x

A Weekend Guide To Shoreditch With citizenM Hotels

A mini guide to Shoreditch's shops, cafés and restaurants.
citizenM Hotel, Shoreditch, London Staycation

This post was created in collaboration with citizenM hotel, Shoreditch.

citizenM Hotel, Shoreditch, London Staycation
Jaeger Wool Wrap Coat in Black* | Baia Small Drawstring Bucket Bag in Dalmation Print* | Eastpak Tranzshell S Black Luggage*
citizenM Hotel, Shoreditch, London Staycation
citizenM Hotel, Shoreditch, London Staycation
citizenM Hotel, Shoreditch, London Staycation
citizenM Hotel, Shoreditch, London Staycation
citizenM Hotel, Shoreditch, London Staycation
citizenM Hotel, Shoreditch, London Staycation
citizenM Hotel, Shoreditch, London Staycation
citizenM Hotel, Shoreditch, London Staycation
citizenM Hotel, Shoreditch, London Staycation
citizenM Hotel, Shoreditch, London Staycation
citizenM Hotel, Shoreditch, London Staycation
citizenM Hotel, Shoreditch, London Staycation
citizenM Hotel, Shoreditch, London Staycation
citizenM Hotel, Shoreditch, London Staycation
citizenM Hotel, Shoreditch, London Staycation
citizenM Hotel, Shoreditch, London Staycation

Let me put it out there, I love Shoreditch but I wouldn’t want to live there. I’m happy in the quieter, less hip part of town I call home, a sleepier area of South West London that offers me an escape from the city. I do, however, spend a lot of time in the East, as there are so many creative businesses and start-ups based there. It’s also one of my favourite areas of London for eating, drinking and shopping.

A little wander down Redchurch Street will give you a good idea of what the area has to offer, independent boutiques sit side-by-side with cafés and pop-ups. Hackney is still one of the poorest boroughs in London and was once a fairly cheap area of London to live, this brought a lot of creatives to Shoreditch, starting studios and opening shops, as well as cafés and restaurants. It’s these entrepreneurs that have made the area so desirable to me but also larger brands (getting in on the buzz). I like the fact that even these guys are offering a curation of their products that would appeal to the more affluent residents of the area.

Last weekend, we stayed a night Shoreditch, at the recently opened citizenM Hotel. Tucked just behind Shoreditch High Street, the hotel is in the centre of all the action.

The hotel is pretty epic, it centres around a social, open-plan first floor with a bar, lots of lounging areas and spaces to work. There are design books everywhere, as well as lots of iconic pieces of design, and furniture by Eames like their Lounge Chair, Cone Chairs and cute little Elephants for kiddies.

The rooms are small but cleverly designed with large bathrooms and a large double bed. An iPad in each room controls the TV, with lots of free movies. We were up on the 8th floor with an east-facing window over Shoreditch High Street. It was pretty wet and windy when we stayed but I could still spot some of my favourite places.

There’s a really creative vibe to the hotel that’s reflective of the area, it feels buzzy but chilled. For once, I wasn’t rushing from one meeting to another and got to relax. It’s funny what a small suitcase and no laptop will do to help you let go. I saw it as a chance to spend some quality time with the hubby, show him some of my favourite spots, enjoy a coffee together and do a spot of shopping.


Shops

A.P.C. 15 Redchurch Street (womenswear & menswear) | Aesop (beauty) 44 Redchurch Street | Aida Shoreditch (lifestyle) 133 Shoreditch High Street | Aimé (womenswear) 17 Redchurch Street | Ally Capellino (leather goods) 9 Calvert Avenue | Goodhood (lifestyle) 151 Curtain Road | House of Hackney (homeware & womenswear) 131-132 Shoreditch High Street | Le Labo (fragrance) 61 Redchurch Street | Labour and Wait (homeware) 85 Redchurch Street | Luna & Curious (lifestyle) 24-26 Calvert Avenue | The Mercantile London (womenswear) 17 Lamb Street | Modern Society (lifestyle & café) 33 Redchurch Street | Monologue (homeware) 93 Redchurch Street | Sunspel (womenswear & menswear) 7 Redchurch Street


Food & Drink

Blixen (restaurant) 65A Brushfield Street | Boundary (rooftop restaurant) 2-4 Boundary Street | Dishoom (restaurant) 7 Boundary Street | St. Leonard’s (restaurant) 70 Leonard Street | Forge & Co. (café) 154-158 Shoreditch High Street | Lyle’s Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street | Paper & Cup (café & bookstore) 18 Calvert Avenue