The Gantry

Sit the word ‘Curio’ next to Hilton and you might picture a surprisingly meek younger sister, disrupting the glamour at Paris or Nicky’s Sweet 16. But in the context of the Hilton hotel empire, the term comes with the highest of praise. One of a handful of Curio Collection hotels in the capital, The Gantry - located mere metres from Stratford International - does a good job of burying its big name credentials under the subtler trappings of a more boutique affair. The lobby feels like a living room, complete with warm lighting and comfy sofas in varying shades of mustard and paisley; the room decor is tasteful and masculine, with faux-vintage chests contrasting against flashes of copper and metal.

All of that goes up in smoke when you reach their rooftop STK Steakhouse restaurant, which is like stepping into the lift in Made in Chelsea and emerging from it in TOWIE. But if you’re after a slice of respite following a long train journey, that feels like an oasis despite being approximately twelve paces away from the city’s second biggest shopping centre, then stick between floor 0 and 16 and you’ll be grand.

Why stay at The Gantry?

There’s no shortage of places to rest your weary head near Stratford thanks to its transport hub status and the proximity of next door retail behemoth Westfield, but many have a function-over-flourish attitude to them. Drop your bags, get your eight hours, and then head to the train. If you’re after somewhere that feels a bit more of a treat, however, then The Gantry ticks the boxes of both convenience and charm. With rooms starting from £169 per night for a King Room (their most basic, despite the regal name), it’s good value for what you get.

What are the rooms like at The Gantry?

Fairly spacious, with pleasing little touches. We stayed in a King Deluxe, which was laid out well so as to demarcate the sleeping area from the more functional bits (tea station, chest of drawers, coffee table for any pesky laptop working). There was a well-stocked tea and coffee selection including biscuits - an immediate thumbs up - plus dressing gowns and slippers in the bathroom, nice smelly stuff courtesy of Grown Alchemist, and floor-to-ceiling windows so as to take in the London skyline/ people watch the crowds tumbling out of the neighbouring bars. And don’t worry, there are blackout curtains to keep the aforementioned at bay when you want to kip.

What’s the food like at The Gantry?

Those full-length windows come into their own in the morning too, turning the breakfast room into a bright and airy, hangover-blasting space with a spread that takes in a full range of hot items, a continental selection, crudites and an egg station. It’s their main restaurant, the STK Steakhouse, that might polarise people however. 

Very clearly designed with #content in mind, it’s a curious (no pun intended) choice for a hotel that puts its tastefulness front and centre. Neon signs saying things like ‘Bubbles are a girl’s best friend’ and ‘Dare to be’ adorn the walls. Fake flowers are everywhere. The menu ranges wildly from cheap and cheerful happy hour specials like a £9.99 cheeseburger and chips, to a £135 USDA cowboy steak. The food we try - a nicely done black cod with bok choi; an incredibly rich cacio e pepe tortelloni - all subscribe to the ‘more is more’ school, where a fancy meal is dictated largely by the amount of butter and salt involved. If you want to pop up for the views - and the views really are knockout - go small and get their ‘Lil Brgs’. What they lack in vowels, they make up for in juicy flavour.

What’s the service like at The Gantry?

Polite and helpful, as you’d expect from somewhere in this price bracket. For all the STK’s slightly questionable choices, our waiter was a delight - attentive, chatty and warm. The table next to us were celebrating a birthday and the restaurant clearly have this sort of occasion down pat, serving up a cake and candles and taking photos of the group. Just be careful with the lifts: your room card will only take you as far as your floor, so if you’re heading up to the roof then you’ll need to come all the way down and back in a special restaurant lift. As we found out after standing in a non-moving box for five minutes.

What’s the area like around The Gantry?

Situated slap bang between the International station and Westfield (both are literal seconds away), don’t go expecting a charming neighbourhood of boutiquey surprises. Otherwise, there’s literally everything on your doorstep: shops, cinemas, restaurants, bars and - crucially - multiple train and tube lines to take you to whatever other neighbourhood you might want to visit.

Details

Address: 40 Celebration Avenue, Stratford E20 1DB

Price per night: Rooms from £169 per night

Closest transport: Stratford is a 5 minute walk, Stratford International is next door

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