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Disclosure
DOSE guest contributor Linda Bourke checked into the Hart Shoreditch hotel for an epic east London staycation. The hotel houses its very own nightclub and hip hangs such as Gloria, Dishoom and Flat Iron are a one minute stroll away from the hotel. Need we say more?
We all like a trip to the countryside – but I can’t be the only person who feels as though everywhere is booked up until about 2027. So I decided to explore London as a tourist, heading to the coolest area in town – Shoreditch.
Arrival at The Hart Shoreditch Hotel
Home to Shoreditch House, hipsters and excellent coffee, Shoreditch is also home to Hart Shoreditch Hotel. It opened in 2020, part of Hilton’s high end Curio collection.
We arrive to the welcoming scent of freshly-baked flatbreads and a bar that is already starting to feel buzzy, despite it only being Thursday afternoon. In fact, if you want to kick off the weekend early, here is a good place to do so.
Decor comes from London-based Fabled Studio and they have clearly been inspired by the artisans of Shoreditch’s industrial past. Nods include hand-worked leathers, wooden chandeliers and copper accents.
For business travellers, there’s a beautiful meeting room (inspired by the Huguenot silk weaving industry of nearby Spitalfields) in the basement and there’s also a high-ceilinged gym with everything you could possibly need.
The vibe at Hart Shoreditch Hotel
There are 126 rooms and ours is on a corner, with floor to ceiling windows that manage to feel peaceful even though you can see Shoreditch humming away below. It is light, spacious and beautifully decorated, with a dark green leather headboard, burnt orange furnishings, copper tones, soft lighting and a huge bed. There’s a Marshall speaker by the bedside and in the bathroom is a marbled shower, Nordic Musk toiletries and roll top bath (exactly what’s needed for my pregnant self.)
After a serious soak, we head to the Tavla Bar and Barboun restaurant. Both are a reason to come here, even if you are not able to stay the night. Tavla, we learn, means backgammon, and you can play whilst enjoying drinks. The signature cocktails look amazing and make me long for times ahead when I can indulge again. My guest had the super fresh looking Amalfi Breeze: gin / chambord, lemon, cranberry and raspberries, while I stuck to pregnancy-appropriate mocktails.
Eating in at Barboun Shoreditch
We were very tempted to eat from the amazing bar menu (quail scotch eggs, pastrami, flatbreads, chicken bao and rosemary fries) but manage to restrain ourselves for the main event. We’re glad we did – Barboun serves Levantine, or Eastern Mediterranean food, from emerging head chef, 27 year old Fezile Ozalgan. Inspired by her Turkish Cypriot heritage, dishes include sharing platters to start (think flatbreads with delicious hummus, taramasalata, tzatziki and muhammara) and also their signature starter, barboun – delicate red mullet, preserved lemons, hazelnut, charred Romano peppers. It’s bursting with flavour.
For mains, we had lamb rump and 12 hours smoked short ribs that were amazingly tender. We finish on Turkish coffee and Turkish delight. For those who like the sound of these dishes, Barboun’s sister restaurants are Yosma (Mayfair) and Hovarda (Soho). I’ll definitely be checking them out.
Come the next morning, we’re almost too full to eat breakfast but can’t resist. It’s Turkish inspired, with shakshuka, Turkish eggs and twisted pomegranate smoothies.
Going out in Shoreditch
If you visit for more than one night, there are so many other amazing places to eat nearby. Gloria is opposite and Dishoom and Flat Iron are within a one minute walk of the hotel.
We’ve got more good reasons to come back as it’s about to get even better. Once restrictions allow, all is set for upcoming local vinyl DJ sets in the Tavla bar. Plus, BYRD nightclub plans to open in the basement in late Autumn. Who needs a holiday when a staycation leaves you feeling this good?
Rooms start from £125 per night including breakfast, Hart Shoreditch Hotel
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