The Hoxton Chicago

OUR ARTICLE

A new British Invasion has made its way to Chicago. This time, instead of music that meshed together rock-n-roll, blues, jazz, and r&b into a unique souped-up style of pop, it’s a lodging experience that mashes up the best of British style and sensibility with Chicago’s history, and it’s arts and cultural scene.

The Hoxton Chicago is an “open-house” hotel, meaning it’s not just a bed and a roof overhead for the traveler, but also a destination for locals that celebrates the diversity and imagination of the surrounding area. The Hoxton team expertly blends itself into the neighborhood by bringing the community inside and intertwining it into all aspects of your experience.

And underground you’ll find Lazy Bird, an intimate cocktail and music lounge that features a menu of 52 classic drinks.

That effort starts before you even step foot inside. The brick-clad structure draws inspiration from the neighborhood that was once primarily filled with warehouses and meatpackers that served as a sort of “butler’s pantry” for Chicago’s central business district located directly to the east. Although the building is newly constructed, it pays tribute to the architecture of the storehouses that once stood in its place.

Stepping inside, the common spaces are inviting and reinforce the “open-house” policy of The Hoxton. The lobby welcomes you with soaring ceilings and plenty of natural light. It is dotted with a collection of comfortable chairs and tables that serve as the perfect setting to work, hang out with friends, meet some Chicagoans, or plan a day of exploration. Throughout the hotel, you will encounter more than 350 works of art by local creatives that were curated by Chicago art consultants Johalla Projects. Located near the front desk is a Best of Chicago retail collection that features products that have been created exclusively for The Hoxton by local makers. Some highlights include hats and t-shirts by Stock Mfg and journals by Field Notes. One of our favorite collaborations are the Hoxton-branded bikes constructed by Chicago manufacturers Heritage Bicycles. The bikes are complimentary to hotel guests for their exploits around the city.

Heading upstairs, the bedrooms come in three sizes: Snug, Cosy, and Roomy, all of which give guests plenty of space. Each room has large steel frame windows and exposed concrete ceilings, giving it a slightly industrial feel and harkening back to the history of the neighborhood. Beds are outfitted with leather headboards in earthy green and brown tones. Furniture in each room is mid-century style with hints of glam from the brass bed lamps and custom-designed rugs. Bathrooms feature walk-in showers with steel frames and glass doors that mimic the bedroom windows. The bath walls are a serene mix of blue-hued tile with accents of dark green, and the floors have tile work done in a tight herringbone pattern which adds a warmth to the space. It all comes together for a stylish and comfortable space to call home away from home. While the bedrooms are a private space for travelers, the community focus still continues. Through the hotel’s Hox Friends initiative, they invited 182 Chicago residents to curate a selection of books and insider tips about the city for each room.

The Hoxton has teamed up with Chicago’s Boka Restaurant Group to offer two restaurants and a cocktail bar in the hotel. The rooftop is home to Cabra Cevicheria, a Peruvian-influenced restaurant lead by acclaimed chef Stephanie Izard. On the first floor, you’ll find Cira, a Mediterranean restaurant headed by Chris Pandel. And underground you’ll find Lazy Bird, an intimate cocktail and music lounge that features a menu of 52 classic drinks.

The Hoxton Hotel has managed to bring together the best of British style and Chicago culture to offer a community focused lodging experience that appeals to the discerning traveler that is looking for more than just a room to sleep in. Here you can experience the city not only by heading outside but by staying inside as well.