East London has a new independent hotel right in the heart of Shoreditch. Yes, right where the Ace hotel used to be, One Hundred Shoreditch has revamped the building and boasts 258 bedrooms and suites, six restaurants and bars, and five meeting and event spaces. Naturally, we spent a night there to see what’s changed.
The hotel is the latest project from Lore Group, the people behind Sea Containers London, Pulitzer Amsterdam, Riggs Washington DC and Lyle Washington DC, and has given the space a makeover, bringing a more grown-up feel to Shoreditch. Right from the get-go, it’s noticeable how happy everyone is, from the doorman who seems so excited for us to get through the door to the lovely lady on reception who checks us in a very easy and quick two minutes.
It’s then up the lift and into a loft studio room that is flooded with natural light from feature oriel window. The room is finished in neutral colours with original abstract art making it very pleasing on the eye and really feels homely too. Everything has been considered; there’s lots of plugs and USB ports, very nice glassware, water stations for still and sparkling (near the lift), TV, tea and coffee, blackout blinds, comfy robes, DS & Durga bathroom amenities, super-soft bedding, and a mini-fridge stocked with treats from their East London neighbours. It’s really very nice. In-room breakfast in the morning means you can watch Shoreditch wake up as you tuck into a full menu of options – the cooked brekkie is de-lish and with Ozone coffee in the pot, we’re in safe and familiar hands.
The lobby area is also a familiar layout with the big communal table already busting with people running about their days. There is still the hotel bar tucked in the back that also does pizza; there are lots of comfy sofas, chairs, and plants; and the coffee shop is still there but with a new look and feel. A hatch is to open giving street-side service for all your coffee and snack needs too, including ice cream.
One of the most notable changes is what was the florist has been turned into a very swanky wine bar that looks into the restaurant Goddard & Gibbs through their floor-to-ceiling black panelled window. We do like this space, the countertops are amazing, it’s intimate and very informal considering the sophistication of the design. Nice work indeed.
Now more about Goddard & Gibbs, which you’ll be pleased to hear has undergone a soft refurbishment meaning that classic wood panelling on the walls from its predecessor still remains. It’s a seafood affair inspired by the fishing villages and seaside towns across the country, with Head Chef Thomas Moore in charge of the menus. It’s all-day dining so you can drop in for lunch or dinner and try that crisp hake Kyiv or the sourdough crumpet with mackerel or that sea bream ceviche, all of which great. Their desserts are worth a shout too, with the fried doughnut with malt ice cream, miso caramel and peanut dust being a particular fave for us.
Downstairs you can find Seed Library, the very sexy cocktail bar (that also offers a hand-picked selection of wine and beer) led by Mr Lyan and his team. The cocktail menu focuses on a ‘lo-fi, analogue’ approach , aking inspo from the origins of classic cocktails with a modern take on flavours. Another nice touch is the all -inyl music policy which sets the tone perfectly mixing classic soul, funk and disco.
Upstairs is the rooftop, which wasn’t open at the time of our visit but we’re told offers panoramic views of East London and a menu of champagnes, sparkling wines, cocktails and spritzes. With such an eclectic mix of offerings there’s no doubt that One Hundred Shoreditch is going to be a one popular hangout spot. Round of applause.
100 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JQ
onehundredshoreditch.com