Everything from Prada to Primark. Now that’s a pretty impressive shopping centre.

Throw in easy access by rail or road, and a perfect hotel for an overnight stop, and you have all the makings of an ideal break… if you like to shop.

Where am I? Well, just a year ago, millions of people walked through this shopping centre on their way to the Olympic Park – Westfield at Stratford City, home to more than 200 shops and restaurants, as well as a cinema and casino.

I was one of those Olympic visitors then, but this time, Westfield itself was my destination, and slap bang in the middle of it is the Holiday Inn London-Stratford City, the ideal base.

From its impressive terrace you can look out over the Olympic Park as you plan your campaign. And if you start to flag, that same terrace is the perfect spot for a lavish afternoon tea, away from the crowds below.

When you finally stagger back to your room laden with bags, the hotel’s Bodycraft Beauty Therapy service can help you unwind with a massage. We stayed for dinner, bed and breakfast in a very smart and comfortable executive king room, with expansive views over the park and London skyline.

If you like a bargain, now is a great time to visit – there are sales on everywhere. I spotted a cashmere jumper marked down from £89 to £28 and lasted all of a very restrained 30 minutes before making my first purchase of the day (swimsuit, £10, down from £24).

It’s not just about the shops, though. The Olympic legacy is taking shape and the Queen Elizabeth Park was hosting Hard Rock Calling on the weekend I visited, with Kasabian and Bruce Springsteen headlining on respective nights. Coming up, there’s the Yahoo! Wireless Festival with Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z (July 12-14), and the park will also host the Open East Festival (July 27-28), a family-orientated weekend of music, food and entertainment at a very pocket-friendly price of £9.50 for an adult.

What will become East Village is already growing out of the buildings which housed 17,000 athletes during the Games, and will be welcoming the first residents this summer.

Transport links make this a really convenient base – whether you come by train into Stratford International or a very easy drive, with 24hr parking at Westfield for just £5. And from Stratford, the rest of London is your Oyster card. We hopped on a tube just a few short stops to explore the buzzing markets and trendy vibe of Spitalfields and Brick Lane.

Back at Stratford, the Olympic legacy is everywhere, from the artwork in the hotel to the view over the landmark ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture. And if you thought that friendly Olympic spirit was a one-off, think again. It’s alive and well among the staff at the Holiday Inn. The service is second to none, smiling and genuine.

For a weekend break, it’s not just on the podium, it’s a gold medal winner.

Factfile:

The Holiday Inn London- – Stratford City has a special summer in the city offer, with accommodation based on two sharing, breakfast, a bottle of refreshing bottle of chilled Prosecco and British strawberries to enjoy in the comfort of your room, from £99 per room per night for bookings made in July for stays between August 1 to -September 8. Contact 020 3301 4040, quote ‘CHAMPERS’. Terms and conditions apply.

Holiday Inn London-?Stratford City: www.hilondonstratford.co.uk
Bodycraft Beauty Therapy: www.london-beauty-therapy.com
Westfield shops: www.westfield.com/stratfordcity
Olympic park events: www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/
Find out more about future development at: www.eastvillagelondon.co.uk/
Holiday Inn London-Stratford City is at 10a Chestnut Plaza, Westfield Stratford City, Montfichet Road, Olympic Park, London E20 1GL, tel 020 3301 4040.

How to get there: By rail, to Stratford International Station. ByStation – take the escalator to Westfield Shopping Centre and the hotel is outside straight ahead. From Stratford mainline and underground station, it’s a five minute walk.
By road, head through the Blackwall Tunnel to A12, then A11 direction Stratford A118. A, at Bow Interchange take first exit left onto High Street A118 and follow signs for Westfield Stratford City Car Park B.

Debbie Neech was a guest of Holiday Inn London-Stratford City