Hot spots: Qbic Hotel London

A quirky budget hotel in the East End with a unique design concept.

The Cubi, a "cube-shaped living box" (top) that stands in each bedroom and includes bathroom, bed, lighting, electricity sockets and even a television in one compact structure. The free-standing pods were invented for the first Qbic, in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. Made in China, they arrive flat-packed and each can be assembled in five hours.

The Cubi brings down costs and means the Qbic guys (two Dutchmen) can convert vacant office buildings into hotels in just a few months.

Almost everything, from the wooden hunting cabin in the lobby - in which guests are invited to sit, to get away from it all - to the automated check-in booths, to the converted office building the hotel is located in.

The rooms have no fridges but several vending machines in the communal lounge (right and top) sell everything from crisps and chocolate bars to soups, pies and fair trade and organic snacks. A selection of local beers is also available. A continental breakfast of cereal, bread, yogurt, fruit and cheese costs £7.50 (HK$95). A complimentary hot-drinks counter on each of the four guest floors and the breakfast-to-go bags, containing a cereal bar, an apple and a fruit juice, that are hung on guest doors, are nice touches. Most of the food is sourced responsibly and locally, so you can expect muesli made in Bermondsey and jams and preserves from Borough, both in south London. Occasionally, chefs serve impromptu hot meals and soups at Qbic. If none of that appeals, some of London's trendiest eateries and bars are within walking distance (in the more upmarket parts of Shoreditch) and Brick Lane, home to more Indian restaurants than you can shake a poppadum at, is practically down the road.

Just steps away from the East End's Whitechapel Gallery, the location is both gritty and up-and-coming, punctuated by gleaming office towers and down-at-heel convenience stores and takeaways. The area is not touristy nor prettified, but is extremely well-served by Tube and overground trains. It is also within walking distance of achingly hip boutiques, cafes and art galleries.