As someone who lives by the sea, staying in London for the weekend always feels like an elaborate occasion. For me, this feeling of excitement doesn’t get old. There’s always a restaurant recommendation to try, exciting exhibition to see or shiny new pop-up to explore, so when I was invited over to One Hundred Shoreditch, East London’s trendiest new hotel opening, even my hardened Londoner colleagues were revelling with jealousy.
Created by the Lore Group, the team behind Sea Containers, this new hotel landed in London just last month and has already begun making waves in the industry.
Home to 258 luxury rooms and suites, an ethical seafood restaurant, a new Mr Lyan cocktail hideout and a pink-hued rooftop, it’s set to be the place to hit this summer. Read on to find out why you should make your way over to Shoreditch to visit…
The Rooms
If there’s one thing you want from a hotel room, it’s comfort. But aside from that, it’s somewhere you can take notes for interior inspiration, and you’ll be glad to know One Hundred Shoreditch ticks both of these boxes exceedingly.
With Shoreditch being so headstrong, it was nice to retreat to this new hotel after a busy day of soaking up the sights and busy pub garden drinks. The bedrooms and suites at the hotel are designed to be your retreat from the vibrancy and energy of the area, home to neutral interiors, comfy bedding and window seating that looks out over the high street.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Shoreditch hotel without some of the lively character living through the rooms, which is where the artwork comes into play. I stayed in one of the Studio Lofts, home to a beautiful tapestry lining the whole wall against the bed, as well as on-trend finishing touches including giant vases, a faux sheepskin furry chair that just about every influencer has and more artwork lining the walls.
Although I usually steer clear of the mini fridge, this one was a delight to peruse through, filled with small treats from the hotel’s local East London neighbours.
After a meal and drinks in their trendy restaurant and Mr Lyan bar, it was nice to head back to the room, bed in for a night of plush comfort and catch-up on some much needed zzz’s.
The Restaurant
Priding itself on ethical sourcing and using local suppliers, Goddard & Gibbs is a British seafood restaurant inspired by the fishing villages and seaside towns spread across England’s coastline. The restaurant champions the best of British seafood, led by head chef Tom Moore.
The interiors are fun and vibrant, with a striking yellow sculpture taking centre stage in the middle of the restaurant, surrounded by boothed seating, marble tables and sunshine yellow accents dotted throughout.
Getting invited to dine at a seafood restaurant and being vegan don’t usually go hand-in-hand, but that’s where Goddard & Gibbs is different from your usual restaurant and wine bar. Their culinary team went above and beyond to make me and my partner feel at ease and well versed in the veggie options, offering a bountiful selection of dishes to try.
We enjoyed a selection of seasonal tempura vegetables with miso sauce, spring onion and sesame; wild garlic risotto with asparagus and pickled baby onion, and I opted for the baked aubergine with miso and tofu. Plus, a selection of glazed heritage carrots, fine beans and shallows and fries to pair with the meal. Everything felt fresh and full of flavour. So often vegan food can be overlooked in a restaurant like this, but we really felt like effort and time had been put into creating dishes that reflected the restaurant’s local supplier ethos.
The restaurant also doubles as the breakfast restaurant come the morning, where our hazy heads couldn’t muster up more than fresh fruits and toast for myself and eggs benedict for my partner. And it’s now since introduced an exciting brunch offering that looks worth checking out too.
The Bar
Even if you aren’t a guest, the Seed Library is well worth checking out. It’s the latest establishment from cocktail maestro, Mr Lyan and his team. Hidden beneath the hotel, the bar acts as a kind of stripped back speakeasy, offering a wealth of delicious and carefully concocted cocktails from their team of mixologists.
It offers a stark contrast to its older sister, Lyaness, with the focus on a more lo-fi, analogue approach to cocktail making. Expect a new take on your favourite classic drinks, including a delicious Sancho Leaf Martini that’s a must-try.
The interiors, designed by Lore Group Creative Director Jacu Strauss, are moody and atmosphere, keeping in line with the lo-fi approach. It features panelled wood and bespoke furniture upholstery in deep orange and red tones.
The Rooftop
Even though The Rooftop isn’t open yet, we couldn’t not include a mention because just one sneak peek of the interiors and we’re already head over heels for the destination.
Set to open up later this summer, the rooftop is set to be the next hit oasis that you won’t want to miss. Think pink marble tables, foliage draped from the ceilings and panoramic views over East London.
Think pink marble tables, foliage draped from the ceilings and panoramic views over East London.
The Vibe
As you’d expect with any East London haunt, the overall vibe is super trendy, offering a welcomed escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. I loved that there’s quite literally something for everyone, whether you’re a true foodie who can’t get enough of seafood, a cocktail lover looking for the latest date night destination to try out or a new rooftop to spend your summer nights on.
Rooms start from £269 incl vat & breakfast (per room per night)
One Hundred Shoreditch Hotel, 100 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, London E1 6JQ
