The Corner London City Hotel is a fresh and trendy addition to London’s East End. Based in bustling Tower Hamlets just around the corner from Brick Lane, it is a few minutes’ walk from Aldgate East Tube, a prime location from which to explore both East and central London.
Aptly named, every corner of the 183-room urban hotel offers a modern twist and quirky take on East End life with a unique and interesting story to tell, from the sustainably-sourced fabrics to the literature-adorned walls and extensive collection of art triumphantly displayed on each floor, on behalf of the hotel’s charity partner Café Art.
The hotel’s credentials to be the greenest in London start with the bedrooms. Each room has an imaginative and modern aesthetic, featuring a unique all-in-one bed and bathroom pod with striking images of life in the East End as a colourful alternative to a bedstead. All bedrooms have a power-saving rain shower with an airdrop shower head that mixes air with water to reduce consumption by 25 per cent, contributing to the hotel using 41 per cent less water than the UK industry average. The beds each have a fully sustainable hypoallergenic super king mattress handmade in Devon with sustainable, biodegradable, organic fibres and if guests opt not to have their room serviced, they get a £5 voucher for a drink in the bar.
Much of the bespoke handmade furniture is made by Dutch designer Sander Bokkinga, who uses reclaimed wood for clothes stands, desks and sideboards. Old hosepipes twisted into contemporary, colourful lamps provide a quirky and individual experience not seen in many hotels. Bottles of filtered water are provided in the rooms, filled from the filtration system installed at the hotel, in glass bottles which are cleaned, sanitised, and refilled on the property. Organic toiletries are also provided in reusable containers and a recycling bin is available for paper, plastics and glass, which the hotel recycles.
The LED lighting and 40 solar panels on the roof mean that the hotel produces 67 per cent fewer CO2 emissions than the UK industry average. The hotel’s private, secure gated car park also contains electric car charging points and complimentary recycled bikes are on offer for guests to gain the full East London experience. These are a great way to explore the many exciting offerings within the surrounding area.
The in-house bar and restaurant provide a lively and atmospheric open plan space that also incorporates three meeting areas which can be hired separately or together, making The Corner London City the perfect place to work, relax or socialise. This area is filled with plants which not only improve air quality but add a therapeutic element to the space, and plans are afoot to incorporate a living wall at the bar and restaurant entrance. The restaurant offers all-day dining and prides itself on its quest to only use locally sourced ingredients and suppliers that come from no further than a 25-mile radius of the property, with meat, fish and veg sourced locally from Billingsgate Market. Almost all of the menu (98%) is produced in-house and the kitchen composts food unable to be reused. If you fancy a cuppa while relaxing in your room, every floor has a well-stocked tea and coffee station made from recycled wood for guests to use.
This eco-conscious mindset also extends to guests’ four-legged friends. This pet-friendly hotel welcomes dogs – and cats! – of all shapes and sizes and pets are invited to enjoy all areas of the hotel with their owners. After a busy day sightseeing, pets can retire to an environmentally friendly, luxury dog bed made from durable, quality fabric packed full of recycled polyester for ultimate comfort. These nest-shaped, anti-anxiety beds are designed to help calm dogs. Food and water bowls are made from plant-based materials such as bamboo powder and cornflour and pooches are invited to feast on a sumptuous breakfast of high-protein treats packed in plastic-free packing.
The Tower Hamlet area is teeming with trendy bars, restaurants and street food stalls as well as unique and independent shops filled with antiques, bric-a-brac and quirky finds from all around the world. Events and markets take place weekly, where you can taste culinary delights, shop for fashion, art and flowers and take in the sights and sounds of this vibrant London neighbourhood.
Located across the road from a small landscaped park and with plenty of family-friendly activities nearby, the hotel is great for families. Visit the Whitechapel Gallery for exhibitions and events by local and contemporary artists, or head to Spitalfields Farm Park to see the animals. The Brick Lane Food Market on a Sunday is a must-do for anyone wanting to taste and smell the real East London food scene, and the nearby Jack the Ripper Museum is a great place to learn about some of the darker – yet fascinating – history of the area.
Prices start from £98 per room per night. For more information or to book, call +44 (0)20 3021 1440 or visit www.thecornerlondoncity.co.uk
