You know what caught me off guard about Hausd in Soho? I walked right past it twice before realizing this sleek, almost understated entrance on Gerrard Street was actually my hotel. It’s wedged between the chaos of Chinatown – I mean, you’re literally surrounded by dim sum spots and those red lanterns strung overhead – but somehow the hotel feels like this quiet, sophisticated escape from all that energy. The lobby hits you with this modern minimalist vibe that’s honestly refreshing after dodging tourists taking photos of every dumpling window display outside.
The location is absolutely mental in the best way possible. You’re basically in the heart of everything – Leicester Square is a two-minute stumble away (perfect for those late West End shows), and Covent Garden is close enough that you’ll find yourself wandering over for coffee without really planning it. But here’s the thing locals know: Gerrard Street gets properly busy during lunch and dinner rushes, especially weekends when everyone’s hunting for authentic Chinese food. I actually loved it though – there’s something energizing about stepping out of your hotel and immediately being in the thick of London life. The noise dies down after about 10 PM, so sleep wasn’t an issue, which honestly surprised me given how central everything is.
What really sold me on this place was the attention to detail that you don’t expect from a 4-star spot. The rooms feel bigger than most London hotels (and trust me, I’ve stayed in some shoe boxes), and there’s this sense that someone actually thought about how people use hotel rooms. Like, proper lighting for reading, outlets where you need them, and – this might sound weird – but the shower pressure was fantastic. You don’t realize how much that matters until you’ve had a few disappointing London hotel showers. The staff seemed to actually know the neighborhood too, which is rarer than you’d think. When I asked about avoiding the crowds at the British Museum, the guy at reception gave me specific timing advice that was spot-on, not just generic “go early” nonsense. I mean, staying here puts you within walking distance of basically everything worth seeing, but it’s nice when hotel staff can help you be smart about it rather than just pointing you toward the obvious tourist traps.