Built for business and now renovated for pleasure, this former Town Hall in the heart of East London has been lovingly restored to blend the old with the new.
As the name suggests, the building used to be the Town Hall of Bethnal Green, but has gone through a makeover to function as a hotel. And a stunning one at that. Boasting a Michelin-starred restaurant, indoor swimming pool and original council chamber, there are many reasons to book a stay here.
Hotel
Art Deco, kooky, grand, and that’s just the foyer. The hotel retains many of its Edwardian features, like the marble staircases, pillars and tiled flooring. You could spend a solid chunk of time simply snooping around and taking in the aesthetics.
The Town Hall has just under 100 rooms, although suite is the word. Each has been designed to maximise space and feel like somewhere you would want to spend most of your time when staying in the area.
Although historic in it’s nature, there’s nothing old about the vibe of this hotel. There’s a real buzz about the place with the authentic magistrates court room regularly being used to record adverts, music videos and host weddings. And this is all without mentioning the state of the art gym, pool and bar, too.
Room
Our suite was on the top floor with panoramic views around the surrounding area. We checked in on a rainy Monday, but the floor to ceiling windows and bright furnishings made it feel like summer.
The interior is minimalist but considered. The colour palette of the walls is a simple green, nicely complemented by vibrant prints which name checked local spots like Columbia Road and Victoria Park. This is a proud East London hotel.
The layout feels more like your very own city apartment rather than a hotel, and our kitchen was well equipped with crockery, cutlery and glassware. There’s also two separate table spaces making it the perfect place to either work or dine.
Food and drink
We utilised the chic dining space by ordering breakfast to the room. How do you like your eggs in the morning? I like mine Turkish style – drizzled in natural yoghurt and harissa chilli – with a bucks fizz and view of London on the side.
If eggs aren’t your morning cup of tea, The Town Hall’s breakfast menu offers many more delicious options like yoghurt bowls, full English breakfasts and porridge.
Beyond breakfast, the hotel is home to two restaurants, Da Terra and Elis. Both are headed up by the talented Rafael Cagali and specialise in Brazilian-Italian fusion foods, but with completely different feels.
Da Terra has two Michelin stars and offers fine dining and tasting menus, whereas Elis is more relaxed serving rustic dishes along with a selection of small plates and good wines. Both restaurants are open to the public.
If a drink is all you fancy, the downstairs bar offers a healthy selection of wine, spirits and cocktails. Despite being tucked away from the main road, it attracts a crowd and we enjoyed a few glasses of fizz there before heading out for dinner.
To do
The Town Hall Hotel has a prime East London location and there is so much to do in the area.
For a leisurely weekend, you would struggle to find a better itinerary than strolling through either Broadway Market (Saturday) or Columbia Road flower market (Sunday), before heading down the canals to Victoria Park. Swing by the Royal Inn On The Park or Crown for a pub lunch. Hackney at it’s finest!
For after dark, the hotel is a short walk away from Satan’s Whiskers, a hip hop themed cocktail bar serving up delicious negronis.
In a nutshell
There are many reasons to book a stay at The Town Hall Hotel. Go for the historic architecture and stay for the modern interiors and surrounding places to explore.
Factbox
Address: Town Hall Hotel, 8 Patriot Square, London E2 9NF
Phone: 020 7871 0460
Website: townhallhotel.com
