There are cities that become favorites even if you don’t actually live there. You simply enjoy them for all they have to offer and visit them as often as you can. When it comes to cities that offer what I enjoy, London has always ranked HIGH on my list. It has a certain charm. For me it’s magical.
The parks, gardens, walking along the River Thames, the art, the theater and so much more. And yes, the people too! Each time I visit and get to know the city better, I realize how good I feel when in London. She matches me well! There’s never a doubt when I visit that I will return. For my most recent visit I decided to spread my time in London across a variety of Hyatt properties, one of which was the Hyatt Regency London Stratford. I do like to sample different hotels in London, as well as different areas of the city, so this idea worked well for me.
Welcome amenity Hyatt Regency London Stratford
How I Paid and My Room Assignment at the Hyatt Regency London Stratford
Don’t think for a minute that I’ll go easy on the Hyatt Regency London Stratford as I pen this hotel and hotel room review. I may be a Hyatt fan girl, but that often means I hold Hyatt properties to a higher standard. After all, first impressions matter and if you’ve not yet stayed here I want you to have the best and most informed impression possible. I’m not writing to promote Hyatt. I’m writing to inform readers!
Specifics About The Hotel And Some Hyatt Regency London Stratford Backstory
The hotel was originally built in 2012 to coincide with the summer Olympics being held in London. It was originally an IHG property and privately owned by a family. It was rebranded and refurbished as a Hyatt and opened in May 2022. The building houses both a Hyatt House and a Regency. Interesting, right? I’ll say more about this below as I think they did an excellent job on the refurbish!
Entrance to Hyatt Regency London Stratford
The hotel is primarily a business hotel during week and leisure guests arrive on weekends. The leisure guests come to see the ABBA Voyage show performed every weekend at the mall.
The length of stay is typically two days and typically 40% of the guests are Hyatt members. Not many Americans choose this property, but it’s popular with the Brits!
How I Paid For My Stay
My recent stay at the Hyatt Regency London Stratford was for three nights. I could have used a World of Hyatt free night award or booked nights with Hyatt points. Hotels in London can be super pricey. The all cash rate hovered around $200 USD a night. I decided to pay cash for my stay.
Remember, if you’re paying cash for a hotel stay, let Pruvo monitor your rate for price drops!
This is a good hotel to use a World of Hyatt free night award that comes with the Chase Hyatt credit card yearly renewal as the cash rates during the busy season can be high. Hyatt Regency London Stratford is a World of Hyatt Category 4 property, meaning free nights start at 15,000 Hyatt points per night.
Because of my Globalist status with Hyatt I was proactively upgraded to a suite, and knew this ahead of time. That’s always a welcome gesture! Occupancy during my stay was around 50%. This meant the hotel/elevators/breakfast areas never felt very busy.
Pro Tip: Do you Pruvo all your hotels stays? If not, do what I do and let Pruvo monitor your reservations for price drops. It’s free and it’s the easiest way to save money on all your hotel rooms.
Using my Hotel Room Scorecard I broke down the individual elements of my Hyatt Regency London Stratford room which scored a 34 of 40 points.
Location (3/5)
The hotel places you a bit off the beaten path. By that I mean it’s not in the heart of the city, but rather at the city’s edge in Stratford. Stratford has a unique history that coincides with the hotel construction, so let’s mention that first.
The hotel is in the Stratford Mall. It’s a Westfield Mall and perhaps one of the biggest, if not THE biggest mall I’ve ever been to. Both the hotel and the mall were built in 2012 to coincide with the summer Olympics being held in London. As an aside, even if you don’t feel like exploring the mall, definitely check out the Olympic Village, the aquatic center, and the gardens and walking paths along the water. These areas are just across a footbridge only a few steps from the hotel.
The hotel location means you’ll be taking the trains to explore London. In case you’ve not been to London yet, or didn’t use the public transportation while you were there, it’s an incredible system that’s extensive and easy to navigate. No matter where I went in London, from the Stratford station it was never more than 15-30 minutes. It’s easy to get to Central London from Stratford. I didn’t mind using the metro at all, but that might make this hotel’s location a deal breaker for you.
Lighting (5/5)
The room did have natural lighting, with two floor-to-ceiling windows. However, the lighting was all overhead with no floor lamps.
