Since opening in 2018, the Hoxton Williamsburg has made serious waves in the Brooklyn hospitality scene for its focus on outstanding design, dining options and nods to the trendy, ever-changing local neighborhood. Situated near the waterfront, the London-based boutique brand offers 175 compact city hotel rooms—many with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline—plus a bustling, ultra-chic lobby and common area that houses K’Far, a critically acclaimed and all-day Israeli restaurant. The Hoxton also hosts rotating exhibitions by local artists inside the Apartment, the hotel’s collection of five dedicated event spaces. Easy public transit access, two other great alfresco dining options (one on the roof, another on the hotel’s mezzanine level) and friendly and knowledgeable front desk staff translate into an extremely stylish, convenient hotel choice for your next stay in New York City.
Why stay at the Hoxton Williamsburg?
If you want to stay in the bleeding heart of Brooklyn’s trendiest neighborhood, the Hoxton should be your top choice. It's stylish, comfortable and depending on when you book, fairly affordable. Blocks away from the waterfront and Bedford Avenue—home to countless popular restaurants, bars, shops and venues—there’s always something lively or interesting happening within walking distance of the hotel. The L train is only a 10-minute walk away, which means that much of Lower Manhattan is just a half-hour commute once you exit the lobby.
The beautiful design, of course, is another major reason to book. Like other Hoxton outposts around the globe, the Hoxton Williamsburg integrates pre-existing structures and pays homage to the neighborhood’s industrial past. In this case, the hotel occupies a site once owned by the Rosenwach Water Tower Factory and incorporates a historic brick structure from the original building into the lobby and restaurant kitchen. As you enter, the first thing you’ll probably notice is the stunning brick wall that honors the factory’s carriage house and separates K’Far’s dining room from the lobby bar and lounge seating. Filled with natural light during the day and offset by stylish lighting and decor, the common area is the perfect place to get some work done or catch up with a friend.
What are the rooms like at the Hoxton Williamsburg?
The 175 rooms are divided into five room types: Cosy, Cosy Brooklyn View, Cosy Manhattan View, Cosy Twin and Roomy. If you’re springing for the Roomy, you’ll also get a table and two chairs. Interestingly, each of the rooms offers 10 unique books to peruse or read chosen by a “Hox Friend,” a local artist or tastemaker. Each room also comes equipped with a TV, a Roberts Radio, blackout curtains, a wall-mounted desk and a small fridge, squirreled away in the base of the wardrobe rack. For a small fee, you can hang a paper bag outside your door each night for a quick pastry and beverage breakfast to be delivered the next morning.
Even by New York City hotel standards, I would consider the rooms here to be quite small. My partner and I stayed in a Cosy with a Manhattan view, and I had to fold up the desk in order to comfortably get over to my side of the bed. The high ceilings, however, make all the difference in ensuring the room feels less claustrophobic, as do the floor-to-ceiling windows. Brass light fixtures and vaguely midcentury modern wood furniture add a touch of polish. It’s worth noting that during this particular trip to New York City, I also stayed at (and reviewed) the Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg. Between the two boutique hotel options, each hotel’s room had pros and cons. The Hoxton offers a little less space in the room itself, but I did appreciate the standalone bathroom and trio of shower essentials from Blank, a Hoxton exclusive brand. A word of warning: The poorly designed shower tends to flood the bathroom floor, but it’s nothing the provided bath mat won’t fix.
What are the best restaurants and bars at the Hoxton Williamsburg?
Two out of three on-site dining options—K’Far and Laser Wolf—have the distinction of being included on our guide to the best restaurants in Williamsburg. According to local food and drink editor Morgan Carter, Laser Wolf is a lively “viewstaurant” with delicious breads, spreads and live-fired skewers. While it’s difficult to nab a seat there—and hotel guests aren’t prioritized in booking—you can always inquire at the front desk or get a smaller version of the Laser Wolf menu delivered to your room. K’Far is comparatively easier to book and offers a larger menu that includes baklava, lamb tartare and chicken schnitzel. It also serves a small but compelling daily breakfast menu of housemade pastries and other light bites; I enjoyed the pistachio sticky bun and egg and cheese Jerusalem bagel.
What is the service like at the Hoxton Williamsburg?
The employees here are happy to provide dining, shopping and activity recommendations, but the guest service isn’t always prompt. After calling the front desk for extra towels, I ended up calling a second time and sending my partner down to the lobby after the towels still didn’t appear after about half an hour.
What’s the area like around the Hoxton Williamsburg?
Located on Wythe Avenue, the Hoxton is part of the neighborhood’s unofficial hotel strip, but it’s also a block away from Marsha P. Johnson State Park, which hosts Smorgasburg on Saturdays from April to October and comedy club the Second City. There are trendy, critically acclaimed restaurants and bars on almost every block surrounding the hotel, from Moroccan staple Cafe Mogador to Qawah House, an all-day Yemeni coffee shop that stays open into the wee hours. For shopping, Bedford Avenue and the surrounding areas boasts a mix of global brands (Everlane, Lululemon), slightly more niche online-first businesses like Gorjana and local independent vintage and clothing shops.
Why should you book a stay at the Hoxton Williamsburg?
With outstanding design, amenities and dining options, the Hoxton is my top choice if you’re visiting Brooklyn or looking for a calmer homebase from which to explore the rest of New York City. The rooms are comfortable, with relatively minimal city noise (aside from the occasional siren or horn), and the views of the Manhattan skyline are worth the extra premium. I recommend booking the Cosy Manhattan View if you’re staying for a night or two, and springing for a Roomy if your trip is any longer than that.
Address: 97 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Price per night: Starting at $269 per night.
Nearest transport: Near the L line
Book now: Click here
Time Out makes a small commission from the affiliate links included in this article. These links have no influence on our editorial content, but they do help us to bring you more recommendations every week. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.