I and Lieutenant No.1 went on a wheelchair adventure in Shoreditch and at the end we needed somewhere that I had been told was ‘chair’ friendly – the Zetter Hotel. I had asked previously if I could see the disabled rooms so they were ready for me. I didn’t expect much as I have been told by hotels before that they are disabled friendly only to find insurmountable problems such as a bath with a single grab rail or a room where the mini bar blocks wheelchair access to the bed?!!
The entrance was easy to negotiate and the hotel is small so there is never far to ‘wheel’. All areas are accessible including the bar and restaurant – Bistrot Bruno Loubet. We didn’t try the Bistrot but I will be back to review as it looks good. The decor is modern but is in no way minimalist and I agree with Wallpaper when they say ‘The modernist design has enough wit to charm [and] there is an attention to detail that marks this enterprise as one born of passion’.
The room had everything you would need as a wheelchair or stick user and I was amazed. The only thing missing was a wardrobe where the rails can be lowered – but I’m being ‘picky’. Apart from the Missoni in Edinburgh (see my older posts), I have yet to see a more well equipped room which is not decorated like a 70’s hospital. It was as ‘stylish’ as the rest of the hotel.
As if that wasn’t enough we were asked to look at The Zetter Town House in St. Johns Square just behind the main hotel. I braved the cobbles and entered the Georgian Town House. This is most definitely my kind of place, the quirky antique filled Cocktail Bar was wonderful and unusually no one is allowed to stand everyone has to be seated. So for once my eye line was not at the level of everyone’s crotch! We went up to the room which again was very well thought out for a person with disabilities. What a pleasant surprise two stylish disabled rooms in one hotel complex.
But back to the Cocktail Bar, we were offered drinks but unfortunately I was off alcohol for the day so I just had a homemade lemonade. Good, but I’m going back to try the cocktails, will post an update!! I also want to go and re-visit the stuffed cat and the boxing kangaroo??!
Both The Zetter Hotel and The Zetter Town House get 3 BBS Ticks. A well designed, inclusive and thoughtful approach to ‘Disability with Style’.
P.S. I am reliably informed that the Zetter is only two stops on the tube from The Olympic Park – a place to stay, away from Stratford, if you have Olympic tickets.
