Nhow London

The first English expansion for the Berlin-based Nhow brand finds itself in a knife-sharp wedge-shaped building in East London, close to the centers of both Shoreditch and Clerkenwell and about a mile from the City. And the brand’s characteristic irreverence is right at home on this side of town; while Nhow London is liberally festooned with tributes to royals past and present, the angle is quite a bit more ironic than you’d expect from a hotel in, say, Westminster.

More than that, it’s positively packed with contemporary art, and with absolutely riotous amounts of color — maybe it’s the overseas perspective, but Nhow London feels more optimistic about its home city than just about any homegrown hotel. The rooms, for all the vibrancy of their décor, don’t lose sight of comfort; king beds and ultra-modern bathrooms are the rule, and the suites and penthouse add very generous extra measures of space.

And a hotel this full of character naturally comes with a focus on social life. The wide-open lobby is centered on the bar, but also features a substantial amount of well-furnished co-working space, in addition to service throughout the lobby and lounge by the restaurant, Bell & Whistle. Another, by the Portuguese-born chef Olivier Da Costa, is set to open soon.