Deep in the heart of Shoreditch, in a land where graffiti walls meet beetroot lattes, local cafes meet trendy bars, and city workers meet media types, you’ll find Boundary London. Once a Victorian printing warehouse, the building lives on as this design-led neighbourhood hotel. Suitably placed at the end of Redchurch Street, with its high-end boutiques and within sight of award-winning restaurant Dishoom, a stay here puts you within walking distance of many a cultural happening.
The ‘project’ of interior legends Sir Terence and Vicki Conran, and Peter Prescott (Prescott & Conran), the decor is an ode to the postcode’s spirit: cool, curated and creative. I arrived after a London-hopping day of meetings, and was taken to my room – one of 12, with another five suites available. True to the hotel’s heritage, each room is individually designed and themed around an iconic designer or movement of the 20th Century – from ‘Young British Designers’ to ‘Bauhaus’ and ‘Le Corbusier’. For the design-literate, it’s a celebration of fine aesthetic history. For everyone else, the rooms are just lovely; spacious and chic with posh Aesop toiletries.
I was happily staying in the high-ceilinged Charles and Ray Eames’ ‘corner’ room – inspired by the esteemed mid-century design duo and complete with original lounge chair and ottoman. The bed was incredibly snuggly and framed by a ‘House of Cards’ headboard – one of Eames’ most celebrated designs. It’s certainly not cosy but manages to achieve perfect Feng Shui. And, if you’re after even more space (perhaps to do morning yoga, which the hotel also offers), you can upgrade to a duplex suite.
The Boundary’s rooms sit above its own deli cafe, bar and grocery shop, The Albion, and below its Rooftop Bar & Grill. I arrived up there to find my friend sitting pretty among wild herbs, orange trees and fairy lights. Our spiked hot chocolate and ‘Orange Provenance’ cocktails were accompanied by mellow music as we swapped stories from our day. A pink dusk descended on the skyline and Shoreditch and the City’s buildings began to turn to mysterious silhouettes, studded with bright lights. It felt deliciously cosmopolitan and as the London evenings grow warmer you can expect queues around the corner – fear not though, hotel guests can queue hop.
I woke next morning with spring sunlight flooding into my six-windowed bedroom. I enjoyed a strong coffee and a plateful of grilled sweet potato, avocado, kale, fresh chilli and a poached egg at The Albion – the perfect accompaniment to a leisurely morning spent people-watching in this happy corner of the city.
Boundary London
Rooms start at £170 per night
2-4 Boundary St, E2 7DD
boundary.london
Review by Emma Winterschladen
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