Batty Langley's

"The vibe: Vintage East End Location: East London Top amenities: The calm courtyard Best for:  City of London meetings and East London's nightlife The area of East London around Spitalfields Market is one of the coolest parts of the capital—but Batty Langley’s eschews hipster chic to whisk you back across the cobbled street to the 18 th century, when this whopping brick building (at first glance it looks like a cross between a townhouse, a warehouse, and a trendy office block) was constructed. The 18 th century is also when the hotel’s namesake, Batty Langley, was working as an eccentric landscape gardener and architect. Perhaps to honor his legacy, all 29 rooms (named after different East End characters throughout the centuries) are individually designed and a little…different. While they’re technically period style—think four-poster beds, lavish dark palettes, and what appear to be traditional portraits on the walls—they’re done up in a knowing, modern way. Unexpected features include a toilet hidden behind a bookshelf and a jolly period-style portrait grinning at the building’s current occupants: you. The lounge with its honesty bar leads onto a little courtyard, while in-room TVs are hidden—instead, you’re encouraged to browse one of the thousands of books in the library." - Julia Buckley

"How did it strike you on arrival?In a forbidding 18th-century brick building near Spitalfields market in the East End, with a discreet sign over the door, Batty Langley’s looks part warehouse, part hipster office building. Although it’s nothing like that inside. What’s the crowd like?True East London hipsters can’t afford this, so it’s mainly super-cool foreigners who know this is the area to be. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.All 29 rooms are individually designed and slightly eccentric ("batty," as the English would say)—a knowing, modern take on antique style, with unexpected features like a toilet hidden behind a bookshelf or a jolly period-style portrait grinning at the modern-day occupants. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?For the ultimate Batty experience, try for a four-poster bed. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?There are TVs in the rooms, but they’re gloriously hidden—and finding them can take some time. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.Rolling with that eccentric theme, the bathrooms feature antique-style fittings such as "throne" toilets and cast-iron or marble baths. The products, however, are 21st-century REN. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Free Wi-Fi. Room service: Worth it?The menu is thoroughly British and artisan-sourced. Try the pot roast chicken with root vegetable casserole ($20). Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.The honesty bar in the “Tapestry” lounge is a home-from-home touch. There’s no restaurant, other than room service. What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?The little courtyard garden is perfect for a cup of tea in summer months, and the Library—with 3,500 books—is delectable in the winter. Bottom line: worth it, and why?The blend of eccentric cool, both ancient and modern, is like nowhere else." - Julia Buckley