Go east for the capital of cool and culture
The vibrant East End is a cosmopolitan and good value destination for a London city break with a difference,
UNLESS on our way to Wembley, we Mancunians have a habit of carrying straight on south when we arrive at Euston to visit the bright lights of London.
There is a natural momentum as we head from the platform, across the jam-packed concourse and on the escalator to the Tube, down to the Northern line and into the West End.
Next time, slam on the breaks and turn left. I am saying Go East.
Now I know what you’re thinking... Albert Square, Pete at the market, Dot Cotton in the launderette, Ethel and little Willie (I may be behind the plot lines here, I haven’t seen EastEnders for a while). Fear not. You know how we all look at Corrie and say, “the North is absolutely NOWT like that!” Well it’s the same with Walford.
There may be a part of the East End where every day is beyond miserable in half hour slots but it is certainly not to be found in the vibrant London of Liverpool Street, Spitalfield Market and Brick Lane. The place is buzzing with life and teeming with possibilities.
And don’t just make it a day trip before heading back to some gloomy tourist hotel in the West End. There are some brilliant places to stay, with the Andaz Hotel coming straight out of the top drawer.
The Andaz is a five-star boutique hotel. It has all the class of the best West End hotels but none of the stuffiness. It is also very good value in comparison.
The hotel is close to Liverpool Street station so the easiest way there is to grab the Tube from Euston Square or King’s Cross-St Pancras.
It is housed within the grand confines of the 19th century Great Eastern Hotel but inside it is very much 21st century.
To begin at the beginning, there is no check-in desk. A member of the team will greet you, have a chat and sort out all the details on an iPad over a welcome drink in the comfort of the Andaz lounge.
The stylish space has a ‘Wall of Mirrors’ with ever-changing art and design installations to evoke the hotel’s locale.
Art and the local area play a key theme in the hotel. We stayed in one of four rooms decorated by London street artists who have captured the vibrancy of the East End, the variety of cultures represented, plus the heritage of the Pearly Kings and Queens.
It is great fun and nice to put your head down next to an original work of art.
This being a five-star hotel, the rooms come with designer Eames furniture, super plush beds, large LCD plasma screens and an iPod docking station.
As part of the ‘home from home’ experience you also get free wi-fi, soft drinks, juices, water, snacks and unlimited local landline phone calls.
There is plenty to see within a few minutes’ walk of the hotel, which is currently offering street art tours of the area as part of a weekend package.
The Andaz has teamed up with creative agency SideStory to offer two packages – Street Art and Photography – including a weekend stay plus a tour of the neighbourhoods bordering the hotel.
Each tour, designed for small groups, allows guests to explore street art with a resident expert and artist – unveiling the many layers of graffiti writing and get introduced to the key artists and galleries.
Guests will learn to recognise the different street writing techniques and vocabulary, from ‘bombers,’ ‘tags’ to ‘burners’ and discover its many forms from social commentary to advertising industry-inspired street typography.
SideStory Photography Experience equips guests with the technical skills and creative sensibility to take better photographs on the move.
But you mustn’t take pictures inside Spitalfields Market, a short walk from the hotel.
This is where aspiring clothes designers showcase their wares and they are not keen on having their designs copied. But you might stumble on the next catwalk queen or king.
Further along is the multicultural feast that is Brick Lane. Come armed with an appetite as there is an amazing choice of places to eat.
A further feast for the eyes and stomach can be found on Saturday mornings at Borough Market, South London’s premier wholesale and retail food market. It is a five-minute cab ride from the hotel.
Nearby Columbia Road flower market is also a delight. Head there on Sunday mornings to see the blooms at their best.
If you have energy left after the day’s adventures, the hotel has a really well-equipped health club.
If you are in greater need of gin than the gym, the Catch Bar and Lounge does a great range of cocktails before dinner in the hotel’s Japanese restaurant Miyako.
Best of all is brunch in the hotel’s Eastway restaurant. The hardcore among you might enjoy their famous Bloody Marys.
All in all, this detour to the East of London is well worth the effort.