PA Life checked into an exciting, design-led hotel in Stratford, one of the most dynamic and creative neighbourhoods in London. The Stratford, Autograph Collection, joined the global Autograph Collection portfolio of distinctive independent hotels in 2024. The hotel offers something a little different with design and creativity at the core of its offering. Here’s the low-down of the fantastic facilities and spaces at the property…
The hotel is designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the architects behind the Burj Khalifa, and led by CEO Harry Handelsman, the visionary behind Chiltern Firehouse and St Pancras London Hotel. You won’t miss this striking addition to the East London skyline, with its gravity-defying double cantilevers and bespoke art collection. The 145 contemporary guestrooms and studios, curated by Space Copenhagen, combine natural materials and soft, neutral tones to create a calming retreat.
The Stratford, Autograph Collection a focal point in the Olympic Park area
Autograph Collection Hotels are hand-selected for inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality, offering distinct and immersive experiences that leave a lasting impression.ย At The Stratford, this is inspired by the Olympic legacy of growth and transformation of the local area. Guests are invited to plant a seed on-site, symbolising growth, renewal and connection to East Londonโs cultural regeneration.
Great culture and shopping make The Stratford, Autograph Collection a place to stay
The Stratford offers a prime location with seamless access to some of the cityโs most dynamic cultural, retail, and entertainment destinations. Situated just moments from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Westfield Stratford City, guests can easily explore world-class shopping, dining, and sporting attractions. The area is home to major landmarks such as the ABBA Arena, Sadlerโs Wells Theatre, and the upcoming V&A East, further cementing Stratfordโs status as a cultural and creative hub.
For sports enthusiasts, The Stratford is within walking distance of the London Stadium, Copper Box Arena, London Aquatics Centre, and Lee Valley VeloPark, all legacy venues from the 2012 Olympic Games that continue to host international events and community activities.
The hotel also benefits from exceptional transport connections, making it a convenient base for exploring both London and beyond. Stratford Station serves as a key interchange, offering access to the London Underground, Overground, DLR, and National Rail services, connecting guests directly to central London, Essex, and Kent. With Elizabeth Line services, guests can reach Liverpool Street in under 10 minutes, the West End in 15 minutes, and Heathrow Airport in just over 40 minutes, making The Stratford an ideal destination for both business and leisure travellers.
Inviting rooms and suites with natural decor mixed with old-world opulence
The 145-room interiors fuse Scandinavian style with old-world opulence via serene pastel tones, natural timbers and elegant stone bathrooms. Contemporary and relaxing, each room has floor-to-ceiling windows with plenty of natural light.
Room categories range from Junior, Stratford and Manhattan Studios, which feature both living and dining spaces in addition to capacity for hosting 3 guests, to Standard, Superior, Executive, Accessible, Deluxe and Family Rooms, suited to couples, families and friends alike. All rooms are furnished with king, queen or super king size beds with Egyptian cotton sheets, in addition to Dualit coffee machines, bespoke vanity mirrors, Jo Loves toiletries, The Stratford hoodies, in-room dressing gowns and a stocked mini bar.
The Stratford is happy to welcome well-behaved dogs, up to 8 kilos unless it is a guide dog (one dog per room). Dogs are also accepted in Kitchen E20, Terrace E20 and The Lounge. Guests booking a dog friendly room will be required to sign a waiver form, charged ยฃ50, and will receive a dog bed, water bowl and blanket included within the room.
Need to know about the rates and facilities at The Stratford, Autograph Collection
Room rates start at ยฃ179 based on two sharing a double room.
Fitness Centre
Ideal for sports lovers, The Stratford Gym features the latest equipment from Technogym and a private studio with curated fitness classes. The fully equipped fitness centre is open for 24 hours, 7 days a week, and features free weights, rowing machines, a stair-climber, strength equipment, treadmills and cardiovascular equipment. Guests also have the opportunity to experience a range of Olympic Venues through a series of exclusive partnerships, including the Copper Box Arena, London Aquatics Centre and Lee Valley VeloPark. ย
Opportunities include (but are not limited to) private guided tours of the Olympic Park and selected Olympic Park venues and discounted/free event tickets (subject to availability).
