Small format tiles bring a level of detail to a hallway floor that larger formats simply cannot match, and a hallway is exactly the kind of space where that detail gets noticed every day. A contrasting grout can turn a simple pattern into a proper graphic statement, which is part of why Victorian and encaustic-style designs so often use a smaller scale.
Checkerboard in particular makes a wonderful entrance, and it works just as well in marble or stone effect as it does in the classic black and white. A hallway is the first impression a home makes, so it is worth choosing a floor that carries some real character rather than simply being practical. That said, practicality still matters given the daily traffic hallways see, and tiled surfaces remain durable and easy to keep clean whatever pattern you choose.