Scene
Portland cool mashed with frat house chic
A lot of hotels like to say they feel like home, but the Hoxton hits the right note as soon as you walk in. Your first impression is a smattering of remote workers with laptops open, posted up on mismatched lobby furniture. It looks a little more like a cleaned-up frat house study hall than a hotel lobby, and smells a lot better. The vibe is the laid-back, professional cool that’s defined Portland over the past decade and a half, and that aesthetic carries through the hallways, which are etched with original art, and the retro-outfitted rooms. Hoxton’s scene is as close to “being seen” as it gets the Rose City, where a rooftop Mexican restaurant packs ’em in for weekend happy hours and the funky lobby eatery offers fine wine and tasting menus amid thrift store chic. Hoxton is the picture of what cool means in 2020s Portland, and spending a few nights here gives a better sense of the city’s culture than almost anywhere in town.
Location
Right across from a landmark strip club. Do you really need anything else?
The Hoxton sits just west of Portland’s landmark Burnside Bridge, a short walk from Old Town and strolling distance to almost anything in downtown. More importantly, the iconic strip club Mary’s Club is right across the street, and if you’ve never been to an exotic dance emporium in PDX the experience is unlike any other in America. We’ll leave it at that, and let you wander across the street once curiosity (and maybe a few beers) get the better of you. Beyond that particular attraction, the Hoxton is a stone’s throw from the Pearl District, generally considered the best area for bars and restaurants in town. If you feel like exploring farther, the MAX light rail has a stop only two blocks away, giving you access to most of the city.
Here’s our guide to the city and here’s some awesome stuff to do nearby:
- Browse the largest independently owned bookstore in America at Powell’s City of Books. The landmark five-story building is less than five minutes away on foot.
- Catch a live show at McMennamin’s Crystal Ballroom. The city’s best and most historic music venue is also less than 10 minutes’ walk down West Burnside Street.
- Stop and smell 650 varieties of roses at the International Rose Test Garden. It’s among the largest rose gardens in America, and is only a few minutes away by car in Washington Park.
- While you’re in Washington Park, stoll through the Portland Japanese Garden. It’s a trip to the Far East complete with koi ponds, bonsai trees and meticulous Asian landscaping.
- Cross the river and sample some of Portland’s best beers and distilled spirits. Right on the east side of the water you’ll find Wayfinder Beer, House Spirits Distillery and Eastside Distilling.
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Rooms
Midcentury-modern with touches of original art
Hoxton’s rooms are furnished with retro radios and old timber walls and accented with pastel pink marble and brass, bringing a little bit of tropical to the Pacific Northwest. Local art curators at the Upfor Gallery found the art for the rooms, and the little ceramic knick-knacks on the shelves come from local artisans too. Hoxton doesn’t let the creativity end with the décor either, as they have some of the more accurately named room categories you’ll ever find:
- Shoebox – A nice euphemism for a room that’s slightly larger than a walk-in closet at 115 square feet. You’ll be sleeping on a single twin bed, but you still get a private bathroom, old-school radio, safe and cool faux-rotary phone.
- Snug – Same as the Shoebox, but with five more square feet to accommodate a queen-sized bed.
- Cosy and Cosy View – Hoxton comes to Portland from London, so their “Cozy” room comes spelled with an “S.” They also come with a small seating area and queen or king bed. The “View” versional also offers panoramic views of the city skyline and, on higher floors, the mountains in the distance.
- Roomy – The Hoxton doesn’t sell you on space, as its largest rooms clock in at only 270-310 square feet. Still, they make for comfortable homes away from home, with sleek desks, a sitting area and either one king or two queen beds.
Amenities
Two of Portland’s top restaurants onsite
Where the Hoxton really creates its aura of cool is with its amenities. Not really the stuff you find in the bathroom, but destination dining for breakfast, lunch, dinner and happy hour makes the Hoxton as much a local hangout as a place for visitors.
Hoxton’s signature restaurant is Tope, a Mexico-inspired, slow-smoked-meat rooftop taqueria that doubles as one of the city’s hottest rooftop bars. The margaritas and epic mezcal bar are a big reason why. But step out onto the patio and its sprawling views of Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens and the iconic Welcome to Portland sign, and you’ll find yourself posting pictures to your Story. If you’re thinking of stopping in, be advised the line gets long early on weekends. So unless you’re a guest, plan ahead.
The lobby restaurant is no slouch either, where craft cocktails and a multicourse tasting menu make it a little like fine dining in a vintage store. Make a point to start out with a barrel-aged Manhattan or Negroni, then move on to multicourse, family-style dinners featuring Northwest-inspired cuisine from chef Joel Lui-Kwan. Lovely Rita also offers a $50 wine pairing, where you’ll see what Willamette Valley specials go best with the night’s selections.
Roseline Coffee
The lobby also offers a small outpost of Roseline Coffee shop, where you can grab fancy coffee drinks if the stuff in your room ain’t cutting it.
Art
Art in the rooms is all curated by the local Upfor Gallery. But the most interesting works are the sketched murals in the hallways by muralist Sarah Buckley. They’re worth going floor to floor to explore.
Bike Loan
The Hoxton has a bike loan program with custom bikes from Built by PDX Cycles. Stop by the front desk to reserve or check one out.
Fitness Center
The Hoxton does not have a fitness center, but does have a partnership with nearby Knot Springs, where guests get 15% off fitness
Parking
The Hoxton has valet parking available for $48 per day.
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FAQs
What is the hotel’s address?
15 NW 4th Ave, Portland, Oregon 97209 USA
In what neighborhood is the hotel?
The hotel is in Old Town Chinatown.
What time is check-in and check-out?
Typically, check-in is 2pm and check-out is 12pm. If the guest is using Flexy Time, they may choose their own times. Flexy Time is a perk given to guests who book through the hotel’s website.
What are some of the amenities?
Free wifi, meeting rooms, “breakfast bag,” and room service are some of the amenities. Note: Room service/in-room dining is “temporarily unavailable” as of this writing in Jan 2024. Also, the website touts its Hox shop where guests can buy beer, wine and snacks to stock in the room fridge.
What’s in the breakfast bag?
Here’s how the breakfast bag works. There will be a bag on your desk. You select the items you’d like and then hang the bag on the hook outside your room. In the morning, the bag will be filled with the items you chose, like oats, OJ, and a piece of seasonal fruit. A $5 charge will be added to your bill upon check-out.
Is the hotel pet friendly?
Yes, the Hoxton is pet friendly.
Do I need a credit card for check-in?
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in.
How far is the Hoxton Portland from downtown Portland?
It’s less than a mile away. Downtown is just south of Old Town Chinatown.
How far is Lan Su Chinese Garden from the hotel?
The garden is .2 miles north of the hotel.
Anything else I should know?
Online guest reviews note a friendly staff, and the bistro and speakeasy are guest favorites as well.
