HOTEL OF THE WEEK
MONDRIAN Shoreditch London
WHERE AND WHY: Set in the heart of the hipster mecca of Shoreditch in East London, the five-star Mondrian has risen from the ashes of the longestablished Curtain Hotel, which closed mid-lockdown, and is now the chain’s European flagship.
The 120-room hotel is perfectly in tune with its fashionable location, feeling effortlessly cool thanks to exposed brick walls and eye-catching artwork.
Rooms are understated but luxurious. Ours featured a steam shower, which was a real treat. Guests can enjoy breakfast at rooftop restaurant Altitude, while taking in stunning views of the gleaming towers of the City on one side and the graffiti-daubed bohemia of Shoreditch on the other. And if you fancy a post-brekkie dip, it has its own rooftop plunge pool.
ON THE MENU: The Mondrian’s street-level bar, Christina’s, serves a tempting selection of sandos, precisely constructed Japanese sandwiches. It also offers an eclectic cocktail menu, perfect for a pre-dinner tipple before heading to the jewel in the hotel’s culinary crown – BiBo.
The vibrant basement tapas diner is the first London venture of three-Michelin-star chef Dani Garcia. It delivers high-end yet well-priced classics in a casual, buzzy atmosphere. We went for a selection of six tapas plates (ranging from £6 to £18 each).
Standouts were the incredibly tender oxtail in a brioche bun and the glazed aubergine with yoghurt and roasted broccoli.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE:
Nearby Brick Lane, known for its curry houses, is crammed with vintage shops, galleries, bars and restaurants. Spitalfields Market is a stone’s throw away.
WAKE-UP CALL: Rooms at Mondrian Shoreditch London start from £299 a night with breakfast. See mondrianshoreditch.com