THE HOXTON, SHEPHERD’S BUSH
Having first opened on the site of an old car park in east London, The Hoxton chain now has 12 hotels in Europe and the US, with west London being its latest. When I arrive, first impressions are good. Glass doors open on to a warmly lit foyer filled with velvet seats in hues of peach and terracotta, while foliage spills out from every corner. In the centre is a wraparound bar, with a selection of natural wines, London beers and an alluring cocktail list (hello, lychee and peach martini!). Beyond this is Chet’s, the restaurant curated by La-based chef and restaurateur Kris Yenbamroong. In mint-coloured booths, diners can chow down on Yenbamroong’s renowned Thai-american fusion dishes, including French fries topped with curry sauce, Thai basil and bird’s eye chilli; and Chiang Rai-style fried chicken, waffles and spicy honey come breakfast time. The laughter and clinking glasses from fellow guests, local office workers and night owls suggest that this – even on a weeknight – is the place to be.
Dark wood, curved lines, scalloped lampshades and a sepia-toned colour scheme throughout evoke a proper 1970s feel here. And, like all The Hoxton hotels, pieces from local designers and makers are dotted all over, too – from rugs in the bedrooms to one-off artworks hanging on the walls.
There are 237 rooms and while mine is compact (this is London, after all), it’s comfy and stylish. Terrazzo topped the bedside tables and basin stand, a spacious rainfall shower offered the ideal wake-up call, and I love the vintage Roberts radio, which is playing Fleetwood Mac on my arrival.
It’s just a few paces from Shepherd’s Bush Market tube station, so you can be in the West End in under 40 minutes, and you can walk to Portobello Road and Notting Hill in half an hour. So yes, this is a great springboard to other parts of the city – but don’t forget to make time for a martini or two in the bar. LIZ DARKE
ROOMS FROM £189 A NIGHT. THEHOXTON.COM/LONDON/SHEPHERDS-BUSH