east London hotel

Qbic Hotel London City is the city’s most exciting new affordable design hotel, with an innovative room concept and budget-friendly prices.

Founded in Amsterdam, Qbic Hotels take a fresh look at the budget city hotel experience with only the essential amenities, plus lots of convenient extras to make a stay more relaxed and enjoyable.

While many East End hotels and restaurant tend to be clustered around Shoreditch and Hoxton, Qbic Hotel London City occupies a more ‘under the radar’ position in Whitechapel. Just a few steps away from the renowned Whitechapel Gallery, buzzing Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market, the hotel is also conveniently close to Aldgate East underground station with quick access to central London.

On arrival, we were greeted by a friendly member of staff, who helped us check in using the self check-in kiosks. They were simple and easy to use, dispatching the room key and a receipt with the room number and check-out information.

The lift that we took to our floor features a cool wall-mounted electric guitar and information about the hotel and local events.

Our third-floor room was happily far away from the lifts, avoiding any noise, and in the corridor is a hot drinks machines offering lattes, cappuccinos, mochas and hot water for English Breakfast and herbal teas.

Entering our Park View Room, we were greeted by a super-sized Princess Diana and cheeky little Justin Bieber on the headboard – a fun design touch and a real talking point (especially with Justin Bieber’s current antics).

The room was spacious and simply designed, with a table and chair, full-length mirror, wooden floorboards and large windows.

Dutch designer Sander Bokkinga has specially created a striking lamp made from a hosepipe and a multi-functional luggage stand with hanging space and shelfs for belongings. It certainly captures the imagination and the creative spirit of the artistic East End, plus there are hangers and hooks on the wall for extra space (a few wall-mounted shelves would be nice too).

The focal point of the room is the ‘cubi’ which comprises a king-sized bed with an integrated 32-inch LED Smart TV, a lamp and a well-appointed bathroom. Constructed from curved plastic, wood paneling and glass, the pre-fabricated cubi is easy and affordable for the hotel to set up, keeping prices down for guests.

I found the bed extremely comfortable and luxurious with good bed linen and handy space-saving wooden side trays. The bedding was a little unusual with just two thin and basic pillows and a duvet that was almost double thickness, making it rather stifling at night.

I liked that each side of the bed had mood lighting switches and electrical sockets, making it easy to use a laptop or tablet in bed. The high-speed wifi is fantastic and can be accessed by simply entering a general password.

The bathroom is surprisingly slick with a powerful rainfall shower, a wide bowl sink and plenty of towels – even the zesty yellow colour of the walls is uplifting. In the bathroom are two large bottles of Emerelle Spa Hair & Body Wash (made for hotels), which were perfectly adequate for a shower, but guests need to bring their own conditioner and body lotion.

Guest rooms come without a telephone and while it’s not always an amenity that I use often, I can’t help thinking it’s a security issue not to have any channel of communication between the reception and the many guest rooms on the floor. There should at least be one phone that connects only the the reception and emergency services in the corridor, just in case.

A perk of staying at Qbic London City is the cool, atmospheric lounge where guests can enjoy complimentary tea and coffee in take-out cups and purified water. There are a number of jazzy Union Flag vending machines stocking locally-sourced snacks and drinks – we couldn’t resist trying a bottle of Dalston Cola.

Every evening at 6pm, Qbic Hotel London City offers guests complimentary home-made soup and fresh bread provided by local partner, Food Cycle. It’s a thoughtful touch that gives that home away from home feeling. There is also a microwave and kitchen station for preparing food – ideal for those visiting London on a budget, or just wanting a low-key evening.

In the morning, we enjoyed a continental breakfast (£7.50), including a selection of high quality produce such as Chegworth juices, delicious blueberry muffins, freshly-baked croissants, bread, cheese, preserves, cereal and fruit. For a lighter breakfast, all guests can fill a paper bag with a complimentary Chegworth juice, gourmet cereal bar and a piece of fresh fruit, displayed at the reception.

Qbic Hotel London City is a fun, affordable place to stay and it couldn’t be better placed for discovering East London. It best suits individuals or couples on a short stay in the city, particularly as the cubi bathrooms lack privacy. With cutting-edge design and home comforts, Qbic Hotels are set to revolutionise the city hotel stay and I can’t wait to see more of them popping up in Europe’s coolest cities.

