Last updated: February 03, 2024
The Stratford Hotel is a buzzy luxury hotel located just 30 seconds from the Stratford International Train Station. Its imposing glass façade stands out a mile across the East London skyline – a beautiful building which boasts luxe bedrooms that are equally as stunning.
The epitome of ‘the design hotel’ – The Stratford is a feast for all the senses from the moment you step through the revolving doors and into the incredibly airy triple height downstairs restaurant, bar and lobby. Pioneered by Harry Handelsman (the man behind Chiltern Firehouse and the 10-year restoration of St Pancras Renaissance Hotel), the interior design concept of the hotel has been led by Danish design studio Space Copenhagen, channelling Scandi vibes which definitely dominate. Communal areas seamlessly blend between one another, with earthy tones, natural oak and concrete throughout.
I remember walking past The Stratford Hotel a few months ago on my way to another hotel. Exuding cool vibes from the outside, I looked longingly into the busy bar area wishing I was staying here instead of where I was actually booked in! Kitchen E20 at The Stratford was where it was all happening that night and so as soon as I’d checked in, I enjoyed a few cheeky (and may I add perfectly balanced) cocktails sat at the high stools, soaking up the addictive atmosphere. It’s a brilliantly sociable space, lending itself to big groups, works nights out and of course casual tipples for its hotel guests. With a small but carefully considered small plates list, everything I tried from the hotel’s pizza to shrimp sliders were five star restaurant quality, along with top notch service and bar staff who most definitely knew what they were talking about.
Of course, not all visitors are just passing through the bar area. There’s 145 beautiful rooms at The Stratford Hotel ranging from medium to the Manhattan studio. In addition, there’s also 248 furnished apartments which in true NYC style are available for one night, one year, or even longer should you require them.
Checking into The Stratford’s fancy Manhattan Loft Studio when I stayed, floor-to-ceiling glass windows and fancy contemporary interiors made this room just a little bit special. With awesome panoramic views, these super spacious spaces (65 square meters) show off a huge open plan area with super king size bed (and Egyptian cotton, a dining table and four chairs, tub armchairs, coffee table, sofa, hand crafted oak shelving and pine flooring.
The walk in / through wardrobe leads to a separate toilet and absolutely huge marble bathroom. A walk in rainfall shower, large free standing tub and delightful organic toiletries from REN complete the high end experience.
Bathrobes and hoodies are provided for ultimate comfort, along with a tablet for room controls and to communicate with reception with, and naturally there’s high speed wifi, and a moveable flat screen TV with SKY.
It’s the kind of room you immediately feel comfortable in – if sprawling designer hotel rooms are your thing (in case you hadn’t guessed, they are definitely mine!)
A design hotel as luxurious as this should offer up equally luxurious food and The Stratford Hotel really does excel beyond its gorgeous rooms. 7th floor destination restaurant Allegra is a high end eaterie, bar and outside terrace, with Patrick Powell at the helm (formerly of Chiltern Firehouse). Here, the sophisticated menu offers up market oysters to accompany your champagne, mains of Scottish cod and lobster and roast saddle of venison. The monthly changing tasting menu is great value at just £62 and well worth treating your taste buds. There’s also a delicious roasts menu on Sundays. Said to be one of the best in Stratford, it features pork, beef and a vegetarian pithivier. Cocktails are well thought out and include a range of signatures which move away from the usual – spirits include Remy Martin VSOP, Mezcal and vermouths rather than just the usual gin and vodkas.
Petroc Sesti artwork at The Stratford Hotel
Elevating boutique to loft living chic, The Stratford Hotel has carefully considered everything its guests could possibly want, and more. Terraces, mezzanines, casual eating spaces, fine dining, a state of the art gym and a really good breakfast in The Stratford Brasserie not to mention their absolutely gorgeous rooms make this a true five star experience from check in to check out.
With high speed trains getting you to King’s Cross in just 7 minutes and now on the newly opened Elizabeth Line underground, The Stratford Hotel might not be your first choice if you’re heading to London itself, but what you should definitely consider is that this is a hotel that has IT ALL.
