You know what surprised me about the W London? It’s actually got this really cool industrial-chic thing going on that somehow works perfectly in the middle of Leicester Square’s tourist chaos. I mean, when you walk in from Wardour Street – which is honestly one of the better side streets to approach from if you’re coming from Oxford Circus – the lobby hits you with this dramatic black and white contrast that feels more New York loft than stuffy London hotel.
The location is pretty brilliant if you think about it. Yeah, you’re literally in the heart of tourist central with all the theaters and street performers, but here’s the thing – Wardour Street itself is actually relatively quiet, especially compared to the madness on Leicester Square proper. You can walk to Chinatown in about two minutes (seriously, some of the best late-night eats are right there), and Covent Garden is maybe a five-minute stroll if you cut through the side streets. The Piccadilly and Northern line stops are super close, though honestly, you’ll probably end up walking most places from here anyway. Parking is… well, it’s central London, so forget about that unless you really have to.
What I really appreciated was how they’ve managed to keep that W brand edge without being try-hard about it. The rooms have these floor-to-ceiling windows that actually open (rare for a modern hotel), and the beds are genuinely comfortable – not just marketing fluff. The bathrooms are surprisingly spacious considering this is London real estate we’re talking about. Service-wise, the staff knows their stuff without being overly formal, which fits the vibe perfectly. I stayed on a weeknight in October and it was pretty chill, though I imagine weekends get pretty lively with the bar scene. The soundproofing is decent – you’ll hear some street noise if you’re facing Wardour, but nothing that kept me awake. Check-in was smooth, no weird holdups or attitude. Honestly, for a five-star spot in this location with an 8.5 rating, it delivers on what you’d expect without any major surprises good or bad. If you want to be in the thick of things but still have a proper place to retreat to, this works really well.