In The City… London’s hippest postcode and four more cities to visit this year

IN THE CITY...

Carrie Mitchell heads south for a weekend in London’s hippest postcode

When Olympic Park was built in 2012, I was a London resident and like most of the city, I was amazed at the transformation of the forgotten East End. Returning ten years later, I am once again dumbfounded. In my time, you’d only head to Stratford for Westfield or sport but now, there’s a whole new community in the former Athlete’s Village. Wide paved walkways weave around green spaces, ponds and water features are filled with wildlife, and cafes and bars are thrumming with life. It seems like the hipsters of Shoreditch and Dalston have all grown up, had kids and moved to E20. But the East Village has also attracted some seriously big hoteliers – not least, The Hilton Group who recently opened their Curio Collection hotel, The Gantry, here.

When I arrive off the train from King’s Cross (a mere 7 minutes away on the high-speed train), it’s a relief to step into an immaculate lobby and be greeted by glowing, friendly faces. The same cannot be said of my own. Having taken an early train from Waverley, I am feeling tired and grubby so I am grateful for the speedy check-in. Hopping in a lift and up, up, up, to my room (one of 290), I feel the tension slip from my shoulders the second I am over the threshold. Immediately dropping my bags and sinking into crisp white sheets, I take in the view – and what a view. Floor to ceiling windows look out onto the whole of London, I can even see the familiar shape of The Gherkin piercing the clouds.

After a blissfully powerful shower and a strong coffee courtesy of the in- room machine, it’s down to the first floor for cocktails and dinner in The Union Social, the hotel’s all-day bar and restaurant. There’s something for everyone on the menu from small plates to tailor- made grains and salads. It’s quiet but it’s easy to picture this space bustling with people – enjoying something sparking in the Coupe bar, heading outside to sit by a firepit on the terrace or tucking into sharing plates on the velvet sofas.

The Gantry make look like a behometh Hilton from the outside but inside, everything from the welcome to the décor feels much more personal, individual and chic. And there’s more to come too – this year sees the opening of a rooftop bar and terrace and a hipster provisions store, Stratford Grocer & Co. It’s all part of the hotel’s aim to offer locals and visitors alike a true taste of East London, and more reasons to want to return. I certainly will.

Train fares from Edinburgh to London on Lumo, the new low-cost, high speed electric trains start from £30, lumo.co.uk. King/Twin rooms at The Gantry cost from £209 including breakfast, thegantrylondon.com.

4 MORE CITIES TO VISIT IN 2022

The Grand Hotel, Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM

All eyes will be on the city when the 22nd Commonwealth Games rolls into town in July, coinciding with the Birmingham 2022 Festival which hosts dance performances, art exhibitions and film showings from March onwards. For the most impressive accommodation, check into The Grand Hotel, a historic landmark which recently reopened after 18 years of toil.

Virgin Hotel, Glasgow

GLASGOW

With Glasgow Comedy Festival currently on until 27 March, TRNSMT finally making a return in July and several new hotel openings (Virgin and House of Gods both set to open in the Spring), Glasgow has plenty to draw us westbound this year. When you’re there, make sure you explore the burgeoning food and drink scene in Finnieston and take a wander around Kelvingrove Park – the city’s answer to NYC’s Central Park.

Leonardo Hotel, Manchester

MANCHESTER

Inspired by the New York High Line, Manchester is getting its own park in the sky this summer when Castlefield Viaduct opens on a transformed derelict train line. If urban greenery’s your thing, you’ll want to stay at the new Leonardo Hotel, whose Jenga-inspired exterior will be draped with greenery and planters when it opens this spring in Piccadilly East, a new neighbourhood emerging behind the station.

INNSIDE by Melia, Newcastle

NEWCASTLE

Less than an hour and a half from Waverley, it’d be rude not to swing by our Northern neighbour for a weekend. Just five minutes from the train station, you’ll find INNSiDE by Melia, a new hotel from the Spanish hotel group offering stylish rooms overlooking the River Tyne. If you’re a festival fan, schedule your trip for June when Rock n Roll Circus, featuring Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds takes place in a Big Top on the Town Moor.