This London hotel's light installation helps fight the winter blues
Some people embrace the seasons, but I genuinely feel happier (and healthier) in sunshine. I don't rejoice when the clocks go back, the night's draw in and we all disappear into hibernation mode, I like sunny days, blue skies and not having to wear layers and layers of clothes. So when I heard about an installation called Sunday Light which replicates sunshine while you dine in a hotel in East London, I was intrigued. Could this be the boost my body needs this winter?
So what exactly is Sunday Light?
Sunday Light's the brain child of Imperial College London and Royal College of Art graduates, Sean Hammett and Nat Martin who have created a large UFO-looking installation with an LED that produces over 30,000 lumens, cooled by flowing water.
This isn't some eccentric student project, there’s science behind the art – apparently just 30 minutes sitting beneath it is enough to achieve your recommended daily light intake, which helps improve mood and energy levels. Good news if you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which millions of people in Northern Europe do.
I checked in to Montcalm East hotel off Old Street with a sun-loving friend to experience Sunday Light for myself. Things started off well as we entered Marlowe café bar via a tunnel of light, which was an instant mood enhancer before we even sat down. Once seated, it was on to the serious stuff: eating, chatting and, err, light bathing.
What was it like?
The light was intriguing. Very different to the harsh artificial lights I'm used to in winter, but neither was it the soft, subtle light I’d imagined – it felt like being bathed in sunshine, without the harmful UV rays or need to wear shades.
Apparently people who suffer from SAD are recommended to spend time in front of a prescribed bright light to help, personally I’d rather bathe beneath Sunday Light (though apparently it would cost more than £7,000 to install one in my home!).
I genuinely felt like I’d been sitting in sunshine, and we definitely left the table (90 minutes later) in great moods, but whether the was the light, the delicious chicken wings or the company, I guess we'll never know. Either way, the experience was uplifting for me.
Tell me more about the food...
If you’re craving carbs now the nights are drawing in you’re going to love it here as the menu features major comfort food dishes, think Cumberland sausage and mashed potatoes with onion gravy and flat Iron chicken, crushed new potatoes and broccoli.
We opted for a selection of starters, including sticky, moreish Korean chicken wings with spring onion, chilli, sesame, a creamy, gloopy burrata which we scooped up with crispbreads and perfect mouthfuls of salt and pepper chilli squid dipped in a sriracha mayo. It was mood-enhancing food as well as lighting.
And what about the hotel?
Five-star all the way. Based in a striking diamond-shaped building inspired by op-art artist Bridget Riley, it’s a stroll from Old Street tube station on the edge of Shoreditch, and its interiors are very much a nod to its creative East London surroundings, from the Brit-led art work to the focus on photography including black and white prints, a sexy little red velvet Photo Lab on the Mezzanine level where you can snap Polaroids and drink cocktails, and resident photographers running workshops.
See how cool the Montcalm is for yourself... BOOK NOW
Modern, slick and very comfy. I stayed on the 12th floor in a Junior Suite Dreams which had stunning city views through floor-to-ceiling windows, particularly at night – although all 288 rooms are exterior facing with large windows, so there’s danger of pokey, windowless accommodation here.
If you’re into gadgets, you’ll be excited by the automatic curtains, control panels (there are buttons for everything from Do Not Disturb and Bedroom Light to Clean My Room) and Nespresso machine with free Flying Horse Coffee pods. If you’re more into the comfort side of things, you’ll rejoice at the fluffy robes (the sofest hotel robes I've ever worn), snuggly bed (so comfy getting out of it is a problem) and rain shower and underfloor heating in the bathroom – btw everything’s provided, from toothbrushes to hair conditioner, so you can pack light.
There’s a gorgeous spa in the basement, including a pool, Jacuzzi and a long list of treatments, including bang up-to-date options like an LED face mask or a quartz stone facial. You can even have couples’ treatments or mum-to-be spa days, which isn’t something you’d expect to find in the heart of Silicon Roundabout.
Do it!
To find out more about Sunday Light and book the table (until mid-Nov), click here. Marlowe restaurant starters from £14, mains from £18-29. Rooms at Montcalm East available from £220pn BOOK NOW
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