The Hoxton hotels are known for their impeccable rooms, effortlessly cool decor, and hotel bars with cocktails that pack a punch. However, their child-friendly attributes? This isn’t an assumption I’d have initially made.
And, while motherhood changed nearly everything for me, what it didn’t change is my penchant for good food and sumptuous hotel stays; so when I heard about The Hoxton’s newest venture, Hox Kids, my daughter and I had to check it out ourselves.
What is Hox Kids?
Hox Kids is a new initiative The Hoxton has launched across its entire UK and European portfolio, just in time for the summer holidays (and it will become a permanent offering throughout the year too). It includes a ‘Dial for Treats’ scheme. Essentially, it makes hotel stays more fun for kids while still encouraging an enjoyable, grown-up experience for parents. This offering was inspired by the hotel’s existing scheme, Tiny Hox, which is designed to encourage easier travel for adults with babies and toddlers.
My experience of The Hoxton’s Hox Kids offering
I chose to visit The Hoxton Southwark, which is a short, direct, step-free walk from London Blackfriars station – essential when managing a child, a buggy, and luggage. We couldn’t have had a warmer welcome as we arrived; the staff immediately built a rapport with my daughter – and when she’s at ease, I’m at ease (and vice versa!)
Although The Hoxton offers connecting family rooms, I opted for a regular room with a travel cot. The room we were staying in was flooded with light – and with everything we could need for a stay with a child. My brain often works overtime to anticipate anything my daughter may need before she needs it; The Hoxton lifted that mental load significantly – and they even anticipate things I wouldn’t have considered, like a bin for dirty nappies (these are limited though, so be sure to book ahead of time). Come evening, this light-filled room became perfectly dark, thanks to blackout curtains – essential when travelling with a FOMO child in the summer who fights bedtime! The fact that she slept through the night was a testament to the quietness and comfiness of the room.
My daughter is at an age where she benefited from some elements of the Tiny Hox initiative, while others were part of the new Hox Kids. Our room had a full pack of nappies, a bottle warmer and a baby bath waiting, thanks to Tiny Hox, while a delivery of The Hoxton Hideaway kit – a picnic blanket, complete with a picnic hamper full of toys – was part of the Hox Kids’ Dial for Treats initiative. My daughter loved this and played happily at various points in our stay, meaning I had uninterrupted time to unwind or focus on work. The Dial for Treats scheme also includes more foodie elements (I go into this below), as well as neighbourhood recommendations for sightseeing.
Dining at The Hoxton with a child
Our first meal of the stay was dinner at the hotel restaurant, Albie. Located in the lobby, this restaurant has a cool, almost hipster-y vibe, with golds, steel grey, brass and browns dominating the decor. As for the meal itself, the starters and desserts stole the show. My favourite dish of the evening was actually listed as one of the nibbles: Prawn Chicory Leaf Taco. It was light, flavoursome, well seasoned, and arguably had some of the best guac I’d tasted in a while. It even had a little spice; I liked it so much that I’m going to try to replicate it at home. I must shout out the fries too – perfectly crispy, and oh so moreish – and the gorgeously rich and thick chocolate mousse.
A lovely touch I really appreciated as a parent was the team bringing out the kids’ meal with the starters, knowing full well she’d take longer to eat, or be frustrated by a lack of starter for herself. The Hox Kids initiative rounded off our meal with a complimentary scoop of ice-cream for my daughter – the coconut ice-cream here was insanely good – and a very welcome glass of fizz for me.
As for the rest of the drinks, The Hoxton’s reputation for having great cocktails still stood. My favourite cocktail of the evening, the Pear Giblet, was divinely smokey, but tasted a little bit too much like I’d need a babysitter for my daughter (or myself) if I drank too many… The zingy Pineapple Palomita and refreshingly sweet Fig Leaf Highball were a good mid ground to enjoy with dinner, but didn’t make me forget my responsibilities.
In the morning, we ventured up to the 14th floor for breakfast at Seabird. It was transformed from the bustling rooftop restaurant into a lovely, family-friendly breakfast spot – made all the more sweet by breakfast being totally free for children under 12 years old as part of Hox Kids. There were plenty of options at the continental buffet, and a cooked breakfast awaited too. I started my day with a complimentary ginger shot and views of The Shard, so I knew it would be a good week ahead.
Overall, I was completely blown away by how child-friendly The Hoxton is; especially as someone who had been to the hotel and enjoyed it pre-motherhood too. The staff go above and beyond to ensure their young guests are completely catered for – and actually enjoy themselves – while making sure the adults feel like they’re getting an escape too.
If you fancy heading to The Hoxton with the kids, you can bag 10% off if you book directly with The Hoxton to stay this July or August, using the code HOXTREATS.
