Hotel Indigo Clerkenwell review | UK | Travel

Hotel Indigo Clerkenwell is the newest addition to the capital from the IHG Hotels & Resorts household. Tucked away in a quiet nook of the metropolis, it provides a peaceable retreat that’s still within straightforward attain of London’s most vibrant hotspots.

Just a stone’s throw from the iconic Brutalist Barbican Centre, the lodge embodies the model’s ethos as ‘The World’s Neighbourhood Hotel’, drawing inspiration from the wealthy historical past of its environment. In Clerkenwell, that means honouring the space’s storied previous in clockmaking, structure, and goldsmithing. There’s also a cheekier aspect to its heritage. Hotel Indigo nods to the outlaws and gangs that once roamed these streets.

That historical past runs all through the lodge, whether it’s the clock cogs dotted through the corridors or the cocktail bar named Sabini, after the British-Italian mob boss who once roamed these streets (Peaky Blinders followers may recognise the identify).

Despite all the nods to the previous, the space feels recent. The foyer is vibrant and ethereal, with a black-and-white tiled flooring that channels a bit of artwork deco glamour. Rich inexperienced and navy tones, gold finishes, and a few playful particulars, like the reception desk dressed up with bobbins and haberdashery, keep issues fascinating.

At the coronary heart of the foyer, a communal lounge space is dotted with cosy sales space seating and a more open-plan lounge, divided by modern trendy shelving. It’s the variety of space you can hold out with a drink or catch up on some work without feeling rushed. You’ll also spot a wall of classic cameras, paying homage to the former Kodak HQ that once sat close by.

One factor that immediately stood out to us was the lodge’s signature scent, which subtly infuses the space and provides a contact of luxurious.

Check-in is easy, the employees are pleasant, and if you arrive early, there’s somewhere secure to stash your luggage.

Rating: 4.5/5

Hotel Indigo Clerkenwell has 143 rooms across 9 flooring, break up between Standard and Premium classes (though, from what we could inform, the predominant distinction comes down to sq. footage). However, all rooms share the same design fashion, impressed by the space’s structure and craft heritage.

Room numbers are whimsically displayed on backlit clock faces, each set to match the room quantity.

Once inside, each bed room is designed to really feel like an architect’s studio. You’ll discover a desk styled with an architect’s cutting mat and a headboard crafted to look like stacked blueprint tubes. It’s playful but in a grown-up method. A big spherical mirror turns the desk into a dressing desk (a characteristic many inns overlook), which is helpful when preparing.

We stayed in a Premium room, where a enormous, more-than-king-sized mattress takes centre stage, framed by a plush inexperienced velvet headboard. Overhead, golden orb lights add a trace of sophistication, while the mushy, muted partitions and pale wooden floors keep the space feeling gentle and trendy.

The first factor we seen? Just how new everything felt: spotless, scuff-free, and with a recent, just-opened scent.

Our room confronted an internal part of the lodge, so the view wasn’t much, but the sheer curtains gave it a bit of a boutique-hotel polish.

There’s a generously sized TV on the wall, particular person studying lights on either aspect of the mattress, and an open wardrobe with loads of hanging space, cabinets, and a helpful bench for your suitcase. You’ll also discover robes, slippers, a hairdryer, a secure, and a Nespresso machine – small touches that quietly elevate the keep.

Rating: 4/5

Hotel Indigo Clerkenwell is home to a trio of distinctly completely different eating and ingesting venues. First, the Hat and Feathers. Though technically half of the lodge, it sits next door in a Grade II-listed pale yellow building and appears to be like every bit the traditional London pub. During our keep, it had a regular stream of punters, with employees serving up traditional pints, bar drinks, and a hearty menu of pub staples—think fish and chips, pies, and a small but satisfying dessert choice. Inside, it’s all darkish wooden, vintage-inspired pub furnishings, and a welcoming environment.

Back inside the lodge, Sabini is something of a hidden gem. The cocktail menu blends signature creations with well-made classics (the margarita was one of the best I’ve had in a while), and the space itself is undeniably stylish. It’s low-lit and moody, with curved shelving behind the bar displaying a line-up of spirits. Dimly lit with curved shelving displaying an array of bottles, the bar is styled with Chesterfield armchairs, wealthy rugs, and elegant gold lamps that solid a mushy glow on each of the small tables.

A gallery wall of portraits gives a refined nod to Clerkenwell’s historical past.

Wilderness Kitchen, tucked at the back of the lodge, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a menu that claims to use native market produce. It’s also the source for in-room eating, though that comes with an further charge. The eating room options floor-to-ceiling home windows that mirror the open, ethereal vibe of the lodge foyer. True to its identify, the space is crammed with greenery. Plants hold from the ceiling and potted herbs double as centrepieces on each desk. The structure is open and informal, though the rattan-backed cubicles are a good shout if you need a bit more privateness.

Dinner takes a Mediterranean-inspired method with a modest but well-rounded menu. Starters like falafel and arancini with Sriracha mayo stood out, while mains vary from lighter poke bowls to more substantial choices like a 5-oz beef burger, roasted salmon, and ribeye steak. As a vegetarian, I discovered the choices a little restricted (there was just a risotto and a pasta dish listed as mains). A veggie burger or plant-based meat different would have added a welcome selection. That said, the kitchen is versatile. Poke bowls can be made vegetarian on request, and the employees genuinely go out of their method to accommodate dietary wants.

There’s a small choice of sides and desserts, but we went for the ice cream choice and would fortunately return for the pistachio scoop alone. Wilderness Kitchen is a great option for relaxed eating if you’re staying at the lodge, but the menu might not be sturdy enough to draw diners from further afield.

In the morning, the restaurant serves breakfast, which contains a buffet with continental and scorching choices and three varieties of juice.

On the scorching aspect, expect all the usuals: mushrooms, eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns, and a choice of bread you can slice and toast yourself. Pastries vary from golden croissants to indulgent custard-filled Danish, and there’s also jam, spreads, and, of course, Nutella. Fruit selections embody watermelon, pineapple, and apples, which are nice, though not costly. There are also a few cereal selections, plus dried fruits and nuts.

In addition to the buffet, visitors can order a scorching dish for an further £6, including a customisable omelette, avocado toast, and Instagram-worthy pancakes topped with recent berries.

Rating: 5/5

Rating: 4/5

Double rooms begin from £239 per night time, including breakfast, though costs can fluctuate relying on your dates and how far in advance you e-book. Find rooms and e-book instantly on the Hotel Indigo Clerkenwell web site. You can also examine offers and costs for a keep at Hotel Indigo Clerkenwell with Booking.com or Hotels.com.