The Gantry
Craig Hough enjoyed a stay at The Gantry Hotel, Stratford, a design-led hotel in East London
Opening its doors for the first time in early November 2021, The Gantry is a design-led urban resort complete with upscale modern suites, a dedicated sparkling bar Coupe, Union Social for all day dining, and an artisanal food market from The Stratford Grocer with an integrated café on the ground floor.
Location
Situated 6 minutes from Kings Cross and a stone's throw from Stratford International station, The Gantry is ideally located for visitors wanting to explore the local area, from Westfield to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and is the perfect base for those wanting to go further afield into the capital.
Restaurant & Bar
The food offering at Union Social is a relaxed all-day menu with a global edge, reflective of London’s dynamic food scene and international population. Hailing from Sicily, Executive Chef Salvatore Coco, has travelled extensively and his menus reflect this, featuring flavours from all around the world, while elevating local produce from the Southeast of England. Small plates include Genovese Focaccia, Bottega’s cured cuts with fresh cheese and prawn croquettes with aioli while larger plates range from tarragon risotto with roasted autumnal vegetables, sesame glazed sea trout with white miso tamari-mirin infused ginger broth and Greek lamb meatballs, tzatziki, pickled red onion with pine nuts. A menu of healthy salads packed full of grains are light enough for guests looking for a quick lunch or mid-afternoon snack, and ideal for laptop toting professionals working from the venue.
The drinks offering at Union Social has been created by Walter Pintus, an award-winning mixologist who has been involved in some of London’s finest institutions from The Ritz and The Connaught to The Mandrake and most recently The Conduit. Union Social’s ‘Travelling Urban Flavours’ cocktail menu will feature classics with a twist; where a Paloma is infused with British beetroot and thyme and a Piña Colada is finished with a touch of salted caramel. There is also an extensive wine and spirits list to delight all tastes and occasions.
Coupe at Union Social is The Gantry’s very own Sparkling Bar. Occupying an eye-catching illuminated counter bar, with its own banquette seating and outdoor terrace, Coupe at Union Social will offer an ever-changing menu of effervescent specialities, from championing English sparkling wine to introducing the newest Hard Seltzers. Guests will be able to choose from some of the UK’s finest fizz from revered estates such as Gusbourne and Rathfinny, as well as enjoying Champagne, Prosecco, and a concise list of sparkling cocktails and spritzes.
Guest Rooms and Suites
The hotel has an incredible 290-rooms and we enjoyed a stay in a King Deluxe Room with Olympic Park panoramic view, with a complimentary set of binoculars included within the room to see every detail. The room also boasted a 49” screen HD TV, toiletries by Grown Alchemist and a gorgeous Chaise longue to kick back and relax on.
Coming Soon
Literally setting the bar high for al fresco partying in 2022, The Gantry will welcome the highest rooftop bar in East London when it opens its 18th floor in Spring next year. With floor to ceiling windows, the sky bar will form the cocktail epicentre of The Gantry and the much-anticipated venue will offer a truly iconic sunset across the capital when the bar and outdoor terraces come alive with live music and DJs.
Our Visit
The Gantry is the fourth property within the Curio Collection in the capital and offers guests the perfect East London location. Russell and the front of house team could not have been more welcoming on arrival and were quick to check us in and deal with our enquiries. The level of service flowed throughout the hotel as we enjoyed dinner with Executive Chef Salvatore Coco, who prepared the meal in the open plan kitchen as we took in the atmosphere. The serving team were incredibly enthusiastic about working at the new venue and had a great knowledge of the menus. Their excitement for the upcoming opening of the sky bar really shone through, and you can see this will be one East London hotspot to watch leading into the warmer months.
Personal Note
With shopping on your doorstep and travel links a stone’s throw away, The Gantry is the ideal East London location for a chic stay in the capital. With a rooftop bar on the horizon, book in for their summer parties now before it’s too late.