I spent over 15 years working in the City of London and arriving at Liverpool Street Station for a staycation at Hart Shoreditch was a full circle moment for me.
On my short 10 minute walk from Liverpool St Station to Hart Shoreditch Hotel, not only did I pass the doorstep of my old office, but I also sauntered past the bars we used to frequent for those deal winning celebration moments and a few steps later the clubs that would have seen me stumble out on a Monday morning! Yes the Shoreditch rave scene is really about Sunday afternoons, if you know you know.
My stay at Hart Shoreditch, part of the Hilton Curio Collection, had my mind buzzing for all the possibilities of the type of stay and traveller that might enjoy this glamorous spot.
25-year-old Emmie
Opening the door to my King Deluxe Room with a dual aspect, city views would have sent 25-year-old Emmie wild! I was as much of a sucker for a city view then as I am now. Maybe I watched too many “Working Girl” movies or growing up in the countryside left me with a desire for a faster pace of life? Either way I squealed when I saw the epic view from the bed of the city’s most iconic skyscrapers.
As golden hour fell, the light in the room played perfectly off the glamourous tinted mirror detailing and luxe velour furnishings. This hotel is sexy and ready for a party, there is no denying that. From the Gucci-esque stirrup light fittings to the all marble bathroom, the rooms are giving luxe bae-cation.
Not that 25-year-old Emmie would have cared. She would have been much more interested in the DJ playing in the lobby, drinking beautiful cocktails from the UBA bar and planning her night out in Shoreditch. You are ideally situated here for rooftop drinks at the newly opened Blue Marlin Ibiza and for underground clubs such as Village Underground or Fabric.
Hart Shoreditch has a relaxed, cool vibe and a 24 hour concierge meaning you can come and go as you please, making it the perfect luxurious bolthole for when you have had enough of the party.
35 year old Emmie
35-year-old Emmie would have been booking this hotel after closing some deals at work and not wanting to worry about taxi’s home after drinks. Even if you live in London this hotel is the perfect solution if you want to walk out of your office, change out of the suit and go straight out on the town.
It probably sounds a little excessive but my friends and I often used to book hotels in town as it was just way less time consuming than travelling home to change, pre drinks and travel all the way back into town often works out to the same cost of late night cabs to south London.
The lobby area of Hart Shoreditch Hotel even has a convenient and vibey co-working space where she could have finished off some paperwork, a beautiful fitness centre to squeeze in a workout, and the rooms are stocked with quality products from London based Soap Smith to save packing and carrying heavy bottles to and from the office.
There were lots of relaxed business meetings happening in the subtly South American themed bar area and it really felt like a happy hub of the community.
45 year old Emmie
45-year-old Emmie came here to EAT! And EAT she did, the hotel is home to UBA, the new lavish, Pan Asian fusion restaurant on the block and I was beyond excited to try.
UBA is a destination restaurant within its own right! My eyes literally widened as I turned the corner to see a dramatic double heighted space adorned with Asian artifacts and styled with lavish reds and golds. It feels, plush, special and indulgent, in all the right ways.
UBA can seat tables of up to 14 but I was here for date night and so were many other diners. Young men were seated nervously waiting for their girls and I can see why they had chosen this as their place to impress. It is most definitely a statement restaurant.
The service was great, we were guided to the specials cocktail menu which boasted plays on an Aperol Spritz and Pina Colada, containing liquors I had never heard of but were from local distillers. They had my interest from the jump.
Chef Pavel Baranovs has created a crowd-pleasing Asian fusion menu designed to share. The food comes when it’s ready and you can select dishes from small or large plate menus or light bites from the dim sum and raw fish section, which is ideal if you just want a few plates with drinks or equally if you are here to feast.
We enjoyed Rock Shrimp Tempura and the most delicate Scallops with Truffle Dressing to start. For mains I was seduced by the Black Cod as always. I like the torched effect on the outside giving the dish a unique and tasty char. Our ribeye was also juicy and delicious, as were the stuffed chicken wings.
The beauty of UBA being downstairs is that there is no need to leave – this very much appeals to 45-year-old Emmie. We decided to take our dessert and a bottle of bubbles upstairs to our beautiful room to enjoy the glittering city lights from our bed.
It’s the perfect special occasion date night hotel. The hotel has young, cool, non-stuffy non-judgemental energy with friendly accommodating staff who will bend over backwards to make sure you have a seamless stay.
I left Hart Shoreditch Hotel with a smile on my face, 45-year-old Emmie had opted for a lie in and gorgeous breakfast in bed just as the Bottomless Brunch at UBA was kicking off. From 12-4 on Saturdays and Sundays they have a DJ, and it gets a little loose. 25-year-old-Emmie would have loved that I thought as I headed to Spitalfields market for a mooch.
Review and Images by Emmie Blower @emmiebhungry
Feature image and food images supplied
