So I stayed at Hotel Indigo right on Leicester Square, and honestly? The location is absolutely wild – I mean, you’re literally in the heart of everything. Step outside and there’s the M&M’s World (touristy, yes, but my kids loved it), Chinatown is a two-minute walk, and you can practically roll out of bed into the West End theaters. Actually, that’s both a blessing and a curse because Leicester Square gets pretty mental on weekends, especially after 10 PM when all the theater crowds spill out.
The hotel itself has this whole boutique vibe going on – you know how IHG does their Indigo properties with the neighborhood-inspired design? Well, they’ve leaned into the theatrical history here, and it actually works. The lobby feels more like a stylish living room than a typical hotel reception, with these rich blues and golds that somehow don’t feel overdone. My room was on the fourth floor (thank god for the lift because those stairs are narrow), and while it wasn’t huge – this is central London, after all – it was cleverly designed. The bathroom was surprisingly spacious, and the shower pressure was decent, which you can’t always count on in older London buildings.
What I really appreciated were the little touches that showed someone was thinking. The blackout curtains are legit – crucial when you’re dealing with all those neon signs from the square. There’s a Nespresso machine (not just instant coffee, hallelujah), and the bed was comfortable enough that I didn’t wake up feeling like I’d been wrestling with it all night. The staff seemed genuinely helpful too, not just going through the motions. When I asked about getting to Camden Market, the guy at reception actually gave me three different route options depending on whether I wanted scenic, fast, or cheap.
Now, let’s be real about the downsides – parking is basically non-existent unless you want to pay through the nose at the nearby NCP, and if you’re a light sleeper, request a room facing away from the square because it does get lively. The 7.6 rating makes sense; it’s solid without being spectacular. You’re paying for that location, and whether it’s worth it depends on what you want. If you’re here to see shows, explore Covent Garden, or just be in the thick of London’s energy, then honestly, you can’t do much better. I spent way less time in tubes and buses because everything was walkable – Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, even Oxford Street if you don’t mind a bit of a stroll. For a four-star in this spot, it delivers what it promises without any nasty surprises.