LOCATION 9/10

Few neighbourhoods have seen such rapid gentrification over the past decade as the hipster stronghold of Williamsburg, with formerly industrial warehouse spaces now occupied by fashionable coffee shops, cocktail bars, nightclubs and high-end clothing stores. With myriad excellent restaurants, including Reynard, Fette Sau and St Anselm, all within a 15-minute stroll, there’s no real reason to even cross the river to Manhattan. If you must, though, the L train subway is a five-minute walk, and the East River Ferry dock eight minutes away. floor-to-ceiling windows offering views across the river to Manhattan, or over Brooklyn.

Bathrooms are minimal and stylish, with white subway tiles, brass fittings and toiletries by bl_nk. Helpful little notebooks offer information and tips on the area, along with a map, and a 10-book library, curated individually for each room by a “Hox friend”, one of 175 local business owners and artists, and a retro-style phone, with an hour of free international calls.

The Hoxton brand has a strict “no rip-offs” policy, and to that end, rooms feature kettles, tea and coffee and a small fridge to stock yourself, while a free light breakfast of juice, banana and a “breakfast pot” is delivered in a paper bag in the morning. There’s no overpriced minibar, but snacks and drinks are available to buy 24/7 at reception, and at the coffee bar in the lobby. available as room service) features a full English breakfast ($19/£14.50) and salads and sandwiches, including a fried chicken sandwich ($16/£12).

The dinner menu includes shrimp and pork belly skewers ($17/£13), a strip steak ($42/£32) and bucatini and meatballs ($24/£18.50).

A more relaxed menu (chips and dips; sandwiches; pitchers of cocktails) is served in Backyard, the second-floor terrace bar above

Klein’s with ping-pong tables, fairy lights and sun loungers, while Summerly serves east coast fare, including lobster rolls and oysters.

BAR WITH A VIEWThe stunning rooftop Summerly bar and restaurant