Montcalm Piccadilly Townhouse, London West End

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about the Montcalm Piccadilly Townhouse? It’s actually tucked right into the chaos of Shaftesbury Avenue, but somehow manages to feel like this elegant refuge once you step inside. I mean, you’re literally in the heart of Theatreland – I could see the Lyric Theatre practically from my window – but the moment those doors close behind you, it’s like someone hit the volume down button on all that West End madness. The lobby has this sort of sophisticated townhouse vibe that actually lives up to the name, with rich fabrics and proper attention to detail that doesn’t feel stuffy or overdone.

What really impressed me was how they’ve nailed that balance between luxury and livability. The rooms are genuinely spacious by London standards (and I’ve stayed in enough shoebox hotels here to appreciate that), with these beautiful high ceilings that make everything feel grander. Honestly, the beds are incredible – I’m talking about that perfect firmness where you sink in just enough without feeling like you’re being swallowed. The bathrooms are properly done too, with rainfall showers that actually have decent water pressure, which… well, anyone who’s traveled knows that’s not always a given, even in five-star places. I loved the little touches like the quality toiletries and how they’d clearly thought about storage space – there’s actually somewhere to put your stuff that isn’t the floor.

The location is pretty much unbeatable if you want to be in the thick of things. You’re a two-minute walk from Leicester Square tube, Chinatown is right there when you need proper late-night food, and you can stumble back from basically any West End show without needing to figure out night buses. But here’s the thing – Shaftesbury Avenue can get absolutely mental on weekend evenings, especially when all the theaters let out. The hotel does a decent job with soundproofing, though you might catch some street noise if you’re a really light sleeper. The staff seem to genuinely know the area too, which makes a difference when you need restaurant recommendations that aren’t just the obvious tourist traps. I had the concierge point me toward this brilliant little wine bar tucked away near Seven Dials that I never would have found otherwise. The 8.2 rating feels about right – it’s definitely hitting above average in most areas, though at five-star prices you’d expect everything to be spot-on perfect, and there were just a few minor things (like the air conditioning being a bit temperamental) that kept it from being flawless. Still, if you want to be right in the center of everything with genuine comfort and style, this place delivers.

Rooms

• Premier Double Room with 1 double bed for 2 adults
• Premier Single Room with 1 single bed for 1 adult
• Junior Suite with 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults, 1 child
• Four-Poster Suite with 1 double bed for 2 adults
• Premier Twin Room with 2 single beds for 2 adults
• Club Double Room with 1 double bed for 2 adults
• Economy Double Room with 1 double bed for 2 adults
• Deluxe Twin Room with 2 single beds for 2 adults, 1 child

Facilities