-in
Check-in was quick, easy, and relaxed. Staff were friendly without being overly formal, explained everything clearly, and I was heading up to my room within about three minutes.
Exactly how hotel check-in should be.
My room at The Hoxton Southwark
I booked the Cosy Room, which is their second-smallest room category.
The decor feels genuinely luxurious for the price point — cool artwork, an old-school phone, and a vintage-style radio that’s already playing music when you walk in, which is a really nice touch.
The Cosy room works well for one person, even for a few days, but with two people and two suitcases it would feel tight very quickly. For longer stays or two people, I’d definitely upgrade to a Roomy. The Snug is even smaller and really more of a one- or two-night, light-luggage situation.
One thing I loved was the massive window and the high ceilings. They let in loads of natural light and make the room feel much bigger — especially helpful because the overhead lighting was quite yellow, which I’m seeing a lot in trendy hotels lately and I am NOT loving.
Hoxton really nails the details:
- The minibar is completely free
- The bathroom products smell incredible
- There’s a steamer in the room
- Good counter space in the bathroom
- The bed was genuinely very comfortable
Bonus points for a power socket right next to the full-length mirror so you can actually do your hair properly.
The downsides
Despite the hotel being quite new, the TV felt pretty old-school, with no easy Netflix streaming, and there’s no proper wardrobe — just a small hanging area.
And while this isn’t technically part of the room itself, the biggest let-down for me was the lack of a gym. At this price point, I really do expect one.
Image courtesy of Seabird
Dining
The ground floor is a hotspot for drinks and socialising, but The Hoxton Southwark also has a top-floor seafood restaurant, Seabird.
It’s a beautiful space, and in summer the outdoor terrace would be amazing. I stayed in January, so I was inside at the bar, which still had a nice atmosphere, although it was pretty quiet for a Friday night. This is also where breakfast is held, although I’m not sure that’s always the case.
One of my favourite things about staying at a Hoxton hotel is their “Breakfast in a Bag” option. For just £5, you choose a time for delivery, hang the bag outside your door, and a mini breakfast appears with juice and a pastry in the morning.
I love this because even if you’re planning a bigger breakfast elsewhere, it gives you something to tide you over while you’re getting ready. It’s such a smart, genuinely useful option.
Overall, the food and drink offering is a big plus if you like staying somewhere that feels like a place locals actually want to go.
Service
Aside from check-in and check-out, I didn’t have many staff interactions.
I did try calling for a firmer pillow, but they didn’t really have one available, which was a bit odd. They did bring me a hypoallergenic pillow that was slightly firmer, but it wasn’t a perfect fix.
But there’s one pretty important thing to note.
I only stayed one night, so I didn’t need housekeeping, but in my research I’ve seen a lot of people complain that room cleaning isn’t automatically done and that you have to request it each day.
Personally, I think that’s a major issue — and something I hope they change — because it would genuinely put me off staying in any hotel for more than a night or two.
Price and value
I paid £163.71 for a Friday night stay in January. At peak times, this same room can cost around £307 per night.
The Hoxton isn’t part of a large loyalty programme, but if you have a Disloyalty membership, you can sometimes get discounted rates.
My final verdict
The Hoxton Southwark gets a lot right.
It’s stylish, modern, and genuinely fun to stay in. The rooms feel considered, the bed is comfortable, the lobby has great energy, and the food and drink options are strong.
That said, the location isn’t ideal if you want neighbourhood life right outside the hotel, the lack of a gym is a miss at this price point, and the housekeeping setup is something I’d want clarity on before booking a longer stay.
I’d happily recommend this hotel to solo travellers, short stays, or anyone who values design and atmosphere over space and traditional hotel amenities.
If that sounds like you, you can book The Hoxton Southwark here.
And if you want help choosing the right London hotel for your trip style and budget, you can always book a Trip Planning Consultation with me — I’ll save you the trial and error.
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