What is a Moxy hotel? Everything you need to know about Marriott’s budget brand

Launched in 2014, Moxy is one of Marriott’s youngest and fastest-growing brands with over 130 Moxy hotels now open worldwide, including five in New York and three around London.

UK sites include London (Excel, Heathrow, Stratford), Manchester, Aberdeen Airport, Edinburgh Airport, Birmingham (NEC), Glasgow (SEC, city centre), Bristol, Chester, Slough, Southampton and York.

In this article – another in our occasional series of overviews of the major global hotel brands – we look at the history of Moxy hotels, what you can expect when you stay at a Moxy, future openings and a list of all our Moxy reviews.

The Moxy website is here.

History of Moxy hotels

As mentioned above, Moxy is one of the newest brands to join the Marriott portfolio, with the first hotel near Milan Malpensa airport opening in 2014.

Moxy was launched as a partnership between Marriott and IKEA to develop Marriott’s first three-star ‘economy’ brand. When first announced Marriott was very clear that IKEA was just an early investor and that the hotels would not be furnished with IKEA furniture!

Whilst Moxy hotels may be categorised as an affordable option they aren’t trying to be boring. Guest rooms are “functional and well designed,” with the brand getting particularly creative in public spaces such as the bar-lobby-lounge area.

To keep prices low, rooms are compact, often with small bathrooms and basic amenities such as all-in-one shampoo body wash. ‘Low’ is also relative when it comes to price – you can easily pay $300 per night in New York at the moment.

Moxy Hotels branding

Marriott categorises Moxy hotels as ‘distinctive select’, describing the brand as “With cosy rooms and social spaces, Moxy offers a fun experience at the right price.”

If Marriott’s collaboration with IKEA had you worried about zingy blue and yellow rooms fear not: the brand has focussed on industrial design in neutral colours such as brown leather and light wood with the occasional pink accent.

Fundamentally, Moxy hotels are aimed at more price-conscious travellers who still want to stay in a lively hotel with playful designs.

The good news is that Moxy has been part of Marriott Bonvoy from the outset, and you can earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points at Moxy Hotels worldwide. Our guide to the Marriott Bonvoy program is here.

What you can expect at a Moxy hotel

Moxy is one of Marriott’s more distinguishable hotel brands, with plenty of elements that set it apart from the other 30 (yes 30!) brands Marriott operates.

For example, you won’t be checking in at a reception desk but at the bar, often with a complimentary cocktail to keep you, erm, hydrated.

In fact, the whole lobby-bar area has been transformed into a colourful live and workspace, with areas for lounging, a game of table tennis or big boardroom table perfect for working from. With smaller rooms, Moxy has made a distinct effort to create a lobby area you’ll want to hang out it, whether it’s time for work or play.

Rooms are, admittedly, small, with a 30% – 50% smaller footprint than most hotels but that’s where the affordable part of the brand kicks in. Amenities are basic – you won’t get a coffee machine or a walk-in wardrobe. There’s under-bed storage and hangers along the wall; if you’re lucky you get a small desk, but that’s basically it.

The good news is that the basics are done well, with comfortable bed with automatic under-bed lighting for when you get up at night, plus a big TV complete with casting.

You get a walk-in shower complete with MUK all-in-one toiletries (see photo below).

When it comes to dining opportunities it comes down to where the Moxy is located. In Europe, most Moxy hotels offer the bare minimum, with a bar and a grab-and-go mart.

In the United States, you’ll find Moxy hotels feature a greater range of restaurants, cafes and bars – with many featuring rooftop bars with amazing views, such as the Moxy Chelsea in New York City.

Future openings

Moxy hotels continues to expand aggressively, with the addition of Moxy Williamsburg and Moxy Lower East Side in New York City opening later this year. Joining them are Moxys in Glasgow, Amiens, Paris East and Pompei.

Our Moxy hotel reviews

We have reviewed a number of Moxy hotels in recent years – take a look.

---

How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (April 2024)

There are various ways of earning Marriott Bonvoy points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

The official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card comes with 20,000 points for signing up, 2 points for every £1 you spend and 15 elite night credits per year.

You can apply here.

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points by converting American Express Membership Rewards points at the rate of 2:3.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Marriott Bonvoy Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.  We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:

• American Express Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

and for small business owners:

• American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Business Platinum (40,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Marriott Bonvoy points is 2:3.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Marriott Bonvoy points. 

(Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)