This bold, irreverent London hotel is a crashpad with a difference, delivering a punch of colour and cheeky British whimsy across playful interiors
Location
The hotel is in a rather nondescript area of London, reached down a small street opposite a block of flats and otherwise surrounded by tall office buildings (don’t expect brilliant views). It’s on the cusp of different areas meeting – Islington and Hoxton – rather than in the heart of any action, but you can easily get around: the Victoria line running through Angel Tube station (connecting to Oxford Circus) is around 10-minute walk, as is Old Street (on the Northern line). The nightlife and art scene of Shoreditch is 15 minutes away on foot.
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The vibe
The industrial look – silver venting crossing the ceiling, bare walls given just a lick of paint – is softened by a riot of quirk and colour, something of an nhow signature. It’s pure fantasy decor across the ground: a scaled-down Elizabeth Tower (home to Big Ben) sits at an angle and appears to be blasting off, denim jackets covered in textile offcuts are used as lightshades, long tables are patterned with off-colour Union flags and pillars are adorned with images of multi-coloured toast above greyscale toasters. Even the most ardent minimalist guests will agree that the jumble works.
The ground floor is open plan, so a space filled with contrasting seating (armchairs dressed like Chelsea pensioners, a mix of differently patterned sofas created by a local artist from Hackney) merges into the bar and restaurant. Upstairs, there are the same splashes of whimsy along the corridors: London street signs reading “ROOMS”, exposed filament bulbs, oversized custom-made Monopoly cards and carpets dotted with pink and red roses.
The service
A frustratingly slow check-in with a queue forming, but a warm and knowledgeable welcome from staff. Equally pleasant when answering queries during the stay, from the best places nearby for a night out to the morning running routes they’d recommend, they also know some decent cycling routes.
Bed and bath
