Looking for the best Hackney hotels? We’ve got you covered with this guide to the best places to stay in the cool east London borough.
It’s no secret that Hackney is one of our favourite areas of London – it’s filled with culturally diverse yet community-led residents, loads of quirky things to do, and some of the capitals best eats.
So, it makes sense that it’s also one of the best places to stay during a visit to London – but finding the best hotels can be a mammoth task.
Don’t fret if you’re looking to visit this vibey spot, these are the best hotels in Hackney for every budget…
Best Hackney Hotels: At a Glance
| Best Hackney Hotels – Top Picks | Hotel |
| Best Overall Hotel | The Brownswood |
| Best Hotel for Luxury | The Composer Loft |
| Best Hotel for Uniqueness | CitizenM London |
| Best Hotel for Affordability | The Dictionary Hostel |
Best Hotels in Hackney
The Old Ship Inn Hackney
££
Unique in its offerings, the Old Ship Inn is a dream for those looking to stay in Hackney, with its bare-brick appeal and solid black facade. Upstairs you’ll find traditional rooms, each comfortably sized, en-suite, and with spectacular views.
Downstairs in this Hackney Wick Hotel, the bar is decorated in industrial lighting and painted brick walls. You can enjoy a range of craft beers, cocktails, and a healthy variety of red and white wines. All of which pair perfectly with the hotel’s famous rotisserie chicken and burgers.
If you’re more interested in sightseeing, you’ll be happy to find out that the inn is just minutes away from Hackney Town Hall, an award-winning event and wedding venue.
Looking for hotels near Hackney Wick Station? This one is situated closeby, so you’ll have no trouble travelling around the city.
The Brownswood Pub & Guesthouse
££
Another more traditional offering in Hackney is The Brownswood – it’s an ideal guesthouse boasting colourful wallpapers and furniture accents.
The boutique rooms are light and spacious, each adorned by striking blue carpet. Though, if elegance is your thing, make sure to request room two, which boasts a large bathtub right in the middle of the room.
The guesthouse has built up quite a following for it’s excellent breakfast, whilst the pub spans over two floors and offers a wide selection of beers, ciders, and wines, all sourced from local breweries and vineyards.
The guesthouse is nearby to Emirates Stadium, where you can catch the latest Arsenal match or visit the King’s Cross Theatre, only 6 km away. The theatre offers various shows, from cabaret to musicals, ballet, opera, and award-winning plays.
Mama Shelter
££
Mama Shelter in Shoreditch is a remarkable boutique hotel in Hackney with three sizes of rooms, from the small comfortable rooms, perfect for couples, to the larger, more spacious rooms which cater for couples or people sharing.
Each room is designed with 70s-revivalist decor full of bold shapes and vibrant colours adorning floors, windows and soft furnishings, while the Looney-Toons masks hanging in almost every corner of every room are a fun addition.
While the decor might remind you of 70s cult classics such as Angela’s Party, the international menu brings a modern flavour of global cuisine to your plate.
We think the undoubted jewels in the Mama Shelter crown are the stunning karaoke rooms, complete with vintage Motown-era microphones. You and up to fourteen friends can spend the evening getting your Diana Ross on and belting out banger after banger without any complaints from neighbours!
Redchurch Townhouse
££
This astonishing complex from the Soho House group at Redchurch Townhouse in Shoreditch is an enticing and captivating place to stay, meet friends and work.
The stylishly decorated range of rooms ranges from the Tiny room, which includes a king-size bed and vintage en-suite shower, to the Small Plus, which also provides guests with a small balcony.
Whichever you choose, you’ll be able to pretend you’re on a movie set.
Other impressive features of this beautiful hotel include a restaurant on the fifth floor, another on the rooftop, and a rooftop heated pool open all year round. In addition, there’s a sitting room with a stack of art books, board games, papers and space to work, and the cosy Square bar serves a range of drinks and cocktails.
Guests can gain significant discounts on rooms by becoming Soho House members. Membership also offers discounts and access to their event spaces, including the Library and vintage art-deco style screening room. We’re convinced anyone seduced by movie-star style will find themselves weak at the knees when visiting Redchurch Townhouse.
Kip Hotel
£
Although Kip Hotel, a stone’s throw from Hackney Central station, is a budget option, don’t think they’re compromising on comfort or style. The rooms come designed in a stylish monochrome that immediately relaxes the senses after a noisy day visiting the tourist-heavy sites of London.
Comfortable rooms are available in a range of sizes – from the KipCabin, a small single room with shared bathroom facilities and no window, through the SuperSingle right through to family rooms, studios, and even a penthouse.
All rooms come with full WiFi, while the communal spaces showcase the stunning creations of local artists. Guests can use the hotel’s free fixie bike hire scheme to explore all Hackney and its surrounding areas have to offer.
Fans of low-cost, high-comfort nights will marvel at just how much bang Kip offers for your pound coin.
CitizenM London
£££
The striking CitizenM London is a glass-walled building situated in the Shoreditch district – and we think it’s one of the best hotels near Hackney.
Rooms are white and bright, though not dull in the slightest. In fact, these rooms operate on a contactless system, allowing you to switch the lights on and off as well as set the perfect ambiance using the mood lights.
In contrast to the rooms, the hotel’s bar is a vibrant space with red, blue, and white elements. The retro-inspired decor features industrial-style furniture and art-decor pendant lights.
The same goes for the hotel’s multiple conference rooms, shared workstations, and open-sky porch encircled by the hotel.
Grab some souvenirs at the gift shop or take a walk down to Brick Lane Market or the Old Spitalfields Market. CitizenM is truly in the heart of London; while staying there, you’ll have access to the Liverpool Street Station and London Stansted Airport, which are directly linked.
