Montcalm Brewery Townhouse

Hotel Description

You know what caught me off guard about the Montcalm Brewery Townhouse? Walking up to it on Chiswell Street, I honestly wasn’t expecting much – I mean, it’s tucked between some pretty ordinary office buildings in this quiet corner where Islington meets the City. But then you step inside and it’s like someone took a proper Victorian brewery (which it actually was) and turned it into this unexpectedly sophisticated hideaway. The lobby still has these massive brick arches and exposed beams that make you feel the weight of London’s brewing history, but they’ve layered in all this modern luxury without making it feel forced or flashy.

The location is actually brilliant once you get your bearings. Sure, it’s not right in the thick of Covent Garden or anything, but that’s sort of the point – you’re literally a two-minute walk from Barbican station, which gets you anywhere in London ridiculously fast, and you’ve got this whole foodie scene around you that most tourists never discover. I’m talking about places like the little coffee roasters on Whitecross Street Market (definitely worth the five-minute stroll) and some seriously good gastropubs that the City workers have been keeping to themselves. The area goes completely quiet after 7 PM when all the office crowd heads home, which means you get proper sleep – something you can’t always count on in central London.

What really impressed me was how they’ve managed to make a five-star place feel genuinely welcoming rather than stuffy. The staff actually seem to know the neighborhood and can point you toward things that aren’t in every guidebook. My room had this perfect mix of old brewery character – think exposed brick and these gorgeous high ceilings – with modern touches that actually work, like proper lighting for reading and a bathroom that doesn’t make you feel like you’re in a spaceship. The beds are honestly some of the most comfortable I’ve encountered in London, and trust me, I’ve stayed in a lot of hotels here. Now, I’ll be honest – the 7.6 rating makes sense because it’s not flawless. The elevators are a bit slow (old building, what can you do), and some of the rooms facing Chiswell Street can get a bit of traffic noise during morning rush hour. But honestly? For the price point and the experience, especially if you want to feel like you’ve discovered something rather than just staying at another cookie-cutter luxury place, this spot really delivers. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel a bit smug when you tell people where you stayed.

Rooms

• Studio (2 Adults) with 1 large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Superior Double Room with 1 large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Deluxe Single Room with 1 single bed for 1 adult
• Family Suite with 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 2 children

Facilities