The Hoxton Edinburgh Hotel Review, With Pictures, From An Editor

You’ll know the name. The Hoxton is no stranger to new openings since its inaugural and eponymous first Shoreditch opening back in 2006. Today, the brand has 16 hotels under its belt, from London to Amsterdam, Barcelona to Williamsburg, and now, they’ve headed north of the border to open their first Scottish offering. The Handbook’s Astrid Carter headed to The Hoxton, Edinburgh, here’s what she thought…

What sets it apart

The Hoxton, Edinburgh, launched just a few months ago, and its timing couldn’t have been better. Not only is the opening, which faced a few hurdles along the way, perfectly timed to welcome visitors for The Fringe Festival, but it’s also a much-needed breath of fresh air in the city’s otherwise traditional and expensive hotel scene.

What really impressed me is how they manage to be both refreshingly affordable – they have rooms from as little as £150 a night (obviously not during The Fringe!) – and incredibly stylish. Every inch of the place feels thoughtfully curated and, of course, totally Instagram-worthy.

But it’s more than just a place to sleep. Like all the other Hoxtons, this one actively invites locals and digital nomads to hang out. The moment you walk in, you’ll find plenty of spots to get comfy with your laptop and order a flat white. You can settle into a cosy banquette by the bar, grab a larger table for a group, or find a quiet corner with a sofa. As someone who lives the freelance life, I could easily work here for a week and not get bored with all the different nooks to choose from.

Plus, there’s an extra incentive: their membership club, Dis-loyalty. It’s not pretentious or expensive (there’s a theme here), but it gives you some great perks. Up to 50% off all their hotels globally, 10% off food and drink, and a free coffee every single day of the year for just £12. The Hoxton really knows what it’s doing, and it’s got me wrapped around its little finger.

front desk in the foyer of the hoxton hotel with chairs

The location

You can always trust The Hoxton to choose a cool neighbourhood – they got their start in Shoreditch back when it was genuinely hip. For their Edinburgh hotel, they’ve picked Haymarket, an area that used to be a bit rougher around the edges but is now attracting a whole new crowd of hipsters.

It’s a perfect spot. Nearby, you’ll find a bunch of the city’s most talked-about restaurants and bars and new openings making waves on the food and drink scene – more on those later. The location is the best of both worlds: it’s a pleasant 30-minute walk down to Waverley Station and the Royal Mile (or you can take the back roads, which I highly recommend for all the great independent and vintage shops), and just a 15-minute walk to the historic castle that sits overlooking the whole city. The Hoxton has nailed both that trendy in-the-know spot and an incredibly convenient base for a city break.

The Hoxton has nailed both that trendy in-the-know spot and an incredibly convenient base for a city break.

The rooms

From the outside, The Hoxton looks like a regular townhouse, save for a flash of coral pink on the door. But once you step inside, it feels like a Tardis, with 214 rooms spread across 11 Georgian properties. And as I mentioned, the prices are incredibly reasonable: from £150 for a ‘Snug Bunk’ (actual bunk beds) up to £290 for a spacious ‘Biggy’.

I spent the night in one of their standard rooms, and for being on the lower end of their rates, I was so impressed. The room’s colour palette of sage, raspberry pink, and moody blues felt fresh and modern against the original Georgian features. My favourite touches were the scalloped-edged desk and velvet chair, which were perfect for a quick email session before I went out exploring.

The open, antique-style wardrobe with its chintzy pleated fabric doors was right up my street and cleverly concealed the safe and minibar. A handwritten (and illustrated!) note propped up against a mini can of spicy margarita and a Tunnock’s teacake was a perfect little detail – classy but with a fun, playful twist that sums up The Hoxton perfectly.

You can always trust The Hoxton to choose a cool neighbourhood.

The bed was suitably big and don’t-want-to-get-out-of comfy with quality crisp white sheets, and the black-and-white, metro-tiled bathroom had excellent lighting and full-sized Blank toiletries, made exclusively for the hotel. You can tell The Hoxton’s success has allowed them to invest in every detail, but they’ve done it without passing a massive bill on to the customer. It feels like a genuine luxury without the luxury price.

Food and drink

Whether you’re a guest or not, The Hoxton’s restaurant, Patatino, is a must-visit in Edinburgh. Its name, Italian for “little potato,” feels playfully fitting for us Scots, who definitely know our way around a potato. However, the menu is pure Italian sunshine – think long, lazy lunches on the Amalfi Coast. You’ll find everything from classic cacio e pepe to sourdough pizzas with a Scottish twist (haggis!), and whole seabass cooked over coals and smoked in butter.

patatino restaurant interiors with tables and chairs

Inside, Patatino is a feast for the eyes. The décor is a vibrant mix of Italian family-style crockery trimmed with Sicilian lemons, banquette seating perfect for lunches that spill over into cocktail hour, and an abundance of green foliage that completely transports you from the Scottish weather.

The bar serves both hotel guests and the public from day to night. After a lazy noon check-out, I enjoyed a very good almond croissant and an iced latte in the very same spot where I’d enjoyed a couple of excellent negronis the night before. The cocktails here are top-notch and well worth a visit, even if you’re just passing through the capital.

I could show you a dozen other hotels in Edinburgh that are twice as expensive and a fraction as charming as The Hoxton.

Things to do

Edinburgh has endless options for every kind of visitor, whether you’re a foodie, a history buff, or here for The Fringe. While the city centre is easily accessible, there are some great spots right on The Hoxton’s doorstep. Here are a few of my top picks:

History & culture

Edinburgh Castle – a 25-minute walk. Less than half an hour on foot or a quick tram ride will get you to the city’s iconic castle and UNESCO World Heritage Site. From there, you can explore the dramatic landmark or wander the winding, cobbled streets of the Old Town.

National Galleries Scotland – a 20-minute walk. Head east for 20 minutes to find the main National Galleries, or go northwest to their Modern Art outpost. You’ll find works from masters like Van Gogh and Monet to contemporary artists like Hockney and Warhol.

Food & drink

The Palmerston – a 3-minute walk. This is the bakery-slash-restaurant everyone is talking about. It offers cool interiors, a nose-to-tail philosophy, and a frequently changing menu that will have you coming back for more.

Old Pal – a 2-minute walk. If you can tear yourself away from the cosy Hoxton bar, head around the corner to Old Pal for laid-back cocktails and a fun small plates menu that’s making sliders cool again.

Shopping

Frontiers – a 9-minute walk. This family-run concept store has been an Edinburgh staple for 35 years. It’s home to brilliant brands like RIXO and Shrimps, as well as its own beautiful knitwear range, Forbes.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Astrid Carter (@astridcarter)

The verdict

You can’t really fault The Hoxton on price. I could show you a dozen other hotels in Edinburgh that are twice as expensive and a fraction as charming. The Hoxton ticks all the boxes for a perfect city break: chic interiors, excellent food and drink, genuinely warm staff, a fantastic location, and room rates that leave more money in your budget for fun. I’m already hoping for another overnight stay, but until then, you can be sure I’ll be making full use of their brilliant work hub and great coffee.