You know what struck me first about the Montcalm Brewery? It’s this gorgeous red-brick Victorian building that actually used to be Whitbread’s brewery headquarters – and honestly, they’ve done something pretty special with the conversion. Walking up from Barbican tube (about three minutes on foot), you can still see some of the original brewery architecture, which gives the whole place this authentic London character that most chain hotels just can’t fake. The location is brilliant if you’re doing business in the City – I mean, you’re literally surrounded by those gleaming office towers, but tucked away on Chiswell Street so you’re not dealing with the main thoroughfare chaos.
The rooms have this interesting industrial-meets-luxury thing going on, with exposed brick walls and these massive windows that actually open (rare in London hotels, trust me). I stayed on the fourth floor and could see right across to the Barbican Centre – quite nice in the evening when everything’s lit up. The beds are properly comfortable, though I’ll be honest, the bathrooms feel a bit cramped for a five-star place. What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets at night despite being in the heart of the City. Weekends are dead silent since all the office workers disappear, but even weeknights it’s surprisingly peaceful. The staff seem to actually know the neighborhood too – the concierge gave me this perfect walking route to St. Paul’s that avoided all the tourist crowds around Cheapside.
Here’s the thing though – this isn’t your glossy, cookie-cutter luxury hotel, and that 7.2 rating makes sense when you consider it’s more about character than perfection. The check-in can be a bit slow during busy periods, and some of the fixtures feel like they need updating. But there’s something genuinely charming about staying in a building with this much history, especially when you’re exploring the old City of London. If you’re the type who wants to be within walking distance of the Museum of London, Smithfield Market (grab breakfast at those early-morning cafés), and all those hidden Wren churches, this spot really delivers. Plus, you’ll feel like you’re staying somewhere with a story rather than just another glass box hotel.