THE CURTAIN

45 Curtain Road, EC2A 3PT hotel. qantas.com.au/thecurtainlondon

You’re just as likely to rub shoulders with creatives in jeans and sneakers as suitedand-booted types at this new Shoreditch bolthole, a trilby’s throw from where the Curtain Theatre – an old haunt of William Shakespeare – stood. New York hotelier Michael Achenbaum has brought a Manhattan-warehouse vibe, with the 120 spacious rooms and suites flaunting exposed red-brick walls, Bluetoothconnected Marshall speakers and eclectic art (including depictions of toddler DJs, a gorilla playing with Rubik’s cubes and David Bowie in all his pomp). The steam showers are wonderfully refreshing.

Business facilities You can “work” while browsing Shoreditch’s fastchanging skyline from a deckchair on the terrace of Lido rooftop restaurant. The pick of the events rooms is a 42-seat retreat with a 1.5-metre, 4K screen, leather walls and sofas and a cocktail bar. Wi-fi Complimentary throughout.

Food and drink There’s a taco eatery by the lobby and an offshoot of renowned Harlem restaurant Red Rooster in the basement. Try the fried yard bird or Obama short ribs (apparently the ex-president is a fan). Live gospel music and DJs add to the uplifting atmosphere.

Fitness and wellbeing There’s a new-smelling 24-hour gym with Life Fitness machines, plus a spa.

Run route The hotel’s built-up environs aren’t ideal for running but 1.5 kilometres north is joggerfriendly Shoreditch Park and the towpaths of Regent’s Canal.

Coffee nearby A five-minute walk up the road, Fix 126 (fix-coffee.co.uk) has good coffee and tasty pastries.