St Christopher’s Backpackers Hostel
£
When it comes to cheap hotels in Hackney, St Christopher’s hostel is near perfect. Okay, so it’s a hostel, but it’s a great pit spot for backpackers making their way through London. Or anyone wanting to save a wad of cash.
The hostel is housed inside a Georgian-style exterior that completely contrasts what’s inside – namely colourful wall graphics, a game room, a vibrant bistro, and even a nightclub.
The hostel offers a variety of moderately-designed dormitories with private bathrooms and a range of capsule and bunk beds. This spot is also integrated with Belushi’s bar and restaurant, serving smash burgers, cocktails, and live sports streaming.
Situated just 900 metres away from Hoxton Square, you can explore the neighbourhood, eating at one of the local pubs and restaurants before chilling out on the lush green Hoxton lawn. Or, hop on a train at Hackney Wick and explore a different area of the capital.
Keep in mind that this hostel is popular with partygoers, so it might not be the best option if you’re looking to get up early and explore East London.
The Composer Loft
£££
The Composer Loft is a contemporary one-bedroom apartment with an open concept living and kitchen area. The loft has a coastal vibe, featuring indoor plants, baby-blue kitchen cabinets, and exposed steel beams, giving it that authentic Hackney industrial look.
The apartment also has a white piano, a vinyl collection, and a romantic garden space, which makes it perfect for a couple’s getaway. Though, the loft is also pet-friendly and allows pet parents to bring their fur babies along.
Location-wise, this apartment is brilliant. Situated nearby Victoria Park, which is a dreamy spot for walks and picnics, as well as the ultra-cool Brick Lane where you can explore indie shops, bars, and Indian restaurants.
Boundary London
£££
The Boundary London is a five-star hotel with eclectic furniture and aesthetics. The one-bedroom apartments feature authentic 20th-century decor with modern furnishings layered with contemporary-styled prints.
On the rooftop, you’ll find a trendy bar and grill enclosed by a glass balcony. This space also opens up into the terrace, which features a garden with comfy outdoor seating, a fireplace, and (most importantly) heaters to keep you warm at night.
Indulge in the Boundary rooftop menu’s southern French cuisine and an assortment of grilled meats and fish, then wash it all down with your pick from the wide selection of champagne, wine, and cocktails.
For some sightseeing, the hotel is just 2.7 km away from St Paul’s Cathedral. The church features one of the largest domes in the world, sitting at almost 112 meters high, and an array of spectacular art.
The Dictionary Hostel
£
The Dictionary Hostel is a backpacker’s dream, with double bedrooms available as well as en-suite dormitories equipped with bunk beds and metal storage lockers under each bed. The minimalistic dormitories can sleep four to sixteen people.
Wake up to a classic English breakfast, specialty coffee, and fresh pastries at the hostel’s in-house cafe. Then grab a bite or a drink at the rock-themed Translate Bar, which connects directly to the hostel.
We think that this is one of the best value hostels in Hackney – and one of our favourites in London.
Located just metres away from Shoreditch High Street, you’ll have no trouble club-hopping or trying out local cuisine from the best Shoreditch restaurants.
The Hoxton Shoreditch
££
The Hoxton is a contemporary-style hotel with rustic elements like leather furniture and exposed brickwork. Each of the 210 rooms in this London Hackney hotel has industrial-inspired designs with parquet wooden floors, signature round mirrors, and monochromatic bathroom finishes.
The Hoxton Grill restaurant, which runs in partnership with Soho House Group, serves American-style cuisine from breakfast to dinner – we recommend dipping in for a cocktail or two in the evening.
Other amenities you can enjoy at Hoxton include an outdoor courtyard, a bar, and a big lobby suitable for coffee dates, meetings, or reading books.
The Hoxton is only a 5-minute walk from Old Street Tube Station, connecting you to most of London’s top attractions.
Mondrian Shoreditch
£££
An exquisite five-star hotel in the heart of trendy Shoreditch, the Mondrian combines peak elegance with outstanding comfort, luxury, and top-class amenities at a price that won’t break the bank.
Boasting 120 stunning rooms and suites, the Curtain Hotel hosts world-renowned chef Dani Garcia’s culinary experience. Meanwhile, Christina’s cafe and cocktail bar offer guests drink using locally sourced ingredients all day.
Additional amenities include a gym that’s open 24/7, and we love the stunning rooftop terrace, with its outdoor pool and unrivaled views across London’s iconic skyline.
Where to Stay in Hackney: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Area to Stay in Hackney Borough?
The most famous district in the borough of Hackney is Shoreditch. Known for its hip street culture, specialty restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, Shoreditch is where you go for a good time.
It also helps that the district is conveniently located on Shoreditch High Street railway station, connecting it to most of London.
What is Hackney Known For?
Hackney is known for its vibrant nightlife. The borough boasts a series of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs like Hackney Wick and XOYO.
Is Hackney Worth Visiting?
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: There’s no London borough as fun as Hackney – you’ll get the chance to experience the area’s trendy market culture during your stay, where all the creatives and young entrepreneurs come to sell their crafts and mingle with the locals, as well as the extensive nightlife options.
Practical Tips to Consider Before Booking Your Hackney Accommodation
- Hackney has a vibrant nightlife, with clubs, pubs, and scenic restaurants. You may want to stay on a quieter street like Johnson Close if you would rather avoid the noise.
- A lot of Hackney’s industrial infrastructure has been repurposed into coffee shops, galleries, and market venues. We really recommend heading out on walks to discover these hidden gems.
- Hackney has excellent transport links into the centre of London by bus and tube. Liverpool Street is a mainline station that links London with Essex and East Anglia, as well as access to the Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City and Circle Underground lines. Meanwhile, Hackney Central and Hackney Wick stations lie on the London Overground network.
