FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

The Curtain

by Kimberly Inlander

Nov 1, 2017
Hotels

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

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed
September 2023
Sep 23, 2023

When the Sun Goes Down, the Party Begins on Mykonos

There is something magical about sipping a glass of local wine while watching the sun slip into the Aegean Sea as the afterglow tinges traditional, white-washed Cycladic houses with glorious shades of rose, purple and gold. Ancient Greeks believed Helios, the Sun God, caused sunsets by driving his fiery chariot into the sea. Standing at water’s edge in Mykonos, watching the sky slowly turn from purple to inky black, you almost believe it.

Hit the High Notes in Nashville

Nashville’s once-modest skyline continues to evolve as its luxury market grows. Lavish hotel properties are added to the landscape while acclaimed chefs stake claim in the robust culinary scene and premier cultural offerings round out the city’s repertoire.

Daily
Sep 22, 2023

Portraits of Some of Europe’s Most Unique Museum Shops

The prospect of a post-visit treasure hunting session inside the shops of landmark museums such as the Louvre in Paris, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and The British Museum in London can be irresistible. However, some of Europe’s smaller and more unusual museums boast retail spaces with a surprising “wow” factor, often as well-curated as the galleries.

Daily
Sep 22, 2023

Hyatt Has Much in Store for North America Through 2025

Hyatt Hotels recently announced plans to add more than 30 new luxury and lifestyle hotels and resorts to its U.S., Canada, Latin America and Caribbean portfolio through 2025. These new hotels and resorts span many of Hyatt Hotels’ brands including Park Hyatt, Dream Hotels, Thompson Hotels and Destination by Hyatt.

Why Buy Trip Cancellation Insurance?

Don’t risk losing all the money you’ve spent if you must cancel your trip at the last minute. Allianz Travel Insurance can give you:

September 2023
Sep 22, 2023

Cruise Alaska for Awe-Inspiring Adventures to Delight All Ages

I hadn’t even made it to my first cup of coffee when I got an early phone call from my sister, who lives two time zones away. “OMG, Kristy, Patsy Cline came on twice while I was driving the kids to school today,” she laughed. “You know what that means, right?” We both gasped and then instantly began singing the lyrics to “La Bamba,” an inside joke we’d shared since our family’s Alaskan cruise decades ago when we, unintentionally, won the ship’s karaoke contest among a sea of Patsy Cline tributes.

eFlyer News
Sep 20, 2023

The Woodward Geneva Partners with Swiss International Air Lines for Culinary Journey

The Woodward Geneva and Swiss International Air Lines recently launched a new collaboration to transport passengers to the counter of Michelin-starred restaurant L’Atelier Robuchon. As part of the SWISS Taste of Switzerland inflight culinary program, the partnership provides Business and first-class travelers on SWISS long-haul flights departing from Geneva and Zürich carefully curated menus inspired by the restaurant.

Why Buy Annual Travel Insurance?

One affordable plan can protect an entire year of trips: business or pleasure, short or long, domestic or international.

eFlyer News
Sep 20, 2023

Nobu Hospitality Enters Egypt with 2 Luxury Hotels, Restaurants and Residences

In partnership with Nobu Hospitality, SODIC, Egypt’s leading real estate developer, recently announced plans on the expansion of the Nobu brand in Egypt. This expansion entails the development of luxury hotels, branded residences and the acclaimed Nobu restaurant.