How family-friendly are the two Hoxton hotels for Amsterdam city breaks?

Hoxton Hotels Amsterdam now give you two choices in the city, but are they good for families and how do they compare with one another? Harriet Mallinson went to find out.

The Hoxton is the centrally placed residence of the two

Hoxton Hotels Amsterdam now comprise The Hoxton and The Hoxton, Lloyd; the duo may share similar names and glossy-magazine interiors but the siblings are far from identical.

Which of the Hoxton Hotels Amsterdam is most central?

The Hoxton Hotels Amsterdam OG, The Hoxton, is the centrally placed residence of the two. In the heart of the canal district, this handsome red-brick building overlooks the Herengracht (the Lord’s Canal, don’t you know) and benefits from a plethora of cafés and cute shops right on its doorstep, plus it’s a 10-minute walk away from the Anne Frank House.

Newbie The Hoxton, Lloyd is out east in the Docklands, which have seen a revamping in the past decade. No, it’s not the Amsterdam you see on the postcards, but it’s fantastically well-connected via trams to the rest of the city. Moreove,r Hox bikes, available to hotel guests for free, can whizz you to the city centre in around 10 minutes.

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Hoxton Hotels Amsterdam now has two options

There’s history to be enjoyed aplenty out east

For a central city buzz then The Hoxton certainly delivers. Its popularity is evident from the off – but the lounge and bar seem to attract a few too many WFH professionals and business meetings to exude full-on family holiday mode.

Although out of the two Hoxton Hotels Amsterdam, it’s much more relaxed over in The Hoxton Lloyd, located in a sprawling stone building commissioned back in 1921 by the Royal Holland Lloyd Shipping Company. It’s served as housing for Jews during World War II and a prison for young delinquents over the years before opening in its current iteration in 2023 – so expect a slight Wes Anderson feel to the joint.

Both hotels will do wonders for your Instagram. The pair are impeccably stylish with funky art, dual-hued walls and warm tones throughout, from vibrant, velvet furniture in the rooms to dark wood panelling in the bar.

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Biggy Bunk rooms are the best bet for kids at Hoxton Lloyd

Which of the Hoxton Hotels Amsterdam lets kids bunk up?

Both Hoxton Hotels Amsterdam cater well for groups of all sizes. The Hoxton was once the mayor’s residence so you can look forward to quirky period features typical of an old canal house. Our room boasts a dramatically high ceiling while elsewhere attic rooms nestle under original beams. If you’re lucky you’ll get a view over the canal thanks to the waterways on both sides of the hotel. ‘Roomy’ and ‘Biggy’ bedrooms suit families best, and baby cots or children’s beds are available upon request.

The Hoxton Lloyd has even more kid-friendly accommodation. The cheery Biggy Bunk rooms are the best bet if you have two or more littlies in – they come equipped with sweet wooden bunks plus a King Size bed, while extras for kids up to 14 can be added. Studios – with sofa beds available – would work well for bigger children.

Both Hoxton hotels dish out a Tiny Hox kit for anyone travelling with babies – think a welcome bag, colouring book and coloured pencils – and a cot with Naturalmat organic mattress comes as standard. You can also get bottle warmers, nappies and wipes, nappy bins, a fridge for milk and additional food storage, shower anti-slip mat, baby bath, bathing toiletries, and family-friendly games to play in your room.

There’s surprisingly limited wardrobe space but TVs are large and beds comfortable. Tea and coffee with a kettle come as standard – ideal for Brits eager for a brew – but there are no night light options to stave off fears of the dark or facilitate midnight nips to the loo.

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Both Hoxton Hotels Amsterdam dish out a Tiny Hox kit

Hoxton Hotels Amsterdam fuel up kids for sightseeing

Both Hoxton Hotels Amsterdam also offer kids’ menus boasting all the classics and a free Little’uns Breakfast Bag is included for families, so little stomachs will be well fuelled up for their culture hit.

The Hoxton restaurant Lotti’s serves up seasonal fare and classics at dinner and is generous with veggies (“Hooray!” we hear the kids cry) but the eatery comes a cropper at breakfast. Items are forgotten and/or run out and we’re served the most emaciated breakfast tea I’ve ever seen. The service – offered solely by young staff – is also infuriatingly dozy.

It’s not much more switched on in The Hoxton Lloyd, alas, but the restaurant opens up onto a garden area where youngsters can run off steam as grown-ups wait for action. Decompress with a drink in Barbue, The Hoxton Lloyd’s Argentina-style cocktail bar. Back at the start of the 20th century, this was the ticket office for Royal Holland Lloyd, selling emigration voyages to those about to cross the oceans to start their lives afresh in South America.

If you’re faced with “I’m hungry” wails outside of mealtimes, a perk of all Hoxton hotels is that drinks and snacks can be bought at Reception at supermarket prices should you need to stock up without trekking outside.

Hoxton Hotels Amsterdam kids menus keeps little tummies full

What to see and do with children in Amsterdam

For those eager to explore all that Amsterdam has to offer during their stay at either of the Hoxton Hotels Amsterdam, equipping yourself with an I amsterdam City Card is a savvy choice. It grants visitors complimentary access to all major attractions and over 70 museums, along with such perks as a canal cruise, bike rental and unrestricted use of city-wide public transportation. We find it a breeze to hop on the Eurostar from London, and leaving Amsterdam’s central station, it’s a quick, simply journey into the heart of the city.

With the City Card, you can freely wander in and out of museums without fretting over escalating expenses or boredom complaints. We particularly enjoy visiting the Resistance Museum for an enlightening glimpse into the WWII German occupation of Amsterdam, complete with interactive displays and personal narratives to captivate young minds.

Must-visit spots in Amsterdam include the renowned Rijksmuseum, brimming with iconic artworks, model ships and can-I-have-one dollhouses, as well as the Van Gogh Museum. Both venues cater admirably to children, offering interactive experiences such as the Family Quest at the former and clue hunts at the latter.

For a unique outing, consider visiting ARTIS-Micropia, the world’s first microbe museum, or the NEMO Science Museum, where kids can play scientist while conducting experiments. Seeking outdoor adventures? Klimbos Fun Forest delivers tree-top escapades for adventurous youngsters, while animal enthusiasts can observe lion feedings at Artis Zoo.

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