Tried & Tested

Hotel review: Aparthotel Adagio London Stratford

3 Jul 2021 by Hannah Brandler
Aparthotel Adagio

Background

Adagio is a joint venture between Accor and the Pierre and Vacances Center Parcs group. Open since April for essential stays and May to all, this is the brand’s sixth UK property. A London Sutton property is due to open in July 2021.

What's it like?

The four-star aparthotel is set in the former London Olympics Athletes Village. Now called East Village, the area is home to more than 2,000 apartments, numerous independent food and drink outlets and hotels such as the Stratford (which we reviewed in 2019) and, opening next March, the Gantry London, Curio Collection by Hilton.

The 16-floor new-build’s design incorporates geometric shapes in teal, pink, grey and blue and contemporary elements that draw inspiration from Stratford’s industrial heritage. Check-in was quick and at check-out you can simply drop your key in a box. To the right of reception is the Circle, a shared living space with a large kitchen, table football and plenty of seating areas designed for working, dining and chatting with fellow guests. The concept was launched by the brand in 2018 and aims to bring guests and hosts together in a convivial atmosphere.

It’s a nice idea, with guests able to interact in the communal areas while still having the option to seek personal space in their own apartment. The hotel also puts on socials here, inspired by events in the area or suggestions by guests.

In this hotel’s case, The Circle is an open-plan area with a youthful decor, featuring geometric patterns, pot plants, and pops of blue and pink to brighten up the room. There’s also a “library of objects” from which you can borrow the likes of plants and games for your stay.

Circles in shades of pink and green form a map of the world on the back wall of the lobby, featuring polaroids of staff members and guests as part of the ‘Adagio Community’. A blackboard next to the two elevators features daily inspiring quotes and the weather forecast for the day.

Aparthotel Adagio London Stratford

Where is it?

On Celebration Avenue, just down the road from Westfield Stratford City shopping centre. It’s a two-minute walk to both the DLR, for easy access to London City airport, and Stratford International, which runs six-minute trains to St Pancras International. Stratford station is an eight-minute walk away for the Underground and Overground. There is a car park on-site.

Aparthotel Adagio Stratford Views

Rooms

The 136 units are a mix of 26 sqm studios (double or twin bed, on floors one to 11) and 35 sqm one-bedroom apartments for up to four people (levels 12-16). In the studios, the double bed converts into a sofa, giving you more space to work. All have a kitchen with a dishwasher and Nespresso machine, a table for dining or working, free wifi, a TV that you can pair your devices with, and Keiji bath amenities.

Guests are provided with a laminated brochure with information on the appliances in the room – I was told that this was in the process of transitioning to a digital version with a QR code.

Décor is similar to the rest of the hotel, with wooden floors, a colour palette of pinks, teals and greys, and artwork includes framed geometric shapes and photography of London hotspots such as Knightsbridge and the Southbank.

My 14th-floor one-bedroom apartment had a living room with a sofa bed and a dining table for four. There was a safe, plenty of plug sockets and USB points, and blackout curtains. Large glass windows offered views of the Shard and the City in the distance. I had a peaceful night’s sleep thanks to the lack of noise and curtains which blocked the light from entering.

There are laundry facilities on the lower ground floor, with a humorous ‘lost socks’ hook board, and refuse stores on every floor should guests need to take the rubbish out.

Aparthotel Adagio Stratford Room

Food and drink

While the apartments are self-catering, you can use the shared kitchen in the lobby area to prepare meals, or purchase snacks and drinks at the small shop next to reception. There’s a Sainsbury’s next door. The hotel intends to offer a buffet breakfast from July (when I stayed in early May I could order a grab-and-go breakfast).

Meetings

None

Leisure

There’s a small gym, or go for a run in nearby Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Aparthotel Adagio Stratford The Circle

Verdict

A very well-connected aparthotel in a rejuvenated area of East London that continues to see new developments crop up. The apartments are comfortable, The Circle is an inviting place to work, and staff are friendly and approachable. It’s close to London City Airport and easy to get into central London.

Fact box

Best for

A comfy home-away-from-home for experiencing East London’s independent traders and ample parkland

Don’t miss

Striking up a conversation with fellow guests in the Circle

Price

Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in September started from £148 for a double studio

Contact

Celebration Avenue, Penny Brookes Street; +44 (0)20 4524 7900; adagio-city.com

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