When I need more light in a hotel room I often ask the staff and more often than not, they provide extra lighting. Management was proactive and really took my request to heart. They provided me with both a floor lamp and a table lamp.
Yes, I recognize that the average guest stays maybe two nights, but there are guests who work or just want to sit on the couch and READ with proper lighting. Having extra lamps available is always a great idea for hotels to consider. At least I think so!
Window Access (5/5)
Having floor to ceiling windows in both the bedroom and suite living room area made a big difference.
There are two levels of window shades, one for sun/privacy and one for black-out darkness.
I know it can be unrealistic to expect hotel windows that open, but for me that’s always what makes window access a 5 star rating, instead of a 4. I was able to open both the window in the living area and the bedroom.
Please take note, if like me being able to open a window is important to you, that the rooms at this hotel starting on the 8th floor are the rooms with windows that open!
Bed Comfort (4/5)
The bed was too soft for me, but not as soft as some beds at other hotel properties I’ve stayed at. And just in case you’re not already aware of this, bed sizes in the UK are different from in the States. They are smaller in width and often shorter in length as well. The pillows worked well and there were already different pillow types on the bed, so I was able to choose which worked best for me. Too often all the pillows are the same, but not in this case.
Bedroom in suite at Hyatt Regency London Stratford
Bathroom (5/5)
The only quirky thing about this bathroom is that the light switches are outside and on the wall by the closet. Other than that, this is a great bathroom. Why? Glad you asked!
First off, given the recent refurbishment of the hotel, I thought the bathroom design was perfectly done and the bathroom space functioned really well.
The bathroom was large and had an open shower design. Unlike so many open shower designs I come across in hotel rooms, the shower did not splash. The lip between the shower and the bathroom floor was high enough so no water spilled over from the shower to the bathroom floor.
Bathroom newly refurbished at Hyatt Regency London Stratford
One other shower design feature, which is unusual but brilliant, is that the faucets for turning on the shower are alongside the wall and apart from the shower head. This means when you turn on the shower you are NOT under the shower at all. Given all the quirky things that can happen when you’re new to a hotel room and use the shower, I thought this was a great idea!
I don’t know about you but ever since hotels started going to big canisters of shower gel/soap and shampoo, I bring my own supplies. I appreciate a shower where there are still trays on the wall where you can place your own supplies so my sundries don’t sit on the floor. You can see from the photos, this shower had a tray for sundries. Having a ledge for sundries is a simple thing that those of us who are now (or always did) bringing their own sundries when they travel might really appreciate.
Interior Appointments and Furnishings (4/5)
Let me mention a few odd design features. As with many hotel rooms that are newly designed, there was no dresser or drawers anywhere in the room, not even in the closets. The safe was in the living area by the fridge and coffee area. Other than these two design choices, I very much liked the way the rooms were designed and laid out.
I like when a hotel room is sparsely decorated. I prefer fewer pieces of artwork in a room. Even though the living room area was sparsely decorated with only one piece of art, it came together well. There was also an orchid in the living area opposite the couch. Lovely to look at!
Lovely orchid in suite Hyatt Regency London Stratford
Artwork Hyatt Regency London Stratford
I prefer, as is the case in this suite, wood floors in a hotel room with a splash of carpet. I did like the colors of the carpet and the couch colors. There were no pillows on the couch, though. I’m noticing more and more that couch pillows may be things of the past.
Having two tables in the living room was perfect. I was able to use one as a work and dining table and the other as a coffee table by the couch.
Interesting Design In Suite Living Space
I thought it was a good design touch that the long wall bench, which ran the length of the living room, had a cushioned area. This made it perfect for sitting at the table, rather than on a chair, while at the work/dining table. Often, chairs are both not comfortable nor the right height for ergonomically using a table for hours of work. The bench seating, which also positioned me directly under the ceiling light fixture as well as in an area with direct sunlight work super well for me.
View from entrance to suite Hyatt Regency London Stratford
I know I’m being long-winded here but the various options for seating (couch, chairs, wall-bench) make a world of difference if you have a stay that’s more than a day or two and also need to get work done while at the hotel.
Electronics (4/5)
Plugs and outlets were adequate. Two in the dining area, one by the couch and the other under the wall bench. There were outlets near the bed with universal plugs and USB charging ports. I needed to borrow an adapter. I recognize it’s on me to carry my own, which I do. Just needed an extra one this time around. The hotel did find one for me, so I appreciated that.
