The RE London Shoreditch

The RE London Shoreditch is housed in a four-story modern brick building on a corner in Hackney. Its modern design is in keeping with the architecture of this low-key East London neighborhood. Hotel windows facing the street are smartly dressed with neat rows of low hedgerow lining the sidewalk and tailored black and white striped awnings above. The high-gloss white tile floor throughout the lobby sharply contrasts with more than a dozen clusters of dark leather club chairs and sofas. A playful sweep of red on a few pieces of furniture and artwork picturing London's iconic double-decker busses punches up the otherwise basic, neutral decor. The lounge provides enough space to crack open a laptop to tackle some work, but those meeting up with friends may prefer lingering at the lobby bar come happy hour. It's well-stocked and doubles as an espresso bar for those seeking an alternative to a tipple. A small selection of baked goods and snacks is also on offer. A handful of high-top tables and chairs are arranged in the center of the space but there's still plenty of room to mingle. On the opposite side of the lounge a chocolate brown carpet with an abstract squiggle design defines the hotel's restaurant. Rows of orange banquettes provide ample of seating and there's a long, bountiful breakfast bar serving hot and cold items. The hotel's clientele leans toward business travelers but its value makes it attractive to families, couples, and others visiting London on vacation. 

Shoreditch is part of the hotel's name, but this property is actually located on the edge of the trendy hood in Hackney. Some guests say the area can feel desolate at night and others appreciate its edgy vibe. The hotel isn't close to sights, but it's only a five-minute walk to the Cambridge Heath overground stop and a 10-minute walk to the Bethnal Green tube stop.

• Five-minute walk to Cambridge Heath overground stop
• 10-minute walk to Bethnal Green tube stop
• 20-minute walk to Shoreditch High Street
• 28-minute walk to Old Spitalfields Market
• 30 minutes to British Museum via public transport
• 32 minutes to Tower of London via public transport
• 33 minutes to Tate Modern via public transport
• 34 minutes to Piccadilly Circus via public transport
• 37 minutes to Trafalgar Square via public transport
• 39 minutes to Buckingham Palace via public transport
• 41 minutes to London Eye via public transport
• 46-minute drive to London Heathrow Airport 

Rooms at the RE London Shoreditch are basic but hardly bare bones. The design gives a certain tailored look with a limited palette of chocolate brown paired with chalk white. Honey-colored wood and plush velvet pillows, drapes, and throws add warmth, and rooms are bright thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. In-room freebies and extras are a significant perk: There's hot chocolate and cookies in addition to tea and coffee, plus unlimited still and sparkling water. Flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, air-conditioning (with in-room controls), terrycloth bathrobes, large wardrobes, and free Wi-Fi come standard. Larger rooms offer corner desks that provide generous workspace, small leather sofas with low tables, and safes that are big enough to store laptops. Guests note that rooms are larger than average, exceptionally clean, have powerful AC, and comfortable beds, though some say TVs are a bit small. Gleaming white bathrooms have modern fixtures and walls are accented with attractive iridescent blue tile and shower/tub combos. Some rooms have views of the street while others look out onto an interior courtyard. The hotel offers ADA accessible rooms with walk-in showers for guests with mobility issues.

For a three-and-a-half-pearl property the RE London Shoreditch offers ample amenities that amount to a real bang-for-your-buck. The on-site restaurant offers continental breakfast (for a fee) with hot options such as traditional English black pudding, Cumberland sausage, and baked beans. Lunch and after-hours fare includes build-your-own sandwiches, salads, pizza, and burgers, and dinner mains range from steak, chicken, and pasta to local favorites like fish pie and bangers and mash. There's also a two- and three-course prix fixe menu. The bar serves up basic cocktails -- by the glass or pitcher -- and it has a small but well-rounded wine list. Room service can serve packed lunches for guests on the go.

Another of the hotel's stellar assets is its fitness center with up-to-date equipment including two treadmills, a stationary bike, and an elliptical. The blonde wood floor makes the space feel like a private studio, and there's free still and sparkling water and fruit. Note that the space isn't open 24 hours.

While there's no formal business center there's a public computer workstation near reception and free printing at the front desk. Wi-Fi is free throughout, and reception provides free newspapers. Fees are attached to parking in the hotel's underground garage.