Hausd – Leicester Square

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first walked up to Hausd on Gerrard Street, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. The building sits right in the thick of Chinatown, and I mean *right* in it – you’ve got dim sum places and bubble tea shops literally on either side. But that’s actually part of what makes this place work so well. You’re maybe two minutes from Leicester Square (hence the name), but you’re tucked away on a street that feels like it has its own personality.

The thing about this hotel is that it gets the balance right between being modern and not trying too hard. The lobby’s got this clean, minimalist thing going on – sort of Scandinavian-meets-London – but it doesn’t feel cold or sterile like some of these newer boutique spots. Check-in was smooth, though I’d recommend getting there after 3pm because they seem to have a bit of a rush earlier in the day. The staff actually knows the neighborhood, which sounds basic but you’d be surprised how many hotels in central London hire people who’ve never ventured beyond the front desk. When I asked about getting to Borough Market, the guy didn’t just point me toward the Tube – he told me about the bus route that’s actually faster during weekend crowds.

What really surprised me was how quiet the rooms are, considering you’re basically in the middle of everything. I mean, you’ll hear some street noise if you’re facing Gerrard Street directly, but it’s more like a gentle urban hum than actual disruption. The rooms themselves are well thought out – not huge (this is London, after all), but cleverly designed so you’re not tripping over your suitcase. Good shower pressure, which honestly makes or breaks a hotel stay for me. The bed was comfortable enough that I didn’t wake up feeling like I’d been wrestling with it all night, and the blackout curtains actually work – important when you’re dealing with those ridiculously long summer days.

You know what I really appreciated? The location puts you right in the sweet spot where you can walk to Covent Garden, pop over to Soho for dinner, or just wander through Chinatown when you want some of the best noodles in the city. There’s a Sainsbury’s Local about three minutes away if you need to grab basics, and the Piccadilly Circus Tube station is close enough that you’re not dragging luggage for blocks. Parking’s basically impossible around there (fair warning), but if you’re staying here, you probably don’t need a car anyway.

The 8.4 rating makes sense to me – it’s a solid choice that delivers on what it promises without any major surprises, good or bad. It’s not going to be the most Instagram-worthy place you’ve ever stayed, but it’s the kind of hotel where everything just works, and you can focus on actually enjoying London instead of dealing with hotel drama. For a 4-star in this part of the city, honestly, that’s exactly what you want.

Rooms

• One-Bedroom Suite with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Loft with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed and 1 large double bed for 6 adults, 4 children
• Deluxe Suite with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• King Suite with Balcony with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Junior Suite with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Two-Bedroom Suite with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• King Suite with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults

Facilities