From the moment we walked into The Courthouse Hotel in Shoreditch, a Grade II listed former Magistrates Court and Police Station, my partner and I were treated like royalty.
After being escorted to our room, which overlooked the spacious roof terrace with impressive views over London, there was a knock on the door. As it was my girlfriend’s birthday, we were treated to a complimentary glass of prosecco, which was a lovely touch.
Our room was beautifully furnished, with a king size bed, the finest percale bed linen and plump pillows that my girlfriend said (the following morning) were among the most comfortable that she had ever slept on. From our floor to ceiling windows we had a splendid view of the surrounding area and across the City.
After freshening up, we went for a delicious three course meal in the Judge and Jury dining room, which in its previous life had been a court room where the Kray twins were once charged with ‘demanding money with menaces.’ Across the impressive lobby, is the Jailhouse Bar, which houses converted prison cells where you can have a drink and enjoy a luxury spell in a cell.
Saturday morning was taken up with a leisurely and sumptuous buffet breakfast (served till 11am). The quantity, quality and variety of food available was magnificent with cereals, cold meats, cheese, smoked salmon and fruit, as well as a very tasty full English, of which the sausages were a special treat.
When we couldn’t eat anymore, we asked for a tour of the hotel and the lovely Valeria, who had brought us our prosecco the previous evening, escorted us to look at the very impressive and elegant event rooms where they hold functions such as conferences, weddings and bar mitzvahs. The basement also housed a pool area with stream and sauna rooms as well as a spa. The fully equipped gym was adjacent. There was also a sports room with table tennis table and two bowling allies which would make for a fun corporate night out for team bonding.
Then the room that I personally was interested in, that being the 100-seater cinema. With a bar area just outside, with movie memorabilia adorning the walls, this would be a perfect place to mingle, have a drink before taking in a film on the big screen. What better setting for a viewing of the screen adaptation of my book to movie BESTSELLER, Wrong Place Wrong Time, produced by Golden Mile Productions, once it’s complete.
All in all, we had a fabulous evening and stay at this hotel and one that I would highly and wholeheartedly recommended. We will most definitely be returning in the very near future.
Courthouse Hotel: 335-337 Old St, London EC1V 9L 020 3310 555
