I recently went to Hubbard & Bell – the restaurant at the Hoxton Holborn hotel (sister to original Hoxton hotel, which was one of the most disabled aware venues I have ever visited) which has lived up well to the original version in terms of style and access.
The decision to keep the Hoxton hotel name as they branch out the Hoxton brand into new areas may seem potentially confusing to some, but the image of Hoxton hipster style is now so well known that the name gives you a good sense of what to expect. At the Hoxton Holborn, the trendy Shoreditch vibe has been transported into a more central London location and given the slightest polish to fit in with the new surroundings. While the urban chic style remains, complete with vintage furniture and an embarrassment of coolness, you’re less likely to find as many beards here as you would back in Hoxton.
I only went to Hubbard & Bell restaurant on my visit, rather than staying in the hotel, but it was a great place to eat – not too expensive and really stylish. I recommend the salmon with horseradish and truffle flavour chips in particular. The restaurant has flat access and plenty of room even when it’s very busy (as it was when I visited). There’s also a disabled toilet there.
Access at Hubbard & Bell was excellent and the hotel itself sounds good too, even if the accessible options are a little pricey. Having moved from Hoxton to Holborn, they say that space is at an even greater premium than ever, so many of the hotel’s rooms (described as Cosy, Snug and Shoebox in size) are too small for reasonable wheelchair access. As a result it’s only the top rate rooms that have been made fully wheelchair accessible. These ‘Roomy’ rooms have larger bathrooms, grab handles and emergency buttons and also connect to Snug rooms for a carer or family member. I can see where they’re coming from but it’s a shame that access is only available in the most expensive rooms.
It leaves me with a problem: should I credit or criticise Hoxton Holborn? It’s not the first time that difficulties around accessibility will mean paying more and, based on how inclusive the original Hoxton hotel is, I’m sure that they have the best of intentions here. However, after weighing it up, I think that points do need to be deducted for lack of accessibility and facilities in a good deal of the hotel.
If I was just rating the Hubbard & Bell restaurant I would give a higher score as I had a great meal, but overall the Hoxton Holborn gets 2 BBS Ticks for Hoxton style and at least having some accessible rooms (not always a guarantee!).
