THERE is a particular kind of energy to East London on a sunny day. The streets, laid out in the tight industrial grid fill with locals spilling out of pubs, queueing at market stalls and weaving between galleries and little shops. It’s exciting, but it can also quickly become overwhelming.
Which is exactly why Hart Shoreditch feels so well-placed: a short walk from Old Street Station, with Spitalfields, the Truman Brewery and a selection of brilliant local spots all within the reach, providing us with a peaceful refuge from all the craziness.
Room at Hart Shoreditch
Housed in a 19th-century building which used to be a warehouse and showroom for cabinetmakers Hart & Co, the hotel takes its name from its predecessors and when strolling through the corridors you can feel its history echoing through the interiors.
Exposed concrete walls and a copper staircase are softened by plush furnishings and the warm light falling from bespoke geometric chandeliers. The large lobby is filled with the quiet murmur of guests talking, some enjoying an afternoon drink at the hotel bar, others sending last-minute emails at the long communal desk.Â
Our room is a junior suite on the second floor, industrial touches surround us from the moment we drop our overnight bag on the large bed. The tall copper-leafed bedside mirrors and low-hanging pendant lights set against a cream fluffy rug create a cosy atmosphere – an invite to unwind and relax, sitting in a fluffy robe. Each floor of the hotel features a hydration station, which feels like a thoughtful touch, especially as someone who tends to always run out of drinking water in record time.
Room details at Hart Shoreditch
UBA Hotel Bar
Before we settle in for a well-deserved rest, we decide to grab a few bites and a nightcap at the hotel’s UBA bar. The restaurant, which occupies most of the ground floor, draws guests from all over the capital for delicious East Asian flavours and is usually busy in the evenings with large groups of friends enjoying a meal out in the heart of East London. The option to order from a slightly reduced menu at the hotel bar feels perfect on a day when we’re not quite in the mood to face a busy restaurant, offering us a much quieter and calmer experience instead.
Selection of dishes from UBA
We start with spicy edamame, which disappears as quickly as it arrives – our appetites heightened by the slight tingling of the garlic and chilli coat. Next comes crispy Korean chicken, which we devour dipping it in honey kimchi sauce. Our dim sum selection includes juicy prawn and chives, aromatic seafood with ginger and open dumplings with minced chicken, the flavours complimenting each other as we soak each one in a mixture of sesame oil and soy sauce.
As we drift back to our room I’m pleasantly surprised how peaceful and quiet Hart feels. Despite sitting in one of the busiest areas in London, I feel shielded from the sounds of the street. I submerge into the soft, white sheets and start drifting away immediately, ready to seize another day in the neighbourhood.
by Olga Petrusewicz
To book visit here
61 – 67 Great Eastern St
London EC2A 3HU