SiR Devonshire Square: A Room with a View and an Unexpected London Discovery
London never ceases to surprise me. Just when I think I know the city, I discover another corner that makes me see it in a different light.
This time, George, Lulu and I ventured east for an overnight stay at SiR Devonshire Square, a four-star boutique hotel and part of the SiRcle Collection.
What began as a staycation turned into a rather unexpected discovery of a part of London I hadn’t fully appreciated before.
Where History Meets Contemporary Design
Housed in a handsome red-brick building dating back to 1768, Sir Devonshire Square is a lovely example of how London’s historic architecture can be given a new lease of life.
With just 81 rooms and suites, the hotel has an intimate boutique feel, offering something quite different from the larger hotels in the City.
The interiors, designed by Sam Wright, bring a contemporary sensibility to the building’s historic character. I have always been fascinated by the way thoughtful design can transform an old building while retaining a sense of its past.
A Room with a City View
We stayed in one of the hotel’s suites, a beautifully appointed space with a warm, contemporary residential feel.
Rich timber finishes, soft muted colours, statement lighting and thoughtfully designed living spaces gave the suite a welcoming atmosphere. The suite featured a generous bedroom and a separate sitting and dining area, with plenty of space for George and Lulu to settle in.
And waiting for them were their own dog beds and a packet of treats from Different Dog. It’s always lovely when hotels make our four-legged companions feel like guests in their own right.
But what made this stay particularly different from our recent hotel adventures was the view.
Instead of looking out over manicured gardens, rolling countryside or historic landscapes, this time we were surrounded by the lights of the city.
With the Gherkin and the City’s striking modern architecture so close by, the illuminated skyline brought back memories of my years living in New York.
There is something about a city at night that I have always loved. The energy, the architecture, the lights glowing from countless windows. It reminded me of Manhattan, a city I called home for so many years.
And while I love escaping to the countryside, I realised how much I also enjoy being surrounded by that urban energy.
It was an unexpected feeling of nostalgia, right here in London.
A Tale of Two Londons
What makes SiR Devonshire Square particularly interesting is its location.
Situated on the edge of Shoreditch, the hotel sits between two very different sides of London.
To the east is Shoreditch, with its creative energy, independent boutiques, street art, bustling markets and ever-changing restaurant scene. It is a neighbourhood that marches to its own beat.
To the west rises the unmistakable skyline of the City of London, where historic streets meet soaring glass towers and the pace is dictated by the financial world.
And somewhere between these two contrasting worlds sits Sir Devonshire Square.
It is this juxtaposition of old and new that makes London such a fascinating city.
An Unexpected Reunion at Cinnamon Kitchen
One of the pleasures of exploring a different neighbourhood is stumbling upon places you hadn’t planned to visit.
We were delighted to discover Cinnamon Kitchen right there in Devonshire Square. And what made the discovery even more special was unexpectedly running into Chef Vivek Singh.
We had met Vivek years ago at Cinnamon Kitchen in Battersea, when he had Coco, a cockapoo. It was one of those lovely moments when two seemingly unrelated chapters of life unexpectedly connect.
We also discovered several other dog-friendly places in the neighbourhood that we would have loved to try. Clearly, there was far more to explore than we had anticipated, and certainly enough reason to return.
An Evening Celebrating London
Our stay also coincided with one of the hotel’s curated evenings, when James Manning gave a talk about his new book, London Neighbourhoods.
It seemed particularly fitting to be listening to someone talk about London’s many neighbourhoods when we were in the middle of discovering one for ourselves.
These curated evenings add another dimension to the hotel experience. Rather than simply providing somewhere to sleep, they offer opportunities to connect with the culture, creativity and stories of the city.
And what better city than London for that?
You can be a part of these sorts of events, talks, panels and workshops and you can see all events on Eventbrite.
Sometimes the Best Discoveries Are Close to Home
One of the pleasures of living in London is being able to enjoy a little staycation without having to travel very far.
As someone who has travelled extensively with dogs, I am always delighted to discover another hotel that welcomes four-legged guests. And while we often travel far and wide, this stay reminded me that we don’t necessarily have to leave London to enjoy the excitement of discovering somewhere new.
What began as an overnight stay at Sir Devonshire Square became so much more, a historic building with contemporary design, a suite overlooking the city, a chance reunion, an evening of fascinating conversation and a neighbourhood full of places still waiting to be explored.
And that, for me, is the magic of London. Just when you think you know it, it surprises you all over again.
