LFF, arrives for American Express Gala Screening of 'The King's Speech' during the 54th BFI London Film Festival at Odeon Leicester Square on October 21, 2010 in London, England — Photograph: Jon Furniss

The best hotels near Leicester Square

Set yourself up by London's beating heart of entertainment, shops and activities at one of these hotels near Leicester Square

Written by

Time Out editors

Thursday 23 February 2017

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Leicester Square itself may have limited charm – unless you’re here to spot celebs at one of its red carpet film premieres – but its super-central location means that it’s within easy striking distance of Chinatown, Soho, Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square. So whether you’ve come for an afternoon of wandering around the National Portrait Gallery, a plate full of fiery Sichuan food at Barshu or a matinee on St Martin’s Lane, take your pick from our list of the best hotels near Leicester Square and get stuck in. Conveniently, South Kensington, King's Cross St Pancras and even Heathrow are direct from Leicester Square tube station on the Piccadilly line.

Looking for more options? Check out London’s best Airbnbs

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The best hotels near Leicester Square

W London

Cinemas
Leicester Square

The London outpost of the W chain follows the footsteps of its siblings overseas: a selective atmosphere coupled with talking-point decor that looks like a mix between a nightclub, a spaceship and a shopping centre. With surrounds like these and a lot of the blurb promising exclusive this and VIP that, it can all feel a bit Zoolander, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing – there’s fun to be had here too. The hotel's 192 rooms are spread over seven floors, and there’s a spa, gym, bar and restaurant.

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Hub Covent Garden

Hotels
Covent Garden

Rooms may be mini but for this price (from £69), it’s hard to grumble. The latest branch of Premier Inn’s offshoot, this Hub continues much in the same vein as the other four branches in town. Rooms are mini but sensibly designed, with beds high enough to fit your suitcase underneath and a little desk and en-suite shower and everything, from booking it to dimming the lights once you’re in, to working out what to do in the area, controlled via an app on your phone or tablet.

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Niall Clutton

St Martins Lane

Hotels
Covent Garden
price 4 of 4

The exterior may be an uninspiring 1960s office block; inside, however, is a different story. Philippe Starck’s flamboyant, theatrical interior has undergone a recent renovation, which introduced interactive light displays in place of the previous slightly chilly minimalism, but the stunning floor-to-ceiling windows remain. Some rooms have great views of London, while special garden rooms have private terraces full of flowers. Asia de Cuba restaurant and its ‘speakeasy’ bar Blind Spot continue to be popular.

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Booking.com

The Nadler

The simple but stylish 78-room Nadler, set across two townhouses, is another quality budget option in the heart of Soho – hard by Soho Square in fact. Stylish rooms come with original artwork, Nespresso machines, mini kitchens, Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, AC and free wifi, plus there are all sorts of added perks – including discounted entry to a nearby fitness centre and exclusive offers at local restaurants, bars and clubs. Breakfast (or other meals) can be delivered to your room with no mark-up, but with the whole of Soho right on your doorstep, you’re better off popping out.

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Simon Brown

Covent Garden Hotel

Hotels
Boutique hotels
Seven Dials
price 4 of 4

Sitting comfortably on the most attractive street in Covent Garden, this 58-room hotel shows designer Kit Kemp’s panache for combining comfort with decor that gets guests talking – think pinstripe wallpaper with floral upholstery, oak on the walls and granite in the bathrooms. As well as the interiors and the super-convenient location, there’s a cinema, a private library and drawing room, and tables out front that are great for a coffee and a spot of people-watching.

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Z Hotel

Hotels
Boutique hotels
Soho

This branch of the Z hotel just off London’s gay thoroughfare Old Compton Street and just a couple of hundred metres from Leicester Square tube station is a great option if you’re on a budget. Note: the rooms are small, and if you’re tall the beds are a squeeze, and there are no phones or proper wardrobes, but… at prices like these you can’t complain. En suite rooms can be had from £69. Icing on the cake? There’s free wine and cheese in the evenings.

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Simon Brown

Ham Yard

Hotels
Soho

This popular member of the Firmdale stable shares Kit Kemp’s trademark bold use of colour and styling in an expansive space that is more topnotch mini-mall than hotel, containing as it does not just the 91-room hotel, but also a separate block of hotel apartments and a cluster of well-curated independent shops. The central courtyard is well-populated with diners and drinkers on warm days, and touches like an onsite library, the cinema/theatre, and a bowling alley make the whole thing feel like fun. More traditional facilities include a spa and gym, and staff and service are unstuffy and friendly.

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Haymarket Hotel

Hotels
Leicester Square
price 4 of 4

The first thing that strikes you about The Haymarket is its size: a block-sized building designed by John Nash, architect of London’s Regency era, that has been turned into yet another slick, central hotel run by the Firmdale group. The public spaces are a delight – the street-side bar and restaurant are top-notch – and showcase contemporary arty surprises and plump, floral sofas. Special mention goes to the fabulous basement swimming pool and bar (shiny sofas, sparkling roof) – and, of course, the location.

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Premier Inn Leicester Square

Hotels
Leicester Square

You might pay a little more here than at the chain’s other hotels (rooms start at £86.50 but can go up to around £200 per night, depending on availability), but that’s to account for the location, right on the edge of Leicester Square, which might be one of the most highly prized spots in town. The Premier Inn formula is adhered to with clean, no-frills, small but comfortable en suite rooms with free wifi and tea and coffee. A bountiful buffet breakfast costs £10.50. Bonus? Kids aged 15 and under eat and stay free with paying adults.

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Every Hotel Piccadilly

Hotels
Leicester Square

Eighty-two rooms are spread over seven floors in this bright, good-value bolthole between Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus. Rooms are smart and well-proportioned for the price, and come with tea-making facilities and Nespresso machines, free fast wifi, free soft drinks in the minibar, TVs and decent rain showers. Downstairs, there is a small gym and restaurant that serves (free) breakfast as well as simple fare – pasta, pizza, burgers – that can also be taken away and eaten in your room.

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