The Hoxton in Shoreditch celebrates 20 years with a refreshed look

When The Hoxton opened on a former car park on Great Eastern Street in 2006, Shoreditch was a very different place. Twenty years on, the hotel that launched a brand of 19 sister properties is celebrating its birthday with a fresh look and a party fit for the era it was born in.

The original Hoxton was refurbished in 2025. An in house refresh by AIME Studios brought in mustard velvets, mint terrazzo and chrome accents, while keeping the large round mirrors that regulars will remember. In the lobby, frilly fabric lampshades and Victorian inspired motifs nod to the area's glassblowing and silk weaving past, and ring light chandeliers still hang overhead.

The hotel has 210 bedrooms, ranging from "Shoebox" to "Roomy", with parquet floors and industrial inspired finishes. A new "Cosy Up" category adds an apéritif station and a larger minibar. East London art fills the building, and the on site gallery has shown photography by Ben Hickman.

Food and drink are a big part of the experience. The rooftop Llama Inn serves Peruvian food and cocktails with views across the neighbourhood, while Il Bambini Club offers pizza, fresh pasta and an Italian set lunch on weekdays. Late night room service brings Beigel Bake salt beef between 10.30pm and 7am, a very Shoreditch touch.

To mark its 20th birthday, the hotel threw a "Party like it's 2006" celebration, with music curated by Foundation.FM, Hox classics from the Bambini kitchen and a nostalgic drinks menu. General manager Cecilia Horner sums up the secret of its longevity: "it's a balancing act of staying relevant without losing character."

The neighbourhood remains a big draw for visitors. Mr and Mrs Smith's guide to the area points to Plates on Old Street, which became the world's first vegan restaurant with a Michelin star in 2025, and Legado, which earned its first star in February 2026, as well as galleries including Stolen Space and Pure Evil.

Guests also get access to discounted gym passes and sauna and plunge sessions nearby, booked through the hotel.

The Hoxton, Shoreditch is at 81 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HU, about three minutes' walk from Old Street station. To book, visit thehoxton.com.