AREA LOKAL

Take in an exhibition at the Royal Victoria Dock, a 10-minute walk from the hotel. At The Crystal, you can learn what's in store for the city of the future, and children can get hands-on with a selection of interactive displays. Five minutes' walk down the dockside, you can also visit the ExCel London exhibition centre, which hosts events ranging from fashion shows to gatherings of classic cars.

You're spoilt for sighteeing choices if you take the DLR to Greenwich, about 30 minutes from the hotel. Don't miss a chance to learn all about Britain's seafaring past at the National Maritime Museum. A short walk away, you can get a feel for what life at sea was really like by climbing aboard the Cutty Sark, an elegant tea clipper that in its day was one of the world's fastest sailing ships.

If you're looking for a bargain, head to Westfield Stratford City shopping centre, three miles from the hotel, where you can browse 350 shops. When you've bought everything you need, tour the nearby Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, site of the London 2012 Games. Take the lift to the top of the ArcelorMittal Orbit observation tower and enjoy the fabulous panoramic views.

For a sightseeing trip with a difference, board the Emirates Air Line cable car for a 10-minute gondola ride across the River Thames. It starts from the Royal Victoria Dock, a 10-minute walk from the hotel. At the other end, you're five minutes' walk from The O2 arena, where you can take in a concert, catch a blockbuster movie or dine in one of the venue's many restaurants.

• The O2 Arena