aparthotel London

London is quickly becoming the city for ‘next generation’ hotels and the newly-opened Leman Locke is really leading the way.

This forward-thinking hotel – the debut from new brand Locke Hotels – combines the luxury of a hotel with cool apartment living for creatively-minded folk who want a home away from home. Its minimal, urban look may also be familiar – it was designed by Grzywinski + Pons, the New York design company behind gems such as The Nolitan Hotel, Boro Hotel and west London’s Urban Villa.

Location

Located in buzzing east London, Leman Locke is set across a modern tower in rapidly evolving Aldgate. The area may be slick and modern, but it’s just moments way from London’s historic Brick Lane and Spitalfields, as well as being next to Aldgate East tube for quick access to the heart of the city.

Entering the hotel, your first encounter is with the cheery baristas at the hotel’s casual cafe Hyde, who give you a friendly hello every time you return. This bright and sunny cafe keeps guests fuelled all day with pastries and paleo granola for breakfast, hand-crafted sandwiches and salads at lunch, afternoon cake with Chash teas and Volcano coffee and evening cocktails and craft beers. It also attracts locals, particularly for Sunday brunch, so it has a good neighborhood vibe.

Check In

Hyde leads on to the cosy hotel lobby with a comfy seating area, copies of i-D magazine and plenty of quirky artefacts (I can’t help thinking it has a bit of a Wes Anderson feel). We had a swift and efficient check in and scaled up to the 16th floor in the lift.

The Studio

Our Studio was an absolute dream with the most gorgeous, highly Instagrammable interiors and impressive floor-to-ceiling views over the city, including The Shard. The open-plan studio is designed in a soft palette of pastel pink, blue and white with geometric patterns, tactile wool and felt textures and touches of exposed concrete.

The cosy living area features a large LCD Smart TV, full-length mirror and a coffee table with art books, however the star of the show is the powder pink L-shaped sofa. Seriously, it’s the most brilliant piece of furniture, as feels plush however you sit on it. Why don’t I have one of these in my own home?

While the apartment overall is very spacious, the bedroom is quite petite, however the concrete partition cleverly gives it the combination of intimacy yet openness. The bespoke Locke Dream bed was pretty comfortable with good pillows and a stunning wool throw, but I found the linen a little too crisp and rigid.

The Kitchen

We were really impressed with the sleek, high tech kitchen complete with a top notch oven, fridge, dish washer, washing machine, digital kettle and toaster. It also has a big selection of pristine utencils and cookware, a full set of china and handily, the Hemsley + Hemsley cook book for those creative moments in the kitchen.

To get you started is a nice little care package featuring a selection of lovely T2 Teas, ground coffee pods and a healthy treat – an indulgent bar of vegan maca, vanilla and cacao nib chocolate by Doisy & Dam. There is also still mineral water and a mini bottle of milk in the fridge – a thoughtful touch.

The Bathroom

The bathroom is also really spacious and well-appointed with a bath tub and top-of-the-range shower, heated towel rail, thick and fluffy towels, wide mirror and a very generous amount of storage space.

I was excited to find a full set of Kinsey Apothecary bathroom products in delicious scents such as Salted Caramel Vanilla and Himalayan Hibiscus. This London-based body care company was a new discovery and it fits in well with Leman Locke’s approach to wellbeing and locally-sourced products.

Eating Out

It was hard to tear ourselves away from our new pad, but it’s definitely worth venturing out to try some of east London’s many exciting restaurants. We had the most amazing dinner at lively and hip Smokestak in Shoreditch (a short 15-minute walk away) and highly recommend booking a table there if you like barbecued meats with a London twist.

Also worth checking out in the nearby area are Gunpowder, HotBox London, Canto Corvino and London institution Duck & Waffle.

There is also plenty going on at Leman Locke with in-room spa treatments by Viva Therapies, a cultural programme including yoga, meditation and cooking, as well as Locke Coves that can be booked complimentary for quiet time through a House Host.

Impressions

Leman Locke is a real game changer for London and its beautifully-designed studios are so inspiring that you might find yourself trying to recreate the look at home. Whether it’s a staycation or an extended visit, make Leman Locke your stylish base and get to know a different side of London.

For more information and booking, visit: www.lockeliving.com

Chérie City was a guest of Leman Locke

All photos by Chérie City

Nadler Hotels is one of the most guest-friendly boutique hotel groups, offering a real home away from home experience.

