DEPARTURES
Reality check APA R T HOT E L : T U R ING L O CK E , CAM BR IDG E THE APARTHOTEL
This new complex of
enough to host a party. A bright open-
180 modern, spacious apartments, from
plan living area had a well-equipped
Edyn's aparthotel brand Locke, is in a
kitchen down one side, a sofa, dining
newly-built sustainable district, called
table and a large flat-screen smart TV,
Eddington, two miles northwest of
which shows all the info about the
Cambridge city centre (15 minutes by
property. A large L-shaped balcony links
bike). It's set around a large, partly-
the living space with the two double
covered courtyard that feels quite
bedrooms and looks out over the leafy
tropical thanks to a lawn, palms and
courtyard. Bedrooms have ample
other greenery in giant pots. The 150-
wardrobe space and the bathroom has
room Hyatt Centric Cambridge is on the
a double sink and large walk-in shower.
opposite side and the two share an
THE BUSINESS
The lobby doubles
independently-run restaurant, Kota, and
as a work or meeting space with
a bar, Dutch. There's also underground
communal desks/tables and private
parking for £15 a night, 200 bike spaces
alcoves and natural light through floor-
and 20 EV charging points.
to-ceiling windows. There are two
A cute reception desk
THE CHECK-IN
sits in the middle of a funky, industrialstyle co-working space. We were warmly
separate meeting rooms, each seating 14 and which can be joined together. THE FACILITIES
Dutch is a classy,
greeted by Des, who was our super-
New York-style bar with a colourful
friendly, super-efficient contact for the
cocktail menu (Mezcal is the speciality).
rest of our two-night stay. The front
It's popular with locals too. At Kota we
desk is manned at all times but our
enjoyed a delicious breakfast of sour
keycards gave us 24-hour access.
dough with crushed avocado. Unusually,
THE APARTMENT
Our two-bedroom
apartment, on the second floor, was big
THE VERDICT
A FABULOUS, SUSTAINABLE APARTHOTEL COMPLEX THAT'S FIT FOR A MOTOWN QUEEN
A fabulous,
sustainable aparthotel complex that's fit for a Motown queen, literally. We stayed during The Cambridge Club music festival and discovered (from fellow guests) that the headline act, Diana Ross, was staying at Turing Locke too - in the same corridor! 47 Eddington Ave,
THE DETAILS
there's no breakfast buffet. We hired
Cambridge CB3 1SE, lockeliving.com
bikes (for free) and there's a mini gym.
From £100 a night Bev
Fearis
H OT E L : YOT E L SHO R E DITCH, L O NDO N THE HOTEL
The former East
lighting made it feel cosy. There was a
London Hotel was rebranded as a
body-length mirror, a small coat hanger
YOTEL and opened in April 2022, the
hook and a Nespresso machine. The
group’s fifth city centre hotel in the UK.
bathroom was disproportionately large,
Despite its name this 161-room hotel is
with a rainfall shower. I liked the
in Tower Hamlets – Bethnal Green tube
bathroom mirror that lit up when you
station is a two-minute walk away.
approached it or squeezed hand wash
THE CHECK-IN
This was self-service.
At a station called 'Mission Control' I
from the Urban Jungle toiletries. THE BUSINESS
Komyuniti, the
keyed in my name and booking
lobby area cum restaurant and bar, is
reference and my Smart key card was
set up for those needing to spend some
cut – except it wasn't. It didn't work for
time on their laptops. WiFi throughout
me but an assistant was on hand to
the hotel was super-fast.
check me in and point me in the
THE FACILITIES
There's a small bar
direction of my room. Guests can also
that doubles as a breakfast counter
use their mobile devices as Smart Keys.
serving yoghurt, apples, bananas,
THE ROOM
Although compact
THE VERDICT
croissant and a bacon and egg or veggie
Minimalistic by
design, this stylish hotel is comfortable
by design, the bed occupied all the
burrito (£10pp). Komyuniti's menu
space between the end of the bathroom
features a range of pizzas, curries and
wall and the window. It felt a touch
bar bites, plus local craft beers and
claustrophobic and the oversized TV at
spirits. The hotel doesn't accept cash.
the end of the bed was too close to
There are plenty of pubs, restaurants
make viewing comfortable. However,
and fast-food outlets nearby. The hotel
Shoreditch, 309-317 Cambridge Heath
the room made smart use of space and
doesn’t have a car park of its own,
Road, E2 9LH London. yotel.com.
was super comfortable. The white walls
though parking facilities are available
Premier Queen rooms start from £140.
gave it a nice clean feel and the mood
nearby at 27 Brubeck Street, E2 OEL.
Steve Hartridge
40
IT'S NOT OFTEN A HOTEL IS DESCRIBED AS FUN BUT YOTEL SHOREDITCH WARRANTS THIS TAG
and great value. It is not often you would describe a hotel as 'fun' but it deserves this tag with its Smart technology and neat quirky touches. THE DETAILS
YOTEL London
THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.COM
Reality Check V8.indd 40
7/13/22 10:30 AM
