Premier Inn London Stratford Hotel

Guests familiar with the Premier Inn brand won’t find many surprises here: there are few on-site amenities aside from a restaurant serving breakfast and comfort food, and the hotel has fairly stylish and modern interiors. A bright lobby features large black panels depicting the different phases of the moon, metallic-colored seating with black patterns, cute round lamps in pastel colors, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the mall. There are a couple of machines for self-check-in in the lobby, and a staffed reception area can be found on the first floor. With plush chairs, wooden floors, large windows, and wallpaper with flower prints, the restaurant feels warm and cozy. Guests here come from all walks -- families, couples, businesspeople, solo travelers -- and are drawn by the brand's reliable quality and proximity to Stratford International train station.

The hotel is located on the premises of Westfield Mall, one of London’s major shopping destinations. There are dozens of restaurants and shops right at the hotel’s doorstep, and a smaller mall with a few additional local stores can be found a three-minute walk away. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is also directly adjacent to the hotel. There are no other major attractions within walking distance, but Stratford Station, served by the tube, the DLR, and international train lines, is right next door to the property. Reaching central London easy and fast, and most major sights -- including St. Paul’s Cathedral, Brick Lane Market, the Tower of London, and the British Museum -- can be reached in 30 minutes. The O2 Arena, host to major concerts and events, is less than 20 minutes away by tube. Gatwick Airport takes about 70 minutes to reach by train and tube. It's 75 minutes to Heathrow by public transit. Trips to both airports by taxi are long and expensive -- expect more than an hour to Heathrow and nearly 90 minutes to Gatwick.

Rooms at Premier Inn London Stratford are generic but clean and contemporary, with basic wooden furniture, carpeting, and a few pops of plum in the soft furnishings -- the distinctive shade is the chain’s corporate color. Walls are hung with bright floral art, and a decorative plum-colored headboard adds a bit more visual interest. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, smallish flat-screen TVs, electric kettles with free tea and coffee replenished daily, and air-conditioning, but rooms lack minibars. The hotel uses high-end Hypnos mattresses -- a particularly nice perk for a mid-range option -- and beds are comfortable, with duvets, crisp white linens, and a pillow menu. Most rooms have king beds, but some have twin or double beds, and Family Rooms can fit up to a double and two twins. Bathrooms have shower/tub combos or shower stalls, and wall-mounted gel dispensers. For the best views, request a room overlooking the Olympic Park.

Thyme Restaurant serves good comfort food in a bright, cozy dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows, plush carpets over wooden floors, and comfy armchairs and sofas around wooden tables. Full English and continental breakfasts are served at Thyme every morning for an extra charge, and kids under 16 receive free breakfast when accompanied by an adult ordering at least the basic breakfast option. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi throughout. Connectivity can be slow at times, but it can be upgraded for an extra fee.