I really enjoyed my stay at The Nadler Soho last year, so I was keen to check out The Nadler Kensington, its sister hotel on the other side of town.

The Nadler Kensington is located in an elegant converted townhouse in a well-heeled, leafy neighbourhood just a short stroll away from Earl’s Court Road.

It’s the ideal base for a weekend in London, with museums and sights such as V&A, Natural History Museum, Royal Albert Hall and Kensington Palace & Gardens on the doorstep. Designer and vintage shopping, cool bars and great restaurants can also be found in nearby Notting Hill and Portobello Road.

I stayed at The Nadler Kensington the night before travelling on a morning coach from Victoria (just four stops away on the tube) and it’s also conveniently placed for both Gatwick and Heathrow airports, taking extra time off your journey in and out of London.

Nadler Hotels are all about affordable luxury, providing everything you need in your room for a comfortable, low-key stay with none of the additional hotel facilities that can push up the price (which you might not even use). There is no fitness centre, spa, hotel restaurant, bar or breakfast room, however the hotel is pleased to arrange in-room dining from good local restaurants or a continental breakfast to order.

On arrival, we were warmly greeted by the team of Local Ambassadors who checked us in and offered a map and information about London, should we wish to go exploring. The Lobby has the feel of an elegant Kensington home with comfy sofas, bookshelves and bay windows with floor-to-ceiling views over Courtfield Gardens.

The hotel has 65 rooms ranging from a Standard Single Room to the spacious Deluxe Room that accommodates up to four people and is ideal for families.

Our King Double Room on the first floor is accessible via grand staircase or by lift and overlooks quiet, cobbled Morton Mews at the back of the hotel.

We found the room petite and cosy with plenty of natural light. The design is contemporary yet homely with a warm, neutral palette and light wood highlights.

The king-size bed was very comfortable with crisp white sheets, plush cushions and the same tactile faux fur throw as seen at The Nadler Soho. The 26-inch HDTV at the foot of the bed is suitably high-tech with free internet, web radio and music library with over 6000 tracks.

The highlight of the room is the mini-kitchen, neatly hidden behind a sliding door with sensitive lights that switch on when you approach. The kitchen includes a microwave, mini fridge, sink with a Britta tap for filtered drinking water, kettle, Nespresso machine with plenty of capsules and a selection of teas. Also provided is a draw full of cooking utensils, a full set of luxury china and glassware and handy trays.

I was particularly pleased with the large teapot, so we could enjoy a proper cup of tea (just pick up some fresh milk from M&S at Earl’s Court on your way).

The room also features an ample-sized wardrobe, working desk, an iron and ironing board under the bed, air-conditioning and free unlimited wifi.

The bright and airy beige-tiled bathroom has a bath and shower with powerful water pressure, extra-large towels, bathrobes and slippers, heated towel rail and a full set of Gilchrist & Soames bathroom products.

That evening, we enjoyed a relaxing pampering session in our bathrobes with a hamper of products kindly provided by the hotel – who even needs a spa? We sipped on chilled Bellinis while wearing gel eye masks and making good use of the Gilchrist & Soames products (the delicious home-made biscuits were swiftly devoured earlier with a pot of Earl Grey).

We ate locally on Earl’s Court Road, picked up some snacks for the room and really made the most of our London staycation and the peace and quiet that we can’t usually find at home – it truly was blissful.

The Nadler Kensington is a great place to stay if you enjoy exploring and going out in London, but with essential home comforts back in your room. While The Nadler Soho is a slick and tech-focused hotel in a vibrant part of town, The Nadler Kensington is sophisticated and discreet with an enviable SW5 address.

This autumn, Nadler Hotels expands further with its fourth hotel, The Nadler Victoria, located next to Buckingham Palace. With Victoria becoming an increasingly interesting and buzzing area (Jason Atherton and Bone Daddies will soon move in), I’m looking forward to seeing what Nadler Hotels has planned for its 73-room hotel.

Rooms at The Nadler Kensington start from £138 per night for a Standard Single and a King Double Room is priced from £194 per night. For more information, visit: www.thenadler.com/kensington

Chérie City was a guest of The Nadler Kensington

Photos by Chérie City and The Nadler Kensington

Chérie City

A Great Stay at Leman Locke London