Hart Shoreditch Hotel London, Curio Collection by Hilton

BACKGROUND

Hart Shoreditch is the fourth London property for Hilton’s upscale Curio Collection brand, with a fifth, the Gantry, due to be opened soon. It opened in February and a month later had to close because of Covid-19, reopening in August.

WHAT’S IT LIKE?

The five-floor hotel champions the local area, paying homage to the East End’s industrial heritage. Its name is inspired by some of the property’s eponymous former occupants, a family of cabinetmakers in the 1800s. The interiors by Fabled Studio are inspired by the neighbourhood, with nods to craftsmanship and creativity past and present. Mahogany chandelier-like lights in the lobby replicate cabinetmaker’s boxes and copper accents gleam throughout. A one-way system is in place so guests enter via Leonard Street and leave via Great Eastern Street. It is required that you wear a mask when staff-facing, and there are plenty of hand sanitising stations. Check-in was quick and easy, with friendly staff.

WHERE IS IT?

In the heart of Shoreditch, about five minutes’ walk from Old Street Tube station and ten minutes from Liverpool Street station.

ROOMS

The 126 rooms come in nine categories, ranging from the 17 sqm

Queen Guest to the 27 sqm King Superior Corner and three suite types. All are prepared in line with the Hilton Clean Stay programme, with a label clasping the door shut to show that no one has entered since housekeeping, and guests have to opt in for daily servicing of the room. The décor is warm, with a muted palette of white and grey brightened by burnt orange furnishings. Bedside lamps hang from leather straps, while there are a selection of books about the local area. Large windows provide natural light, and noise was never an issue despite the property being on a busy road. The bed was comfortable.

All rooms come with small desks, plenty of USB and plug sockets, mini fridges, tea and coffee facilities, safes and Marshall wireless speakers. King Superior rooms and above also have Nespresso machines. The geometric-tiled bathrooms feature walk-in marble showers or majestic rolltop tubs with showerheads – the bath in my King Superior Corner room overlooked the Shoreditch skyline, with a blind to preserve my privacy, and speakers to listen to music.

FOOD AND DRINK

The hotel’s dining concepts extend beyond London’s East End, drawing inspiration instead from the eastern Mediterranean. Located in the lobby, Turkish-inspired bar Tavla is a homely space, though backgammon, from which the bar draws its Turkish name, seems to have fallen victim to the virus. A QR code brings up a limited menu – so no barrel-aged cocktails. On the same floor lies the restaurant Barboun (“red mullet” in Turkish), from executive chef Hus Vedat, the brains behind Soho’s Hovarda. With Turkish Cypriot head chef Fezile Ozalgan at the helm, Barboun specialises in Levantine cuisine, with flavours drawn from coastal towns. Highlights included beetroot fritters with whipped feta and mint, and the Burma baklava – three gorgeous cigarette filo rolls soaked in cinnamon syrup. It also offers a grab-and-go breakfast service. The hotel is looking to open underground entertainment venue Byrd in the future.

MEETINGS

There are two rooms on the lower ground floor that can be joined together to hold 26 people boardroom-style.

LEISURE

A small gym on the lower ground floor is open to two visitors at a time owing to social distancing rules.

The interiors are inspired by the area, with nods to craftsmanship and creativity past and present

VERDICT

The hotel has successfully navigated reopening amidst the pandemic, taking cleanliness seriously while also providing guests with a friendly, accommodating and thoughtful stay, championing local artisans along the way. The stylish restaurant and bar will attract locals and hotel guests.

BEST FOR

Sharing Levantine plates at Barboun

DON’TMISS

A bath overlooking London’s glistening skyline

PRICE

Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in January started from £94.50 for a Queen Guest room

CONTACT

61-67 Great Eastern Street; +44 (0)20 3995 3655; hartshoreditch.com