The Z Hotel Shoreditch

The Z Shoreditch opened in 2015 and is housed within an important historic building in London’s East End. Amid the more futuristic, contemporary architecture of the immediate area, this hotel stands out for all the right reasons. It was built in 1898 by tea magnate and philanthropist Sir Thomas Lipton as a restaurant that served inexpensive meals for the workers of nearby factories. Perhaps inspired by the building’s past -- and its position in one of the city’s most expensive areas -- the design throughout is eye-catching, but unpretentious. Nods to the fashionable area include striking colorful floor tiles in the cafe and pendant lighting. The lobby area is small, but this is in keeping with the hotel’s reputation for speedy, fuss-free check-ins. Plus there’s plenty of seating in the cafe. Guests tend to relax there on their laptops, as there are multiple outlets and good food. This hotel offers competitive rates -- especially for a London property -- but these rooms are best for short stays as the small spaces won’t appeal to everyone. 

The Z Hotel group calls its loyal customers urbanites and its city-center location is what appeals to most guests. The group has hotels in many affluent London postal codes, and all are close to businesses, bars, and restaurants. The Z Shoreditch sits in what’s considered one of the trendiest neighborhoods in London -- Shoreditch. Guests are a one-minute walk from Old Street Underground station. There are numerous restaurants, bars, and boutiques within a 10-minute walk of the hotel. Most East End attractions and nightlife can be found in nearby Hoxton, or Shoreditch High Street. Old Street in Shoreditch is considered one of the most vibrant streets in the area. From underground DJ sets to chic cocktail bars, it has a variety of nightlife and is only a six-minute walk from the hotel. Hoxton Square, one of the oldest squares in London, is surrounded by bars, restaurants, and clubs, and it’s only a nine-minute walk away. The closest train station, Old Street, is the best way to get to The City, with the whole journey taking around 10 minutes. Most Central London attractions will require at least 20-minute train rides or taxis to reach. Big Ben, the Tower of London, and Hyde Park all take around 20 minutes by train from the hotel. Heathrow Airport is an hour’s drive, while Gatwick Airport is around an hour and 20 minutes.

The 111 rooms here are undeniably compact, but the most impressive element is the stripped-back contemporary design that maximizes what little space there is. Interiors consist of dark wooden floors and light-wood panels on the walls. The spartan furniture comes in a dark woody hue too, plus there are chocolate-colored fabric headboards, crisp white linens, and chic gray accents. The neutral palette feels clean and minimalistic. Beds are bespoke and handcrafted, but only the larger Double and Queen Rooms have space for tiny desks and chairs. Keep in mind that some interior rooms lack windows, and only peg-board hanging racks are available for storage. Standard high-end amenities in all units include 48-inch HD Samsung Smart TVs with Sky Package, free Wi-Fi, coffee-and-tea-making facilities, touch-panel air-conditioning and heating, plus en-suite shower rooms. These are sectioned off by glass partitions, and include free toiletries and hairdryers. The most premium option is the Z Family Room, which is a bi-level space with two queen beds, and two TVs. It’ll still be a squeeze for a family, but a lot of fun for small children. 

The rooms here are so small that a decent communal area is a must, and luckily Z Shoreditch has a lovely ground-floor cafe. It's spacious and fashion-forward, with punchy teal tables and industrial stools and wooden chairs. A chalkboard menu lists the breakfast and lunch offerings, plus, there are fridges with beers, wine, and the hotel’s own ice cream. Breakfast costs extra, but is exceptional, including British produce like locally sourced honeycombs and daily fresh bread deliveries. Each evening, free cheeses and wines are available, with a menu that changes every three months. Another nice extra is the free fruit that's available during the day. This is a hotel that appeals mostly to business guests, so it comes as a surprise that there are no meeting rooms or event spaces. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.