18 December, 2017
Joining the influx of members' clubs that are hitting East London to fulfil the needs of city cool cats (see also The Curtain), Devonshire Club fills an 18th-century former East India Company warehouse which stands proud on pedestrianised Devonshire Square. Sophisticated and seductive, it's billed as a place where "Mayfair chic meets East End style" a description which extends to the crowd - largely suit-wearing but not supercilious - who are no doubt attracted by the club-cum-hotel's diverse spaces which facilitate going from business lunch to evening date.
Both sleek and serviceable, 68 bedrooms and suites fill five floors, with understated decor spruced up by characterful touches such as acid-yellow armchairs, magenta throws and decorative mirrors. We were particularly impressed by the bed, which was easily big enough for four, while fresh flowers and dazzling white bathrooms made the room feel bright and airy.
A traditional menu boasts cereal, eggs any way and a full English. Wash down with LA-style juices such as "isotonic refuel", containing yuzu and activated charcoal.
Head to the 110-seater brasserie where the gleaming sushi bar is the star of the show - and one our favourite things about the Club. While the à la carte menu offers homely dishes like steak or truffle mac 'n' cheese, it would be a waste not to go Japanese - if only to watch the experts whipping up perfectly made rolls in front of you.
Yes, three. Relax among eclectically chic surrounds in the design-led champagne bar on the ground floor, or head to the more grown-up library bar, reminiscent of an old-school smoking lounge. The cocktail bar lives up to its moniker of "St Tropez meets St James", oozing opulence and often hosting live music nights. All hum with a heady buzz of anticipation - no doubt facilitated by carefully crafted cocktails mixed up by top-notch bartenders.
Wifi, extensive fitness studio (including classes and personal trainers), reciprocal clubs around the world.
If you're looking for a small boutique hotel, this is probably not for you.
Shoreditch with its many shops, bars and restaurants, while it's also well-located for city workers.
