This stylish, design-led hotel offers a welcome retreat within the heart of buzzy East London

By Cheryl Caira. Lead image: the Lobby Bar

First impressions

Strolling into Hart Shoreditch’s reception area, tucked away within the hubbub of Great Eastern Street, the feeling is friendly – mixed with the distinct suspicion that if you take a seat in the adjoining bar area, you’ll be surrounded by some discerningly cool clientele. The hotel has a roster of DJs spinning from Thursday to Saturday, curating a must-attend ambience. If you have a penchant for people-watching, the hotel’s bar is a prime spot – handcrafted cocktail in hand, of course. 

Thoughtful decor details

Intriguing interiors  

Part of Curio Collection by Hilton, the quirky interiors reflect the area’s crafting heritage, and it’s a real joy to wander next to the Lobby Bar and look at the array of thoughtful, decorative pieces on the shelves. London’s East End was – and still is – a hub of manufacturers and makers, and ironwork mingles with ceramics, a mini gramophone, artwork and books paying homage to local legends and industry. There’s also a permanent installation on show – ’Verrier’, a partnership with industrial designer Rezzan Hasoglu. It’s an absorbing mix of hand-blown glass suspended from iron, and also a nod to the artisans who shaped 17th-century Spitalfields. 

Cosy and relaxing guest rooms

Cosy haven

Hart Shoreditch’s 126 rooms have been impeccably envisioned, with the kind of intuitive design that makes any stay effortless for guests. London-based Fabled Studio contemplated the building’s history of craftsmanship before devising a theme for the interiors – the previous occupants were a family of cabinetmakers in the 1800s, called the Harts. Texture and carefully chosen details are king, with burnt orange and copper accents, striking rugs, saddle-stitched leather, and woven lace etchings and patterns which reference the area’s skilled silkweavers.  

Sink into the bed super-comfortable beds and pop on your soundtrack of choice for relaxation – who can resist a sleek-looking Marshall sound system? The rooms feel at the top end of luxurious for their price point, with beautifully appointed bathrooms, plush batthrobes and toiletries from Soapsmith – a British bath and bodycare brand with fragrances inspired by East London neighbourhoods. All the rooms have inviting desks if you need to do a bit of work, a Nespresso coffee machine and tea-making facilities. If you’re looking to elevate your experience, the King Skylight Suite is a gorgeous hideaway, with a snug window seat for perusing the comings and goings of Shoreditch. There’s also a spacious living area where you can kick back and watch a film, and plenty of bespoke design pieces on display to keep you occupied.

Delicious dishes at UBA

Delectable dim sum

If I could repeat this experience weekly, I would. Descend the wrought-iron staircase from the lobby, and you’ll find UBA – a pan-Asian treat with sultry decor and an alluring ambience. Filled at the weekends with hotel guests and locals in the know, the menu choices are varied and seal the deal when it comes to flavourful cuisine. The dim sum sampling was a highlight – particularly the prawn har gow and beef gyoza with tasty-tangy ponzu. Sushi aficionados won’t go hungry, with inventive choices including a seared salmon belly maki with asparagus and chipotle mayo, and a California roll with Cornish crab and lobster miso. 

The taco options – mostly ceviches – are a nice touch, while the buns are also a must-try. Adding spice kimchi mayo to a buttermilk chicken katsu bun was definitely an excellent culinary decision. If you’re looking for a more robust portion and some traditional robatayaki, there are grilled veggie and meaty options to choose from – a miso black cod is always difficult to resist, though. There are some quality sakes on offer for any palate, and a cocktail menu with evocative descriptions and a flavour journey through East Asia – whether you want to imagine the sun setting over Mount Fuji or exploring the meandering streets of Beijing.

Nightly rates at Hart Shoreditch start from £207 on a room-only basis. For more information, visit hartshoreditch.com