A double room at Qbic Hotel London City starts from just £59 per night and includes a complimentary breakfast bag for each guest. For more information and booking, visit: www.qbichotels.com

Chérie City was invited by Qbic Hotel London City

All photos by Chérie City

Coralie Aude Grassin packs her pyjamas for an enchanted evening of storytelling at London’s eccentric 40 WiNKS boutique hotel…

Strolling from blog to blog, from link to link, I stumbled on 40 WiNKS. This boutique hotel, house of an interior designer, hosts the most exquisite events, including Bedtime Storynights at 40 WiNKS – an enchanting evening of storytelling, curated each month by storyteller Rachel Rose Reid and hosted by Mr David Carter.

Storytelling? For adults? Intriguing, isn’t it, especially as the dress code is evening-wear: the nightgown kind… Gentlemen are welcome to join, creativity is encouraged, cocktails are on the list and the evening promises to be deliciously different.

Ideally, go with a friend: choosing the right outfit is quite a fun challenge and is most pleasant shared, giggles included.

Will you go for a silky material? A vintage look? Will you add a smile with a cosy accessory such as a hot water bottle? What are the right kind of slippers to match? What a wonderful feeling to feel like a 15 year old going to a pyjama party!

Standing in front of the entrance on the night, we felt very VIP, part of a secret society. We were warmly welcomed by Mr Carter, so very British with his bowl hat and suit. Had he stepped from a book, I would not have been surprised.

We exchanged our shoes for comfortable white slippers and were guided upstairs to, er dress down, rather than up.

Glitters, feathers, silk stockings, velvety gowns, pearl necklaces…never has a bedtime looked so glamorous. Guys were getting ready in the next room.

Some had cotton pyjamas, others had added a teddy, one was in a thick colourful bathrobe, another looked like a Victorian character with his bonnet de nuit.

Our favourite was Santa inspired – red and white seasonal hat and twinkling light garland around his neck.

As you can guess, conversation flowed easily: we were all curious about each other’s ideas and accessories and chatted happily around a Hendricks gin cocktail and a few nibbles.

Alternatively, you can go an explore the house and take hundreds of decoration tips along the way/corridors. Each room is a delicate balance of antiques, French touches, magical associations.

We loved the very Christmassy touch of a tray filled with tangerines and candles, the feather mask on a sculpted bust, the shells on a cake stand…

After a couple of drinks, the group separates, each joining a different storyteller. We settled on the floor or in one of the cosy sofas, some of us grabbing a blanket for more comfort.

At the first words “Once upon a time”, you wonder whether you are not too old for this. The rhythm of music, the soothing voice take over your imagination.

Sally Pomme Clayton’s voice is magical: she is so much into her story you can only travel with her. You go over hills, you walk in the snow, you climb mountains, you suppress a tear…her smile, particularly radiates happiness and emotions. Mesmerizing probably describes her best!

When asked how she came to storytelling, she explained this is just what she had always done best from childhood and so naturally, she transformed her skills into a job. Even the British Museum fell in love with her!

When the tale of The White Bear came to an end, nobody moved – we all waited for more. We would have been happy to stay there all night long…we were five year olds again, ready to beg for just one more story, pleeeeease!

Thankfully, there was more coming our way. Just a pause to share our amazement with the other guests, clinking our cocktail glasses and we joined the second storyteller, Nell Phoenix.

What a different atmosphere she created! A succession of three tales of the world – very interactive, with a dash of sexiness and plenty of laughs. A different kind of warmth, a different journey in time.

Both groups reunited for a last comfort dose with songs from the very talented Helen Chadwick, some a capella. What a voice! It is not so much that it is powerful, no that would be common.

It just has this tribal note, it goes right through you envelops you, soothes you. A perfect conclusion to the evening.

It feels strange stepping out of your comfy night close to step back into the night, had it been summer I am sure a number of guests would have decided to take the tube wearing pyjamas!

The next Bedtime Storynights at 40 WiNKS will be on February 09, 10 and 11th with extra special treats. Don’t miss them!

Photos by Coralie Aude Grassin

Coralie Aude Grassin writes the French and English blog, Tea Time in Wonderland.

Qbic Hotel London City

Bedtime Storynights at 40 WiNKS, London