Hotel review: Homely meets hip at this dog-friendly newcomer with luxe vibes 

The main bar flows into the lobby creating a lively and inviting spot that’s fresh and fun.

The Hoxton

Our rating:  8/10 

Location 

Reviving a much-loved classic, The Hoxton has bedded in very nicely to the original Central Hotel on the corner of Exchequer St and George’s St. The landmark Victorian building, all warm red brick and large windows, fills a block close to Wicklow Street, surrounding it with shops, attractions and good transport connections. It’s at the heart of the action and ready to play along.

• 10/10 

Style & design 

Following on The Hoxton brand’s global design DNA, the new hotel has been cleverly and elegantly revamped courtesy of AIME Studios. Leaning into an autumnal Irish palette with a sophisticated homeliness, there are stacks of inviting spaces on the ground floor, with slouchy sofas, super art, snug corners, and breakout spaces for coffee and cocktails. The main bar flows into the lobby.  creating a lively and inviting spot that’s fresh and fun, while the revived Library Bar, Cantina Valentina restaurant and New York-style Dollars coffee bar all offer their own pleasing aesthetic.

• 9/10 

The Hoxton, Dublin.

Service 

First impressions falter, with a guest being checked in when we arrive and the other two staff behind reception busy on screens. No one looks up or offers a simple ‘We’ll be with you in a minute’. Once we are seen to, we feel welcome, although there seems to be confusion about us celebrating a birthday (which we are not.) Thankfully, we enjoy pleasing, helpful service everywhere else, including a lovely check-out.

• 8/10

Guest rooms 

Bedrooms come in 4 sizes. Ours is spacious and cosy with a smart feature headboard.

Considered details – like a radio tuned to soul music, USB and regular plugs on both sides of the bed, premium bed linen, and a desk and chair that work really well, the desk being the perfect height for a laptop – make a good impression.

Art, herringbone floors, dark wood furniture and a cosy rug create a really comfy space. The dark ceiling and low lighting make the room too dark for our liking and the wardrobe is too short to hang our coat in. A good sized bathroom with classic styling, beautiful tiles and a generous shower is let down by an annoying quirk where the mirror and shelf are separated by a pillar, making it awkward to put on make-up.

• 7.5/10 

In-room perks 

There’s water in the fridge and as they think it’s our birthday, we receive a card with some Lemony Lemonade from the Apple Farm and dried apple rings. Organic Fair Trade Hoxton coffee bags and Bewley’s tea complete the basic enough offering.

• 6/10 

The Hoxton, Dublin.

On the menu 

Cantina Valentina serves a Peruvian-influenced all-day menu. Highlights include a deliciously fresh tuna ceviche with dashi and generously stuffed prawn croquettas. There’s a really good Lima cheeseburger too.

Breakfast is served here too and it is a really appealing la carte menu, covering everything from acai bowls to chia seed pudding and a full breakfast using quality Irish ingredients.

Upstairs, the beloved Library Bar of old has been reinvented, albeit with limited opening hours. It’s cosy and intimate with large windows, a small bar counter, comfy seating and shelving with books, however the fireplaces don’t currently work, though there’s apparently planning in place for these.

There’s table service here and though the vibe is quite different to the original, it will appeal to many.

The main bar, which spills into the lobby, is cleverly designed, with lots of seating that can accommodate larger groups of friends. Despite friendly staff, we received quizzical banter when requesting a Virgin Mary, which was then made without the requisite Worcestershire Sauce.

At breakfast, one of my eggs was served cold and at dinner my wine is forgotten, making it clear there’s room for improvement across the food and drinks.

• 7/10

Activities & amenities 

There’s no gym, but discounts on local ones for guests. We applaud the breakfast in a bag option, which contains a pastry, OJ and fruit hanging on your door when you wake up, for €5.

• 6/10 

The bill 

Rooms from €194.

Room to improve? 

The wardrobe over the fridge is too short for long clothing, so can’t accommodate dresses or a winter coat. We found jumping back between the mirror and the shelf inconvenient while putting on make-up in the bathroom

Access for guests with disabilities? Fully accessible, including rooms and all bars and restaurants.

Family-friendly? Yes, with family rooms, interconnecting rooms and extra beds for under 12s.

Dogs welcome? Absolutely! They love dogs, who are welcome everywhere bar Cantina Valentina. Plus they stay free.

• The Hoxton
• 1-5 Exchequer St, Dublin 2 
• thehoxton.com/dublin
• The Hotel Examiner was a guest of The Hoxton Dublin