The 12 Best Hotels in Shoreditch

Ever wondered what it would be like to stay in one of those loft apartments your favourite sitcom characters always inhabit? Well, now’s your chance to find out. This former warehouse features all the exposed brickwork and industrial floor-to-ceiling windows you could possibly want. Brass light fittings, velvet curtains and roll-top baths all speak of old New York glamour. The theme continues at Marcus Samuelsson’s internationally famous Red Rooster, where the menu pays homage to the streets of Harlem where the original is a favourite of the Obamas. Take a dip in the rooftop pool, or have a Curtain gin cocktail in the Green Room. A stay at the Curtain, combining opulence and hedonism, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you won’t want to miss.

Delivering a luxury boutique hotel experience since 2016, Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch flourishes on the site of an old courthouse where the notorious Kray twins once faced trial. With its quirky interior, the hotel retains some of the vestiges of the building’s former function: there’s the Judge & Jury fine-dining restaurant in what was previously a courtroom, or you can sip cocktails in one of five converted prison cells in the Jailhouse Bar.

Combining the grandeur of a Georgian mansion with the convenience of a modern luxury hotel, this eccentric addition to Shoreditch is perfect for those seeking to experience the quirkier side of London. Named after an 18th-century interiors writer and landscape designer, Batty Langley’s features wood-panelled walls, heavy drape curtains and antique four-poster beds. The bathrooms, complete with restored period fittings such as vintage copper showers and cast-iron roll-top baths, are worth the stay alone. Take afternoon tea in the drawing room or breakfast in the walled garden, with a level of hospitality that’s second to none.

Industrial simplicity meets understated elegance at Nobu Shoreditch, where Japanese minimalism and craftsmanship can be witnessed first-hand. Overseen by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, the in-house restaurant plies visitors with a variety of delicacies such as lobster wasabi pepper. Explore nearby Brick Lane and the Barbican before relaxing at the Nobu Spa. Sophistication is the name of the game here, and it attracts the most discerning of visitors.

In stark contrast to today’s hipster-strewn Shoreditch, this five-star hotel began life as the Royal Mail head office. Aviary, its tropical-meets-1920s rooftop bar, sets the scene with lush green chairs and leaf-patterned cushions – an apt setting for botanical cocktails served from the gold-accented bar. Rooms mix white leather and neutral tones, brought to life with pops of atomic tangerine, while essentials come with luxurious twists: rain showers in marble bathrooms, award-winning Elemis toiletries, Nespresso machines and so on. There’s plenty more opportunity for pampering at the fully equipped gym and spa where you can take a dip in the dreamy topaz pool.

An eclectic, Andy Warhol-inspired lobby awaits you inside the uniform exterior of citizenM: think Pop Art pillows, kaleidoscopic art, black leather chesterfield sofas and shelves lined with colourful curiosities. Rooms are equally quirky, with retro bucket chairs and ambient lighting (perfect for cosy movie nights in front of the tablet-controlled TV). Downstairs, the canteen caters to every whim – help yourself to a classic English or continental breakfast, or unwind in the evening with a local craft beer. The central location means you are brilliantly poised to explore the treasures of Shoreditch – check out the dynamic variety of street art that has given the area its creative edge.

Straight out of 1990s Los Angeles, design-led Cuckooz puts a modern twist on Fresh-Prince-style patterns with abstract confetti cabinets, paper-plane-print cushions and polka-dot walls. Pastels and primary colours complement plant-filled rooms that range from standard to deluxe. A memorable stay is ensured with amenities like underfloor heating, plush Simba mattresses, Neom toiletries and a sleek Apple TV. Intent on making you feel at home in the city, the hotel also offers up some tasty welcome treats upon arrival, as well as neighbourhood guides so you can quickly familiarise yourself with the graffitied streets of nearby Shoreditch.

The cloud-brushing exterior of the nhow London gives the illusion of a disjointed Rubik’s cube, with an interior to match. Its cavernous lobby is a multicoloured manifestation of a child’s dream, with its rocketing Big Ben, Banksy-style artwork and Instagram-worthy neon signage. Upstairs, rooms are quintessentially British, paying homage to monarchs on the walls and lighting the intimate space with bulldog lamps. The hotel also offers Dilmah tea, in true English fashion. Enjoy far-reaching city views from the emerald haven of the velvet-floored penthouse, while families can spread out in the expansive suites. In the evening, treat yourself to a meat-free meal at the ecoconscious Bell & Whistle restaurant.

Sophisticated urban luxury is the name of the game in this Brutalist 37-bedroom townhouse. French doors open onto a rustic open-plan reception area with restaurant Cecconi’s in the back serving up delectable Italian dishes, such as wild mushroom pappardelle. On the upper floors, rooms are infused with elements of 1950s suburbia; bold upholstered armchairs and classic earthy tones blend with natural materials for a casual and cosy feel. Trendy vintage details also crop up in the form of Marshall radios and vanity tables – valuable assets when sprucing yourself up for a night out on the town.

With its winding wrought-iron staircase and copper touches, this restored Georgian townhouse epitomises the industrial aesthetic of Shoreditch. On-site restaurant Barboun, done out in beige tones with lush plants, creates an idyllic setting for Instagram-worthy breakfast dishes such as shakshuka. Rooms are styled in muted greys and salmon pinks; luxurious suites come with a Nespresso machine, marbled rain shower and minibar. You can work off that shakshuka using the state-of-the-art gym facilities or stretch your legs with a stroll around the neighbourhood. If you’re feeling restless or parched, swing by the Book Club for an evening of ping-pong and cocktails.

Setting the tone with classic cinema-style signage over its front door, Boundary London lives up to its promise with an enchanting interior. The 20th-century-style rooms take inspiration from various designers and design movements, from bold geometric Bauhaus headboards and the natural palette of minimalist designer Terence Conran to the sprawling flora on the wallpaper of the expansive David Tang suite. Meanwhile, the rooftop is a dazzling wonderland canopied with a web of fairy lights. In winter, you can sink into the faux-fur lined seats for cheese fondue and a glass of their delicious hot, hazelnut-flavoured Snow Queen cocktail.