Hotel Indigo Clerkenwell review: A stylish base for a blissful night's sleep in London

Upon arrival at the Hotel Indigo Clerkenwell, you are first struck by the large ring sizer behind the reception desk. This sets the tone for the newly opened hotel, which draws inspiration from the area's history, combining innovation with the traditions of clock-making. First impressions are strong: a clean, stylish foyer with bright lights, a bar, and friendly staff, all just a 10-minute walk from Farringdon Station, making it an ideal spot for escaping the busy city.

The hotel’s Sabini Bar has the makings of a sexy and secluded spot for cocktails outside of the city centre. Still, given its newness, it is yet to take off, which is a shame considering it has a wide range of bespoke cocktails and a stimulating backstory that fans of Peaky Blinders will love. However, the neighbouring Hat and Feathers Pub (also owned by the hotel) was bustling with punters all night long. So if you’re searching for atmosphere and don’t fancy getting the tube into central, this is a great option.

We dined in the hotel restaurant, which poses a similar story, lots of promise, an interesting menu, but the service needs polishing. The service was relatively slow, and our mains and starters arrived together. The staff were attentive to the point that it became overbearing. However, the food was excellent. We ordered mushroom arancini with a sriracha mayo, which were rich with umami flavours. Lamb meatballs, which were succulent and meaty, were served with a slightly sweet marinara-style sauce. My dining partner enjoyed a steak accompanied by next-level chips and peppercorn sauce, while I opted for the chicken supreme with a creamy garlic mash. We also split a tasty Caesar salad (just girly things) that was heavy on the croutons and big on flavour.

We opted to take our desserts back up to the room and eat them in bed (the epitome of decadence). My friend enjoyed a many-layered red velvet cake, which, sadly, was a bit too dry to be enjoyable, while I savoured a delicious Basque cheesecake with raspberry coulis. We washed down our desserts with a glass of Prosecco and Rose, which we ordered from the bar - much to the envy of the guests we encountered in the lift on the way to our room.

Each room has an analogue clock outside the door, displaying the room number, adding a unique touch to the hotel while subtly nodding to the area’s past. However, the real highlight is inside the room, an ample space (a rarity in London), featuring an enormous bed and a flat-screen TV. The room boasts a sleek dressing table, featuring a lit mirror and a cleverly designed hideaway bathroom to save space. The bathroom is spacious, featuring a large waterfall shower and motion-activated mood lighting. The hotel room comes with luxurious Urban Apothecary bath products (in the scent Fig Tree) and towels that provide complete coverage for your modesty.

The palatial bed is enormous and soft, providing the perfect setting for a relaxing night’s sleep. With plump pillows and an airy duvet, it does give the illusion of sleeping in a cloud. The room comes with all the desired amenities, including a hair dryer, deluxe white robes, slippers and air conditioning (a must in this weather!) We struggled to access any streaming services on the TV, but luckily, 13 Going on 30 was showing on the terrestrial channels.

As two hardworking, corporate girlies, a good night’s sleep is rare to come by; luckily, the soft bed, blackout curtains and perfectly chilly air con meant we slept for a solid 8 hours, which alone is reason enough to return to the Hotel Indigo.

Breakfast at Hotel Indigo Clerkenwell is exemplary, offering a diverse range of continental and cooked options. It runs until 11am, and when we eventually hauled ourselves out of bed at 10:45am, there was still an ample choice of pastries, baked goods, fresh fruits and Full English items - don’t miss out on the hash browns or soft scrambled eggs. I judge a breakfast by the quality of the sausages, and this one was delicious. Other highlights included a sweet and buttery blueberry muffin, large flaky chocolate and hazelnut-filled croissants and frothy coffees made to order.

I am interested in seeing whether the Wilderness Kitchen (the hotel’s restaurant) can become a standalone dining destination. It has the components of a great place to eat in Clerkenwell, where options are more limited than in other parts of the city. It features a stylish, low-lit décor with comfortable booths and large tables, a varied menu, and well-executed dishes. I think with a bit of polishing and some good word of mouth, it could become a nice place for working lunches or an evening meal if you live nearby.

As for the hotel itself, it’s great. New, stylish, comfortable, and well-located. It’s a great spot to stay if you’re planning on visiting London for a few days and want a base away from all the hustle and bustle of central London. It’s just a short jaunt from St Paul’s Cathedral and Barbican tube stop, we even took an Uber to Selfridges the next morning, and it only cost £15. The bed is sumptuous, and the room is surprisingly large for London. I’d absolutely stay here again, and I’d recommend it to anyone coming into town for business or pleasure.

The standard room with a queen-size bed costs around £179 per night, which I think is great value for money, especially in London.

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