StyleNest headed east to review London–based hotel, restaurant and rooftop bar, Boundary.
Less than a decade ago booking into a hotel in London’s East End would be unheard of. Now the go-to area for London’s fashion, arts and media set, Shoreditch plays host to high-end boutiques, Michelin star restaurants and must-visit bars, as well as keeping its ‘rough around the edges’ credentials with a helping of independent art galleries, pop-ups and the like.
Boundary, Shoreditch’s hotel-come-restaurant-come-rooftop-bar epitomises this. From the outside there’s nothing showy about Boundary – with an almost undetectable entrance, the converted Victorian warehouse building sits stealth amongst the likes of cult beauty brand Aesop and private members club Shoreditch House.
Inside however the scene is different. Boundary’s interiors style is much like its clientele – confident, artistic, and creative. Each of the 12 rooms and 5 suites are individually designed, a process headed up by Terence Conran no less, with a wealth of the design world’s most revered talents as collaborators.
After a warm, friendly welcome from a charming doorman, who even knew our name before we’d managed a ‘hello’ (points for personalised service!), we checked in headed up to our suite.
Designed by Sir David Tang, the Hong Kong entrepreneur who started the likes of Shanghai Tang and runs the China Clubs in Hong Kong and Beijing, our suite was utterly beautiful. Curiosities brought over from China filled every space of the painstakingly curated room, from an ornate, carved console table topped with fresh flowers, to Chinese silk wallpaper.
In the living area, a vibrant colour palette of mandarin orange and zesty, lime green counteracted the deep, woody tones. This lead through to a separate bedroom, all panelled wooden walls and a sprawling bed topped with luxury linens. In the bathroom, each and every surface and fitting is mirrored – a daunting thought at first, but perfect for doing your makeup pre-dinner and drinks. Supplied with Aesop products from the nearby store, fluffy robes, glossy magazines and bar stocked with premium full-sized drinks, the Boundary don’t do luxury by halves. Floor to ceiling glass doors line the bedroom and living space, opening up onto a private balcony encasted by fragrant, fresh herbs.
We headed up to the Boundary’s rooftop terrace for pre-dinner cocktails. In the summer months you’ll find a waiting list to get up here so book or arrive early to catch the sun set over the high-rises, the Gherkin and the rattling overground trains– the perfect way to watch London’s beautiful grime and glamour go past.
Huddled beneath blankets, heaters over head and sat amongst the heady aromas of the Boundary’s herb garden, warm whiskey cocktails in hand, we couldn’t have picked a better spot to spend a London Friday night. Although not the main restaurant, the rooftop does offer a tasty, ‘la Méditerranée’ inspired menu at great value for money. The cod fritters are a must-try to accompany your tipple.
It was back down the seven storeys, to the Boundary’s basement where their main restaurant is situated. The modern French menu contemporises classic cuisine, whilst making the most of some of London’s artisan food makers – from the best British beef and lamb to cheese sourced from Marylebone’s La Fromagerie.
Starter dishes are encouraged to be shared, and the menu suggests three plates per two persons – although we found the portions large enough just to order one. The duck liver terrine with figs and sourdough encompassed rich, dark flavour with a little sweetness, whilst the Oeuf Forestier cured our posh scotch egg craving.
For main, we sampled the Agneau rack of lamb for two. Served whole and encrusted with a vivid green, herby crust, Mediterranean vegetables and rosemary sauce; it’s carved at the table and decadently served up. It was one of the best racks of lamb we’ve had and we’d return to the restaurant just for this.
The dessert menu is just as hearty as the rest, with French classics from tarte tatin to crème brûlée, soufleés to rhubarbe citron on offer. The Boundary’s restaurant is certainly a place you’d come for a decadent dinner, not a quick supper. It’s filling and gluttonous, in a good way, and worth the wait for a special occasion.
Post-dinner we popped up at the restaurant’s adjacent bar, filled with beautiful vintage glassware, sunken leather chairs and a wall lined with luxury liquors from vintage Armagnacs to fine eaux de vies. Suited up in classic white bar jackets, the mixologists here really know their stuff and are happy to create something to your taste. Our rose petal martini washed down very well.
As our stay at Boundary came to an end we realised that it’s the brand’s attention to detail, the hidden extras and the confident yet warm approach that sets it apart. Yes, the concept may have been dreamt up by Terrance Conran, the rooms filled with luxury and the restaurant serving up French fine dining, but it’s done so without being stuffy or conceited.
There’s certainly a time and a place for luxury five-star stays in London’s Mayfair or Kensington, but if you’re after something just that little extra, it might be worth heading east next time.
Need To Know:
Rooms: 12 rooms and 5 suites
Rates: Doubles from £200 per night
Checkout Time: 11.30am
Facilities: All the restaurants and rooms are wheelchair accessible and step free. One of the Boundary Rooms has been designed to ensure unrestricted mobility around the room and bathroom. Complimentary WiFi throughout. Apple TV has been installed in all the suites, with an effortless stream of HD quality movies, TV programmes, photos and more. Conran iPod docking stations with Bluetooth capability in each room. Large flat screen, LCD TVs in rooms. 24hour room service. Hair straightener available upon request. Visiting beauty therapists. Outdoor terrace in suites. Complimentary Aesop skincare products in bathrooms.
How to get there: Boundary is situated on Redchurch Street, Shoreditch, just 1minute walk away from Shoreditch High Street Overground Station, or a 5minute taxi from Liverpool Street Underground and train station.
Boundary Restaurant, Rooms and Rooftop, 2-4 Boundary Street (entrance on Redchurch Street), Shoreditch, London E2 7DD
Tel. 020 7729 1051