02 November, 2018
When Spotify books out an entire hotel during its first two weeks of operation, there's little question that it's the coolest option around. Indeed, Ennismore Group have done it again with their first stateside outpost, Hoxton Williamsburg, which follows their tradition of creating chic urban sanctuaries in world capitals, so far including London, Amsterdam and Paris.
When descending the entry staircase, you'll immediately be greeted by a warmly lit open-plan kitchen set in a repurposed brick carriage house. The space is always buzzing with chefs prepping swordfish over the wood-fired grill, gorgeous couples strolling in and out with shopping bags from Williamsburg boutiques and creatives discussing website layouts over oat-milk lattes.
After a day of pounding the NYC pavement, dive under your printed Dusen Dusen duvet (designed by a modish Brooklynite) and tuck it under your chin before scrolling through the hundreds of American channels. Many of the rooms look out directly onto the Manhattan skyline - the hotel is just a block away from the East River - making for a glittering backdrop when dozing off. If you're going out, getting ready will make you feel effortlessly cool; bathrooms are kitted out with brass features and Parisian metro-style tiling, while an exposed-copper clothing rack is the perfect place from which to pluck your leather trousers.
Room sizes range from "cosy" (or "cosy with a view") to "roomy", and are full of little surprises such as bespoke Williamsburg mugs, vintage Roberts radios and a book selection with topics ranging from skincare to soul-searching, all curated by local influencers and artists.
Be sure to tick all the boxes on your breakfast bag and hang it outside your door before drifting off. You'll wake up to a sweet pot of overnight oats and berries alongside a bottle of just-pressed orange juice. For something heartier, swing by Klein's downstairs (sit in the open-air area on sunny days) for an English breakfast or a sticky-toffee bun with sea salt if you're looking to grab and go. An acai bowl, smoked salmon scramble or heirloom tomato toast with pesto tick healthier boxes - as long as you forgo duck-fat hash browns.
Pitch up on the multi-level benches surrounding the terrace at Klein's for a change of scenery come lunchtime. On chillier days, station yourself in one of the lounge's nooks (designed in collaboration with Soho House) and enjoy your midday meal from a comfortable armchair. This is not the type of place where you'll only want a main; order a selection for your group and get ready to mix and match - the chickpea burger with tahini and Greek grain bowl brimming with feta are favourites.
Both Klein's and Summerly, the hotel's dreamy rooftop bar, offer dinner. We're partial to Summerly's ultra-fresh evening offerings - the crudités plate with baba ghanoush does a good job of setting off clam pie, corn fritters and unmissable East Coast lobster roll served on buttery brioche. For late-night nibbles, crispy cheddar biscuits served with sweet cream are delightfully more-ish.
Summerly looks straight over Manhattan, making for a effervescent setting whether you're spending the afternoon lazing on a chaise lounge or clinking champagne flutes at twilight. For pre-party drinks before a night at House of Yes, order a round of Georgica Spritzes, served with a handful of pomegranate seeds. For a more relaxed affair, cosy up with a glass of wine by the wraparound bar at Klein's or by the glass fireplace in the library tucked behind reception.
The Hoxton is opening another another outpost in Portland (Oregon) before the end of the season, and it's set to crank things up a notch. In addition to characteristically chic design (this one will include pink marble) and an enviable location, there will be a rooftop taqueria and late-night basement cocktail lounge serving after-hours Chinese nibbles.
Night owls are in for a treat; New York DJ institutions Output and Schimanski are close enough for you to stumble home to bed at the end of the night. Otherwise, the Hoxton is bam in the centre of Williamsburg's hottest hangouts. Perfume fans are obliged to pay homage to Le Labo headquarters, while local favourite restaurants include Mexican eatery Cantina Royal, brunch sweetheart Café Colette and OddFellows ice-cream parlour. For an all-out foodie extravaganza, head to renowned Smorgasburg, a waterfront mecca of food tents selling everything from ramen burgers to birthday cake ice-cream sandwiches (and just a three-minute walk away).