Sometimes the best hotel stays don’t need all the bells and whistles. The Hoxton, Berlin, is a pretty good example: simple but high-end, cool but not snobby, welcoming but not too much. Found in the very arty West Berlin neighbourhood of Charlottenburg, the hotel has 234 comfortable rooms, a lobby bar, terrace bar and an Indian restaurant for dinner (and breakfast).
The Hoxton is immediately chic, as if it’s lifted its design influences from the many, many modern galleries that surround it, with scalloped edges, round furnishings, modern light fixtures and various nods to German nouveau. A cosy and carefully considered spot in Charlottenburg, The Hoxton was pretty ideal for me – a solo traveller looking for a weekend packed with culture, and not so much partying (well, this time at least).
What’s the vibe at The Hoxton Charlottenburg?
In a building from the 70s, The Hoxton overlooks typical West Berlin townhouses, a stone’s throw from the Kufürstendamm shopping district. And it channels this sort of Golden Age-meets-Bauhaus interior design: the bold numbering of neighbouring buildings is replicated in the rooms, Berlin-style chimneys make up communal spaces, and the winter garden is similar to that of German conservatories.
To tie in with the history of the area, The Hoxton is filled with Berlin artists: Stefanie Kägi’s mural is up in the lobby, channeling German expressionism; Dada artist Hannah Höch’s surreal print sits in the bar; and the seventh-floor apartment rooftop (for gatherings, meetings and the likes) channels the influence of expressionist modern-dance performer Mary Wigman, with antique vases, cabinets and floor lights.
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What are the rooms like at The Hoxton Charlottenburg?
The Hoxton has over 234 rooms in seven categories, from Shoebox to Biggy Up. I was in the Cosy, which is perfect for those travelling alone – a bread-and-butter room of compact size with a queen-sized bed, open wardrobe and walk-in shower overlooking the neighbourhood.
Its decor is made up of shades of dusty shades of pink and emerald green, set against dark woods and white walls. The rooms have classic scalloped velvet headboards, round side tables and dark wood floors, complemented by stylish golden-hued light fixtures for a warm, vintage vibe. In each of the rooms, you’ll find proper rain showers and the Hoxton’s trademark Blank products.
But remember, this isn’t a hotel for frills. That means no slippers or bathrobes, and instead of having a mini bar, there’s the front-desk shop (meaning no last-minute surprises when you check out). There is, however, a coffee machine and selection of teas in the room – as well as the classic Hoxton ‘little breakfast’ bags, which you can hang on your door handle for €5 quick brekkies delivered to your room.
Depending on the time of year that you’re visiting, stays here start at €150, which is very reasonable given it’s the Hoxton, and it’s Berlin. The Cosy room is surprisingly bigger than the name suggests, with nice touches like neighbourhood views, colourful local art and Roberts radios that’ll be left on every time your room gets serviced – meaning you’ll often walk into music after a long day exploring.
What are the best things to eat at The Hoxton Charlottenburg?
The Hoxton’s onsite restaurant House of Tandoor offers a lovely dash of spice to your stay. The modern Indian restaurant delivers bold, fragrant flavours inspired by traditional tandoor cooking and served family-style. As its focus is on the three clay ovens, sitting right at the front of the kitchen, you’ve got to try one (or all of) these specialities: the paprika tiger prawns, broccoli malai and the House of Tandoor chicken. Thanks to the shape of the oven, mind-blowingly hot temperature and thick metal skewers, each dish packs a distinctly smoky punch. Pair with the Hoxton Lager for the full experience.
Looking to explore further afield? Rooms here have QR codes that you can use to open up The Good Guide, a local area guide to the hottest, greenest places to go during your stay. I was recommended the brilliant Kleine Hamburger down the road, which combines elements of a health store, spa and juicery. Grab a couple of face masks and some healthy snacks along with your burger for a night of proper self-care back in your room.
What is the service like at The Hoxton Charlottenburg?
The Hoxton is a successful brand for a reason, and across the board, the service was on point. Staff gave me breakfast times, check-out times and other handy details during check-in, and all questions I had were promptly answered at the front desk (like when I was initially told my breakfast wasn’t included in my stay, which it actually was, and when my flight was delayed and pushed my check-in time to near midnight).
Anything else worth recommending?
If you’re doing a working holiday, like myself, then the 1920s art nouveau-inspired Wintergarden is a lovely makeshift office. Tucked away just behind the lobby, the space’s fireplace and German tiling make it a relaxing little spot. It’s super easy to lock in, drink a few coffees and get stuck into admin with a warm, flaky croissant to hand – speaking from experience.
What’s the area like around The Hoxton Charlottenburg?
You’re right in the epicentre of Berlin’s art museums, so you simply must make an afternoon of exploring what’s on offer. Big hitters like Contemporary Fine Arts and C/O Berlin showcase modern art, photography and visual media, while the lesser-known Museum of Photography pays homage to photographer Helmut Newton with a permanent exhibition that’s enticing to any high-fashion fans.
If you’re staying for the weekend, take part in the Berlin ritual of Saturdays at the Kollwitzmarkt. It’s very easy to spend hours here, checking out all of the handmade trinkets and trying out different food. I didn’t try the German sausages there, but I did grab a vegan currywurst from Curry 61 on my way back home.
Why should you book a stay at The Hoxton Charlottenburg?
I honestly really loved the simplicity of The Hoxton. It feels cool yet cosy, with friendly staff and a laidback vibe that immediately made me feel comfortable – a big win for when you’re solo travelling. The Cosy room was the perfect size for me, but it would be great for couples too as there was plenty of room. They’re a part of Dis-loyalty, which gives you 35 percent off springtime stays and the occasional long weekend deal, so it’s probably worth checking that out ahead of booking your trip.
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