The East London Hotel
BACKGROUND Open since October last year, this is property developer Definition Capital’s first foray into hospitality.
W H AT ’ S IT LIKE? There is nothing superfluous in the concept behind the East London Hotel, which cuts out the parts of a hotel’s offering that travellers don’t really need to enhance the quality of those that they do for a lower price.
The six-storey building has a contemporary black-brick exterior with most of the ground floor given over to the bar, which enjoys plenty of natural light thanks to its corner position and large windows. The “reception” is also here, comprising userfriendly self-service machines and a staff member on hand if you need assistance. This space sets the tone for the rest of the hotel, with the flooring a hip combination of poured grey resin and parquet, the underlit bar finished with patterned tiles, and mid century-style furniture in mixed materials.
WHERE IS IT? In east London’s Bethnal Green, which is one stop from Liverpool Street station on the Central line. The area is home to an increasingly tempting array of trendy bars and restaurants.
ROOMS The 161 rooms range from 11 sqm to 24 sqm in size and come in categories including Standard Double and Twin, and Premium Double Accessible. Basement rooms are windowless but a lightbox makes a good fist of preventing them from feeling bleak.
My fourth-floor Standard Double had a pleasant view of the V&A Museum of Childhood and gardens over the road. The colour scheme was a palatable mix of deep blue-green and white walls, dark wood veneer and light wood flooring. About half of the room footprint was taken up by the bed, which had a bespoke pocket-sprung mattress by Millbrook. Because the bed was against the wall, couples would have to clamber over one other to get out, but there was a useful ledge on which to place a phone or glass of water.
The room also came equipped with free wifi, a 43-inch smart
TV, a Nespresso machine and complimentary bottled water.
There was ample storage for a couple of days, with space beneath the bed for luggage and shoes, and, instead of a wardrobe, a few hangers inside a dark wood frame, under which was a pull-out ledge with plug sockets and a USB port. This could feasibly be used to work on, although it was quite small and low – you’d be better off using the surface beside the window where the coffee machine was stationed or, preferably, taking your laptop down to the bar. Rooms don’t have phones – instead, you communicate with the hotel via Whatsapp on your own mobile.
The good-sized shower room had a luxury feel thanks to a chic grey and white scheme, monsoon shower and Rituals toiletries in pump tubes.
FOOD AND DRINK The hotel doesn’t have a full restaurant, although the convivial, light-filled bar serves small plates – I had smoked salmon from an east London smokehouse along with a rosewater fizz cocktail. There is a reasonably priced breakfast menu of topped bagels, overnight oats, pastries and good coffee.
LEISURE No in-house facilities, although nearby are the London Buddhist Centre for meditation and yoga, and York Hall Leisure Centre, which has a pool, gym and spa.
MEETINGS No dedicated facilities, but an informal catch-up could be held in the bar.
VERDICT Yet another good addition to the London hotel scene, offering comfort and quality with a sophisticated feel in a dynamic location that provides access to both the “real” London and key business areas.
There is nothing superfluous in the concept behind this hotel