Arrival/Check-In: The Curtain opened just about 30 days prior to my visit as the newest hotel in trendy Shoreditch. A hotel, restaurant, live music venue and members club, it offers a little bit of everything. My friend and I arrived late morning for our two-night stay and were notified we’d been upgraded to a Shoreditch Suite. The front desk attendant told us our room wasn’t quite ready but stored our bags and escorted us to the rooftop pool and restaurant, LIDO, for a cappuccino while we waited. It wasn’t long before she came up to show us to our guestroom and give us our keys.
Guest Quarters: The hotel’s décor is described as “warehouse living with impeccable style” — think exposed brick, hardwood floors, large windows and iconic artwork. The bespoke handmade amenities throughout the room add a fresh pop of quirk to the space. In total, the property boasts 120 guestrooms, including five suites.
Our Shoreditch Suite, spacious for the two of us, opened into a large living area with a sectional and coffee table, a desk with a flat-screen TV above and a wet bar with a curated minibar tucked into a corner. A plate of fresh mini donuts with dipping sauces and a chilled bottle of Veuve Clicquot greeted us. My friend slept here, and it was almost like we had two separate rooms, affording us both privacy.
In the bedroom, two nightstands flanked a large, king-sized bed. They were a bit tight for space, and I accidentally knocked over a glass one night, which shattered on the black-and-white tile floor. A TV hung in the corner over a freestanding bathtub, and a separate wardrobe held hangers and robes. A lit vanity sat outside the large bathroom. The marble bathroom’s floor felt heated, and the steam and rain shower was a generous size.
Services/Amenities: In addition to opening a Red Rooster outpost on site, Chef Marcus Samuelsson also operates Tienda Roosteria at The Curtain. From lunchtime onward, the eatery serves up Mexican fare, from quick bites to after-work cocktails. A DJ spins seven nights a week here. LIDO’s retractable glass roof and pool make it the perfect rooftop spot and a yearround venue. Serving day to night, LIDO is only open to hotel guests and Curtain members.
The fitness center, created in conjunction with The Vault Gym, is open 24/7; private training sessions are also available along with spin classes and yoga. The rooftop pool is heated and open after dark. An underground spa offers massages, nail services and a Men’s Society, offering haircuts, wet shaves and facials.
The Ballroom can host events, accommodating 200 seated guests, and the more intimate Screening Room features its own cocktail bar.
TOP TAKEAWAYS:
◆ Dine at the new London outpost of Marcus Samuelsson’s popular Red Rooster, where patrons can select favorite exports from the NYC menu or enjoy some of the new, London-inspired selections.
◆ Shoreditch is the neighborhood in London at the moment. Each night we could enjoy plenty of city hot spots within steps of the hotel. By day we jostled alongside daily commuters hustling to work. No matter the time, there’s something happening in Shoreditch.
◆ You can apply to be part of The Curtain’s Club; benefits include club spaces open 7 a.m.–2 p.m. daily, food and drink, discounts on room rates for all members and a co-working space.
◆ Three Tube stops lie in proximity to The Curtain; I opted for Liverpool Street Station, just a short walk from the hotel and one of the city’s busiest, with access to the Hammersmith and City, Circle, Metropolitan and Central lines.
The Curtain
45 Curtain Road
London EC2A 3PT
United Kingdom
tel 44 203 146 4545
thecurtain.com
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