A new star in the East
by Graham McKenzie
A new star has risen in the East in the form of the Hyatt Place London City East.
The hotel is situated a few yards from Aldgate East tube as well as Whitechapel station which is now linked to the new Elizabeth Line, thus offering easy access across town.
This relatively (as it opened bang in the middle of a pandemic) new establishment is making the most of its location and absorbing itself into the local community with admirable gusto.
It serves as a visitor hub to enjoy the delights of the Whitechapel district including Brick Lane and Spitalfields. If you haven’t visited this area recently it is awash with independent stores, restaurants, bars, breweries and fun. In short it is London at its multicultural, lively, inclusive best.
This should not detract from the hotel itself as it is not just a place to sleep even though the rooms are roomy, comfortable, clean and well appointed. With the walls festooned with local art and photography, the Hyatt offers the full range of facilities one would expect.
Next to the reception area, which is mostly manned by locals, is a coffee bar which doubles up as a delicatessen, especially useful if you are up late and need a grab and go. Once again, the neighbourhood has influenced it with the beans being roasted locally, the bread from a nearby bakery and the other fresh products procured from farms and markets close by.
Next door the Hyatt’s restaurant serves breakfast and dinner and the acquisition of Sicilian chef Vittorio clinched it for me. I was served a five-course taster menu which was delicious. Having some experience of Italian cuisine it was as good as anything I have tasted in the UK or Palermo. Fish, cheese, meat, pasta and a Pannacotta were all washed down with a chilled bottle of Verdicchio. The restaurant is open to non-residents and based on my experience, it’s sure to be very popular.
Post meal you can relax and visit the roof top bar and experience the stunning views across parts of the capital you may never have seen before. One can also enjoy the skills of the bar crew who have cocktail making down to a fine art. Give them three or four of your favourites and they will come back with a tasty and colourful concoction.
This star is shining brightly in the East End and is well worth a visit.
Double rooms start from £120 per night.
Ray Monty
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