While London swelters, I am in the cool of Shoreditch House. The most recent addition to the Soho House group (of private members' clubs and hotels) opened in east London in 2007, with a rooftop pool, two restaurants, gym, Cowshed spa (tucked behind etched glass at street-level) and a bowling alley. Now Shoreditch House (an old biscuit factory) has added Shoreditch Rooms, by converting the pub next door into 26 "light airy bedrooms". Members (who get the run of clubs in west London, Somerset, New York, West Hollywood, Berlin and, later this year, Miami) get preferential rates, but for a little bit more, non-members (like me) can also stay, dipping our toes in city hipness without the four-figure joining fee. A marketing master-stroke.
Last winter, Soho House opened Dean Street Townhouse in central London. I stayed and had a ball. There was simply nothing – nada – to moan about (except the couple at the bar massaging each other's tonsils – then again, it was Christmas). Downy duvet and pillows, sublime bed linen, best bathrobes and bathroom kit in Britain (toothpaste, mouthwash, Cowshed cleanser, moisturiser, shaving gear, even lip balm, to take away) and in the shower, full-size Cowshed shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion. But I hear the rooms are really tiny, you say. Well yes, if you book the Tiny category, that is what you get, but if you go up one notch to Small, they are just fine.
So I'm checking in to my "Small" quarters on the first floor at Shoreditch Rooms. Not sure about "things to borrow" on the landing – board games alongside a leather crop, a feather on a stick, oh, and an old ironing board. Ah, but the room's clever. An urban beach cabana. What else would you put on Shoreditch High Street? From the muted wooden-clad walls and shuttered windows, and glistening white-tiled shower room right down to the shaving mirror and summery basket hanging on wooden pegs, it suggests "holiday".
It takes considerable effort to reach the rooftop pool, since I do not like lifts (the stairwell isn't the club's best feature) but when I get there – eeek. Only one person is swimming. Music is pumping out and tout Hoxton is up here in sunglasses.
Oh well. I scuttle back down to shower and change for dinner, which turns out to be well worth another climb. Only to the 5th floor this time, and with my friend Suzi, sipping Sonara juleps. The sun begins to dip, lights are dimmed, we are recumbent on low-slung turquoise leather high up in the sky. Bethnal Green has never looked so beautiful.
"It's nice to be excited about eating somewhere," says Suzi, scanning the Mediterranean menu. By now we are at a table beneath a sloping concrete roof inset with giant skylights. Bookshelves and pink velvet Knole settees divide the cavernous space. The acoustics are great – no clattering, just chattering over great music.
"You can't write that I'm having the calamari then octopus, you just can't," says Suzi.
"I'm not," I say, "I'm making a note of the sharing plates those people are eating on that sofa."
Sunday, 7.30am. Laps in an almost deserted pool. I fail to find the sauna or steam room, but by the time I'm eating breakfast in the sunny rooftop cafe, members are already bagging the sunloungers.
• Ebor St, E1 (+44 (0)20 7739 5040, shoreditchhouse.com). Rooms from £75 per night room-only. My breakfast of porridge and strawberries, with tea, cost £8.50; dinner around £21 for two courses, excluding drinks, plus 12.5% optional service charge.
What to do in the area, by the locals
A meal out
The Needoo Grill is similar to the more famous east London Pakistani grill restaurant, Tayyabs, with the same fantastic prices and the same amazing grilled lamb chops, but without the queuing.
87 New Road E1, near Whitechapel, +44 (0)20 7247 0648
Oliver Carruthers, arts and culture programmer at Rich Mix cultural centre in Shoreditch, which offers cinema, live music, theatre, dance, comedy and spoken word
A top shop
The East End Thrift Store has two branches, both with friendly staff and great prices. Visit either the warehouse in Stepney – which also hosts a monthly free drinks party – or its baby brother near Brick Lane for the best-value secondhand clothes, most of which cost a tenner.
Unit 1A, Waterman's Building, Assembly Passage, Stepney, E1, +44 (0)20 7423 9700; The Brick Lane Thrift Store, 68 Sclater Street E1, +44 (0)20 7739 0242 OC
A pint
Slightly over-crowded/over-hyped/over-touristy Brick Lane drag, but the Carpenter's Arms is still a great place to escape, with an interesting range of beers, good food, and a cosy patio which is perfect for sunny afternoon drinking.
73 Cheshire Street E2, +44 (0)20 7739 6342 OC
A night on the tiles
Wilton's Music Hall (watch the Guardian video) is a great place for a Hendricks gin & tonic (with a slice of cucumber), even if you're not watching a play or a gig there – though there is plenty of live entertainment on offer as well, from Creole choirs to classical quartets. It's one the oldest surviving music halls in London.
Graces Alley E1, +44 (0)20 7702 2789 OC
A quirky shop
Paper Dress Vintage is full of glamorous retro get-ups – you'll find everything from 60s minis to 80s jumpsuits, and even the odd piece from the 30s. They offer an alteration service, too.
+44 (0)20 7729 4100, 114-116 Curtain Road
Thomas Lennard, general manager, Shoreditch House
A stylish bite
It's owned by Soho House as well, but Pizza East on the ground floor of the Tea Building has been well reviewed for its thin crust gourmet pizzas with toppings such as buffalo ricotta, hazelnut pesto and baby chard. They also do antipasti such as seabass carpaccio with fennel, and broad beans with pecorino and mint.
+44 (0)20 7729 1888, 56 Shoreditch High Street, E1 TL
A walk in the park
London Fields park is like a grassy catwalk these days, with groups of trendsetters having barbecues in their amazing outfits – brilliant for people-watching. But it's still a normal park too, with people playing tennis and cricket, and families taking a stroll. The lido is great for an outdoor swim if it's hot, with a brilliant little cafe doing organic ice-cream in unusual flavours. If you leave by the southern gate, you'll end up on Broadway Market, with its Saturday market, pubs, cafes, shops and a decent restaurants. TL
