Shoreditch in London is known – sometimes disparagingly – as hipster central, which some take to mean style over substance. But this hotel had both in spades.
After walking under an original Banksy on the way in, it’s up two neon-lit escalators to a wide open check-in desk with a huge pop art piece overhead.
This is not like checking into the Premier Inn, the last hotel I visited…
We were whisked up to the ninth floor to our room, which came with floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows giving amazing views across the City of London and out to central London.
A quick room checklist – coffee table books, coffee machine, record player (and records!), huge telly, massive shower… it was a great space to relax after a 20,000 step day taking in Hampstead Heath and central London.
We had decided rather than head central, we would go north west to leafy Hampstead. After a stroll round the shops – all unsurprisingly lovely – and a failed bid to spot Harry Styles (it’s his manor), we headed up to Parliament Hill for breaktaking views across the capital (spotting a kingfisher and parakeets along the way).
We did eventually succumb to the lure of the West End, taking in Liberty and more before heading back to the hotel.
After taking in the night views, we headed down to the super-sleek restaurant – dark walls, dark floor, low lighting, cool tunes – looking forward to eating, having scanned the menu in advance. On the way down we took a peak at the sleek first-floor bar – on a day with more time, we’d’ve grabbed a couple of the stools and worked out way through the cocktail list. But hunger was calling and we went straight to eat.
There was lots to tempt – think veal and n’duja meatballs, Wiener schnitzel, monkfish and more. But I had my eyes firmly on the Josper grill – a charcoal-fired oven that creates memorable meats with amazing sears.
My choice was the 8oz Charolais ribeye with green peppercorn sauce, my wife went for the half a roast chicken with garlic and red onion jus.
Now I do not often order steak at reataurants, following the rule that also applies to Sunday roasts – I can nearly always do it better at home.
But this was the exception to the rule – succulent, juicy, seared beautifully deep brown – a steak that shot straight into my top three of all time. The peppercorn sauce was the perfect foil and there was just enough to dredge the crunchy fries through. We were both full but – obviously – ordered a dessert anyway.
We had the choux with mango and basil – fresh, light, just what we needed – helped along with a delicious pudding wine.
In the morning we planned to head out to explore the area around the hotel, specifically to track down more Banksys. But before we went – and down to our mistake – we ended up temporarily stuck in the top-floor gym. It made our ninth-floor views seem average and would be an amazing place to work out. A kindly member of staff helped us out and – via the event space the floor below – we found our way out.
It’s a really interesting part of the city to walk around as you can turn off a pretty busy main route and find yourself on a charming side street, full of historical buildings, interesting architecture and amazing-looking coffee shops. There’s also endless choices for eating and drinking all within a stone’s throw of the hotel.
We soon found ourselves wandering down Rivington Street trying to find two Banksys – Guard Dog and His Master’s Voice and Designated Graffiti Area. And after a couple of false starts there they were, tucked away in a courtyard (both behind Perspex to preserve them). There was plenty more street art to admire all around, Banksy or not, and we whiled away some time before heading for home.
If you’re heading to London for the weekend, it’s a great part of the city, with lots to explore and discover. And if street art’s your thing, it’s a banker.
- We stayed at art’otel, Rivington Street, London, EC12 3DT. Rooms available from circa £160 and above.