Only sometimes does a hotel leave us with a wow factor as we experienced. Upon our first entrance, a live DJ was spinning music in the hotel lobby. We stayed for five nights in the Manhattan Studio, which was perfectly suited for our family of 3.
The studio is 65 square meters, with the TV area, bedroom, and bathroom completely sectioned off so you can have privacy. The elegant stone bathroom has a bathtub with a floor-to-ceiling window adjacent to it, and the shower is in a neat space between the closed-off toilet room and the bathing area. There are two bathroom sinks in separate spaces, and all of the amenities in the bathroom are from Ren. Each room has a tablet that lets guests control everything from room temperature to calling and ordering room service at your request. The concierge service at The Stratford covers guests’ needs 24 hours daily.
Design is an integral component of The Stratford’s DNA. Danish design studio Space Copenhagen has carefully crafted the interiors with their hand-picked selection of bespoke furniture and accessories, paying particular attention to textures and surfaces. They created the interior design concept for the building’s lobby, hotel guestrooms, mezzanine, the ground floor Stratford Brasserie, and the seventh-floor restaurant, Allegra. The public areas have distinctive design characteristics but work together in unison, allowing visitors to move seamlessly between each space. Expect hints of Scandinavian style with serene pastel walls, natural oak in earthy tones, warm metals, and natural stones framed by a polished and dark-pigmented concrete floor, which contrasts softly with the strong, modern structure of the tower itself. The design is impressionable, perfect for a night to gather your friends and family, which we have done on separate occasions.
The ground-floor restaurant, Stratford Brasserie, serves such good food. We tried the bone-in ribeye beef with salad and chips and were blown away by the tenderness of the beef. Other favourites include pizzas for the little ones and sticky toffee pudding. Our group sat next to the distinctive fireplace while the DJ spun music in the background. During our stay, the Mezzanine cocktail bar was busy, while others had reservations at the positively reviewed Allegra restaurant on the seventh floor, where their chef serves seasonal cuisine.
The 24-hour gym is one of the best we have used. The weight rooms are spacious, and their workout machines have been newly purchased. The room key gives access to the gym, by using your room key. There is a sink to wash your hands and an area to top up your water supply and towel usage. If gym workouts aren’t your thing, other activities, such as yoga and meditation, exist on the rooftop garden.
