Review: Hyatt House London Stratford

SLEEP: Looking for a reasonably priced, family friendly London hotel with a great location for the city’s shops and tourist attractions? We were seriously impressed by the brand-new Hyatt House, handily located within the Westfield shopping and entertainment complex. The newly refurbished aparthotel offers stylish studio and one-bedroom suites with a thoroughly modern décor - expect fully equipped kitchens, generously sized bathrooms, supremely comfortable beds and all the home comforts you could need. Staff are warm and welcoming, and will make you feel at ease. And if you’d rather a traditional hotel room the glossy Hyatt Regency is part of the same complex.

EAT: Located on the third floor of the hotel, the Elondi Restaurant is a real destination venue, offering guests, shoppers, and locals alike a peaceful and sophisticated oasis away from the lively walkways of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Westfield Stratford City - it’s a lovely spot to sit back with a glass of bubbly after a busy day of shopping. With Sicilian chef Alessandro Femino at the helm, the restaurant’s creative but unfussy menu bursts with inspiration from the iconic cuisine of his home region, while also celebrating local dishes and London suppliers.

Starters include delicate shucked oysters mignonette with fresh lemon, moreish H. Foreman & Son’s salmon fishcakes served with salmon caviar and Rose veal carpaccio with Tiptree grain mustard and Sussex Charmer cheese. The Braised Steak & Brixton Ale Pie - chef Femino’s signature main - is a real treat, combining rich and buttery pastry with succulent steak that has been tenderly cooked for seven hours. The restaurant’s take on Tandoori chicken brings a taste of neighbouring Brick Lane to the plate, while the crab linguine with chilli and lemon is a riot of simple ingredients cooked to perfection. Breakfast is also a lavish affair, with an excellent hot and cold buffet piled high with fresh fruit, warm pastries, smoked fish and all you need for a delicious fry up. Be sure to pop into the glitzy Elondi Bar and Terrace for one of its signature East London-inspired cocktails, such as the East India Docks Spiced Espresso Martini, or a chilled glass of English wine from the carefully curated drinks menu.

DO: Top entertainment and sports venues such as Westfield Stratford City, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the ABBA Voyage and The London Stadium are right on your doorstep, while Stratford Underground station is a convenient gateway to the rest of London’s attractions.

Top tip: London’s buzzing Hackney Wick area is a pleasant waterside stroll from the aparthotel. Spend a lazy afternoon exploring the various bars and restaurants along the canal, including Barge East (bargeeast.com) a historic 120-year-old barge serving sensational seasonal food.