The Napoleon Hotel, Shoreditch, hotel review

The Napoleon is London’s smallest grand hotel with just one luxury suite. Yes, you read that right – just one room. The newly renovated hotel also features three bars; Sack, The Devil’s Darling and Black Rock – all of which deliver a selection of drinks to your room, via a service elevator. Now that’s what I like to call room service.

What’s in the area?
Everything your heart desires – shops, bars, restaurants and cafés. It’s also a short distance to London’s well-known Old Street, so the options for dining out are limitless.

What about drinks?
There are drinks aplenty – I highly doubt The Napoleon will ever run dry. When entering the room you are greeted by six complimentary Aske Stephenson pre-made cocktails (I’m talking about the good stuff) and a very extensive mini bar. As mentioned earlier, drinks can be ordered and delivered to your room so you can enjoy a just-made negroni without leaving the comfort of your room. If you do feel like venturing outside the four walls, you’ll find one of the very different bars downstairs to your liking.

We headed to Black Rock, an impressive whiskey bar, for pre-dinner drinks and snacks. Most of the room was taken up by a vast table made from half an oak tree, with clear compartments inside where whiskey distills before your eyes.

After being talked through the drinks menu I ordered the sweet highball (bulleit rye, house ginger ale and lime spritz) while my boyfriend Nick ordered the bartenders special creation – a smoky, sweet and citrussy apertif. These were sipped between bites of soda bread slathered with seaweed butter and a baked oyster topped with gratinee, garlic and a beer crumb – very tasty pre-dinner snacks.

What’s in the room?
A four-digit pin is emailed to you before you arrive so you don’t need to check in or worry about carrying a key or keycard. In the entrance of the room there’s a bar fridge, tea and coffee station and filter tap, with a hot water option.

Swing a left and you’ll find the frequently-used service lift before coming into the comfortably-sized suite. It’s lavish and well-equipped with a dreamy super-king bed, modern lounge area (with many boozy bibles), desk, TV and a wooden antique liquor cabinet that is fully stocked with tipples, treats and a full bar-tending kit.

Free wifi and Spotify are provided as well as an Amazon Alexa who will answer those unusual about-to-fall-asleep questions, weather queries and will play you any song, so long as you can say it in an accent she understands. We used it wisely… Nick asked Alexa to play Snoop Dog several times.

How about the bathroom?
There’s a somewhat seaside vibe with the blue ombre wall tiles and wicker chair. The big, beautiful roll top bath is the undeniable highlight of the bathroom. Large fluffy white towels and Aēsop toiletries are provided.

How was breakfast?
Simple and full of all the best types of carbs – croissants, muffins and bread. Plus, with a side of Nutella you can’t go wrong.

What’s the damage?
The luxury suite with bathroom, including a light breakfast for two, starts at £180 per night.

Anything else to add?
Be prepared to get boozy, you don’t need to go out when you can have a wild night in… especially with Snoop Dog as company.

For more information on the hotel please visit www.napoleon-hotel.com.