I was beginning to think finding a London hotel room that was both good and affordable was turning into an art form. Believe me, I’ve given it a good go. You see, I’m good at missing my last train home and I don’t really have any friends who’ll give me a sofa to sleep on. Plus I’m really, really tight. But now I know where I’ll be staying when I’ve had a lager-top too many, because this new-ish Whitechapel hotel is a corker.
And yes, yes, the smashed bus-stop glass a few metres from the entrance was a reminder that this part of town isn’t exactly Richard Curtis’s idea of London, but really, the location is great. You’re right at the end of Brick Lane, which means Spitalfields, Shoreditch and the City are basically on your doorstep, and you’ve got good transport links from Aldgate East, which means exploring London is pretty easy.
And really, those prices are excellent – for them, it’s a high-spec hotel, slickly run. You’re bagging a bargain even if you stay in one of the suites (complete with very spacious balconies overlooking the City), and the cheapest rooms are very affordable, especially with the quality this high. It’s a polished hotel from a brand that knows what it’s doing. Oh, and special mention to the superb in-house restaurant and bar, Zoom East – which looks, on our visit, like a bit of a destination spot already.
The neighbourhood: Ignore its Jack the Ripper past, Whitechapel is a great place to explore, even if we’re not 100 percent sold on the rights-of-passage Brick Lane curry houses nearby (some great, some not so). The area’s history is rich – from socialist publishing houses to stands against British fascism and depressingly heavy damage in the Blitz.
Nearby: As nearby you can get is Zoom East restaurant and bar, serving high-quality Sicilian food and killer cocktails downstairs by the hotel lobby. World-class art is on show at Whitechapel Gallery, just two minutes down the road, and Tayyabs, still the best place in London for Punjabi cuisine, is an easy walk, too.
Time Out tip: Make sure you book a table at Zoom East – whether you decide to stay here or not. The costolette di Agnello (grilled lamb cutlets with lamb croquettes and lamb jus) is excellent.