St. Lukes View, Shoreditch, by the Design Traveller

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about St. Lukes View? It’s this perfectly positioned spot where Shoreditch’s creative chaos meets Islington’s more polished vibe – honestly, whoever chose this location on Old Street really knew what they were doing. I mean, you’re literally a five-minute walk from the Old Street roundabout (which, let’s be real, can be a bit of a madhouse during rush hour), but the hotel itself sits just far enough back that you don’t get the constant bus rumble that comes with being right on the main drag.

The whole “Design Traveller” thing in the name isn’t just marketing fluff – they’ve actually put thought into this place. The interiors have that effortless London cool without trying too hard, if that makes sense. Think exposed brick mixed with contemporary touches, but not in that aggressive industrial way that some Shoreditch places go overboard with. What I really appreciated was the attention to small details that you only notice when you’re actually staying somewhere – proper blackout curtains (crucial when you’re dealing with those ridiculously bright summer mornings), decent water pressure, and USB ports exactly where you need them. The 8.4 rating makes total sense once you’ve spent a night here.

Location-wise, you’re in this sweet spot where you can walk to Brick Lane for Sunday market madness, hit up the bars on Leonard Street, or even stroll over to Angel if you’re feeling ambitious. The Hoxton Hotel crowd tends to stick closer to the Bethnal Green end, so this area feels a bit more… I don’t know, lived-in? Less touristy, anyway. Parking’s going to be your typical London nightmare, but the Old Street tube is right there, and actually, the night buses run pretty frequently if you’re planning to explore Camden or South London. One thing to note – weekends can get properly lively around here, especially Friday and Saturday nights when the Shoreditch crowd spills over, but honestly, that’s part of the charm. If you’re looking for complete silence, maybe look elsewhere, but if you want to feel plugged into what London’s actually like, this is your spot. The staff seem to get that balance too – they’re helpful without being overly polished, more like knowledgeable locals than hotel robots.

Rooms

• Studio Apartment with 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults

Facilities