Amenities (4/5)
I’ve started requesting Yoga mats when I stay in hotels. Though there is a small gym in the hotel, they did not have any Yoga mats. I found this disappointing. If you’ve ever taken a close look at the “need anything extra” card presented in each Hyatt Regency hotel room, you’ll notice Yoga mat is listed. I’m starting to notice, though, how few hotels actually have mats. In the gym I didn’t see mats of any kind, just exercise machines and two huge physio balls.
The property provides water, and it was super generous whenever I requested more. It was also generous with whatever supplies you needed. That always leaves a positive impression on a guest.
When writing hotel reviews I often review the minibar and available snacks. The minibar and coffee area was well-equipped with a kettle and Nespresso style coffee maker. There was a good size fridge. No snacks. There was shelving above the coffee area. For an extended stay or a stay with a larger group when you might bring your own snacks or food items along, it’s quite a spacious area.
Both still and carbonated water options
Coffee area and closet Hyatt Regency suite London Stratford
Breakfast Options at the Hyatt Regency Stratford
For breakfast there is a restaurant area just off the lobby. It does end breakfast service at 10 A.M., which is earlier than most hotels. They had rules against taking away food, but they did understand that I needed to work rather than eat so I was offered a generous “bending” of those rules. It offers a full menu of plated foods. There is also a full buffet style option as well. I did not take breakfast but rather took a few items to go so I can’t comment on the breakfast service. The staff who helped me were courteous and mostly well trained. It did seem like there were quite a few new staff on board who were probably still in training mode.
Breakfast is 25 GBP if not included in the room rate. The menu is adequate. Not the best buffet I’ve seen here in London, but has all your basic breakfast items. I found it lacking in healthier choices. For instance, why not healthier cereal options than corn flakes and sweet cereals? Why not some healthier muffin or bread options? I saw nothing that was remotely whole grain.
There are many large common space areas at the hotel. There is a large pub style bar, the restaurant which does serve dinner, and work areas. They are well used by hotel guests.
Bar area Hyatt Regency London Stratford
When I review a hotel I always wonder what complaints hotel guests have, so I ask the hotel team. Other than guests not understanding the location isn’t London proper, clientele seem quite pleased with the property, and I understand why.
Hotel Service at the Hyatt London Stratford
While you can tell I was thrilled with the hotel room and thought the design and layout were excellent, I was also pleased with the service! This really does tie into my being generally impressed with the hotel.
I had an easy and excellent check-in experience. The team was helpful, energetic, and the check-in and lobby area are VERY well-staffed.
Lobby and front desk Hyatt Regency London Stratford
The evening staff is great as well. They helped me figure out how the laundry room worked, which was no small task 🙂 Yes, laundry room in a Hyatt Regency. This goes back to the building housing both a Hyatt House and a Regency. What a treat to have a laundry room to use and FREE of charge!
Housekeeping was always quick to deliver whatever I requested. If you’ve been traveling much this past year you might have realized how short-staffed many hotels are. I did not find that to be the case at the Hyatt Regency London Stratford at all.
If you choose to engage the hotel staff in conversation they are a fun bunch to chat with. There was never anything I asked for from housekeeping, the front desk team, or the hotel management team where the staff didn’t happily oblige. I thoroughly enjoyed the friendly, warm and very helpful environment.
Final Thoughts On The Hyatt Regency London Stratford
The Hyatt Regency London Stratford is an unusual hotel, in an unusual location, with an unusual concept. The hotel is a great value on points as well as when paying cash. What it offers and the service were both spot on.
The location puts you close enough to the city by metro. If you like to shop, you’ll be amazed by the Stratford Mall!
I would absolutely stay here again. Putting together this review was fun because it brought back memories of an enjoyable hotel stay in a city I’m quite fond of. I’m thrilled I tried something different when needing a hotel in London and glad Hyatt made the move to take over this property and do such a fabulous job with the refurbished rooms and building.
My friend who recommended I try this property will get a big hug when I see her next!
I think of the Hyatt Regency London Stratford as a hotel for people who enjoy mixing their hotel stay with spending time in a more local area rather than in a super touristy area. That certainly includes me and if it includes you, by all means gather up your travel gear and give this hotel a try and see what you think for yourself.
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