Kingsland Locke, London
Kraft restaurant is a brilliant concept bringing together a microbrewery, a gin company and cuisine from Le Bab
BACKGROUND
Open since May, this is the eighth outpost for the design-focused aparthotel brand Locke, which has properties in the UK, Ireland and Germany. It is part of the Edyn group, which also includes Saco serviced apartments.
WHAT’S IT LIKE?
The new-build draws inspiration from its surroundings and is aimed at younger business travellers. The design, by Red Deer Architects, features industrial-style elements, bold prints and glass walls that let in light and give the sense of a shared environment. Sustainability is a focus, with eco-friendly amenities and plenty of greenery. To the left of reception is Shaman coffee bar, followed by a co-working area with communal tables, lounge seating and plenty of plug sockets. This space has its own street entrance and an oval bar. Stairs take you down to Kraft restaurant and microbrewery. There’s a gym and laundry room on this level, too. Check-in required a photo ID and credit card, while contactless check-out means you drop off your keys in a box at the desk.
WHERE IS IT?
On Kingsland High Street in Dalston, East London, home to a variety of bars, shops and restaurants. It’s a threeminute walk to Dalston Kingsland London Overground station, or about 15 minutes to Hackney Downs Overground, which is four stops from Liverpool Street station.
ROOMS
The 124 apartments range from compact 19 sqm Loft and City studios to the 37 sqm Kingsland suite. Each has a king bed, a kitchen, an iron, a safe and a yoga mat. Locke studios and above have dishwashers, and one-bedroom suites have washing machines. There’s no phone but you can contact reception via Whatsapp.
My fourth-floor City Studio felt quite narrow, with the kitchen and bathroom facing each other and the bed and small dining table at the far end. A green velvet sofa continued along the wall to become the headboard, which was a good use of space. Other elements could have been designed better, such as the towel rack being right by the toilet in the bathroom.
The room had an interrnal view, with blackout curtains – the soundproofing was not great, however, and I could hear doors shutting at night. While the concrete walls are meant to give a distressed industrial feel, mine appeared run-down, with some water marks. Still, the wifi was fast and free, the smart TV had tips for the area and the room rate included a guidebook to East London.
FOOD AND DRINK
Shaman is a healthconscious café serving grab-and-go items and speciality coffee. It’s a popular spot, with a hatch open to passers-by. There was a bit of a wait for my breakfast at 9am but it was worth it, and the barista was friendly.
Kraft restaurant, is a brilliant concept that brings together brewery German Kraft, sustainable gin company Jim and Tonic and Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine from Le Bab. The space is airy, with a high glass ceiling and lush foliage. It looks into the microbrewery, which makes some good craft beers. QR codes bring up the well-priced menu from Le Bab, which includes sharing plates and posh kebabs.
MEETINGS LEISURE
No dedicated rooms.
There’s a gym – you have to book in advance – and 30-day free access to the workouts on fitness app Fiit.
VERDICT
Kingsland Locke excels with its locally inspired interiors and collaborative communal areas, which include fantastic dining venues and a stylish co-working lounge that transforms into a buzzy bar by night. I was less impressed with the room, which, despite its newness, relied too much on shabby over chic.
BESTFOR
Inventive kebabs and home-brewed beers at Kraft
DON’TMISS
A day’s work in the comfy co-working lounge followed by a well-earned G&T distilled on-site
PRICE
Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in September started from £99 for a City Studio
CONTACT
130 Kingsland High Street; tel +44 (0)330 174 0642; lockeliving.com
The shared living space in the lobby has a large kitchen and plenty of seating designed for working, dining and socialising
BACKGROUND Adagio is a joint venture between Accor and the Pierre and Vacances Center Parcs group. Open since April for essential stays and May to all, this is the brand’s sixth UK property. A London Sutton property is due to open in July 2021.
WHAT’S IT LIKE?
The four-star aparthotel is set in the former London Olympics Athletes Village. Now called East Village, the area is home to more than 2,000 apartments, numerous independent food and drink outlets and hotels such as the Stratford and, opening next March, the Gantry London, Curio Collection by Hilton.
The 16-floor new-build’s design incorporates geometric shapes in teal, pink, grey and blue and contemporary elements that draw inspiration from Stratford’s industrial heritage. Check-in was quick and at check-out you can simply drop your key in a box. To the right of reception is the Circle, a shared living space with a large kitchen, table football and plenty of seating areas designed for working, dining and chatting with fellow guests. Weekly socials take place here. There’s also a “library of objects” from which you can borrow the likes of plants and games for your stay. The hotel has laundry facilities and a car park.
WHERE IS IT?
On Celebration Avenue, just down the road from Westfield Stratford City shopping centre. It’s a two-minute walk to both the DLR, for easy access to London City airport, and Stratford International, which runs six-minute trains to St Pancras International. Stratford station is an eight-minute walk away for the Underground and Overground.
ROOMS
The 136 units are a mix of 26 sqm studios (double or twin bed, on floors one to 11) and 35 sqm one-bedroom apartments for up to four people (levels 12-16). In the studios, the double bed converts into a sofa, giving you more space to work. All have a kitchen with a dishwasher and
Nespresso machine, a table for dining or working, free wifi, a TV that you can pair your devices with, and Keiji bath amenities.
My 14th-floor one-bedroom apartment had a living room with a sofa bed and a dining table for four. There was a safe, plenty of plug sockets and USB points, and blackout curtains. Large glass windows offered views of the Shard and the City in the distance. I had a peaceful night’s sleep.
FOOD AND DRINK
While the apartments are self-catering, you can use the shared kitchen in the lobby area to prepare meals, or purchase snacks and drinks at the small shop next to reception. There’s a Sainsbury’s next door. The hotel intends to offer a buffet breakfast from July (when I stayed in early May I could order a grab-and-go breakfast).
MEETINGS LEISURE
None.
There’s a small gym, or go for a run in nearby Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
VERDICT
A very well-connected aparthotel in a rejuvenated area of
East London that continues to see new developments crop up. The apartments are comfortable, the Circle is an inviting place to work and staff are friendly and approachable. It’s close to London City airport and easy to get into central London.
BESTFOR
A comfy home-away-from-home for experiencing East London’s independent traders and ample parkland
DON’TMISS
Striking up a conversation with fellow guests in the Circle
PRICE
Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in September started from £148 for a double studio
CONTACT
Celebration Avenue Penny Brookes Street; tel +44 (0)20 4524 7900; adagio-city.com