Eating and drinking at The Stratford
The are five bars and restaurants to choose from:
The hotelโs all-day restaurant, Kitchen E20, serves a seasonal modern British menu in a light-filled space with an impressive triple-height ceiling, housed underneath verdant boughs of ivy and fern, featuring creative salads, robata-grilled fish and meats, and indulgent larger plates. ย The bar serves a blend of house cocktails with a focus on flavour and fun. A curated wine list, draught and bottled beer and exceptional coffee make up the rest of the picture.
In the Spring and Summer months, guests can also enjoy the Terrace E20, which caters for informal get-togethers and al fresco dinners with evening cocktails. It is a versatile space suitable for various social occasions.
The Mezzanine is a world-class speak-easy style cocktail bar tucked away in The Stratford. It offers contemporary twists on classic cocktails, along with an extensive selection of premium spirits and champagnes. The Mezzanine also serves as a creative and musical hub, featuring live music, DJs, and events, especially on weekends.
Opening May 2025, Kokin is a fire-led Japanese restaurant by acclaimed Chef Daisuke Shimoyama, offering an omakase-style menu shaped by tradition, seasonality and precision. Located on the seventh floor with panoramic views over Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the restaurant features two terraces, a dedicated sushi bar, and a woodfire kitchen using Binchotan charcoal and cherry and apple woods. The drinks programme includes a curated selection of sakes, Japanese-inspired cocktails, and natural wines in collaboration with local supplier, Provisions Wine & Cheese.
The Lounge offers a cosy community space furnished with armchairs and a fireplace for relaxed drinks, light snacks or reimagined cocktails with a selection of DJs and bands bringing their unique, eclectic energy every Friday and Saturday night, with lineups spanning house, funk and disco. Guests can also gather in The Lounge for seasonal afternoon teas.
Great spaces for your meetings and events
With a collection of 5 modern event spaces, they each offer plenty of options for both personal and business functions with flexibility to accommodate numbers from 2 to 150 guests. Each space is flooded with natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows and are fully equipped with 5G Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs and digital projectors.
The Mezzanine boasts 727.2 SQM and is perfect for large conferences, weddings, meetings and networking events. Designed by Space Copenhagen, the Scandinavian duo behind NOMA and 11 Howard, the room centres around a large fireplace and balcony that overlooks the hotelโs stunning, triple-height lobby below. When booking the Day Delegate Rate Package, this includes exclusive room hire, dedicated events planner, selection of teas, coffee and pastries upon arrival, morning and afternoon tea breaks, lunch menu, mineral water, TV screens, 5G Wi-Fi and contemporary meeting room environments including stationery, notepads and pens.
Artwork plays an important part
Artwork featured within the hotel includes โMurmurationโ by Paul Cocksedge, which complements the buildingโs unique architectural composition. โMurmurationโ hangs as a centrepiece above the lobby, creating an impactful experience for guests and is part of Paul Cocksedgeโs ongoing experiments with paper, exploring what it means as both a material and cultural artefact. Itโs a particularly relevant subject as the digital world increasingly dominates lives, and our relationship with the printed page changes.
Additionally, โAnatomy of the Voidโ is featured in The Stratford courtyard and is asculpture by Artist Petroc Sesti. Over the years Petroc has been developing moving liquid sculptures, creating multi-ton optic spheres. It’s the largest installment to date in the development of solar powered fluid artworks that contain states of chaos and order. The sculpture, weighing over six tons and standing seven meters tall acts like a vast crystal-ball, that bends light and dramatically transforms landscape and architecture surrounding it.
The Stratford has a one-of-a-kind art collection which can be found throughout the building. Some of this collection nods to Stratfordโs Olympic legacy with a selection of artwork focused on the London 2012 Olympics placed in the hotelโs gym and other public areas.
