Leicester Square Studios

First Impressions

Walking into Leicester Square Studios, you immediately get the sense this isn’t your typical four-star hotel. It’s actually more like stepping into a collection of well-designed studio apartments that happen to be in one of London’s busiest tourist zones. The building sits on Irving Street, which — if you know the area — is basically right behind Leicester Square but tucked away enough that you’re not dealing with street performers outside your window at midnight.

Location & Getting Around

Honestly, the location is pretty hard to beat if you’re planning to see shows or explore central London. You’re literally a two-minute walk from Leicester Square tube station, and Covent Garden is just around the corner. What I really appreciated though is that Irving Street itself is relatively quiet — you get all the benefits of being in the heart of things without the constant chaos. The National Gallery and Trafalgar Square are an easy stroll away, and you know what, even walking to Oxford Street takes maybe ten minutes.

The Studio Setup

Here’s where things get interesting — each room is set up more like a studio apartment than a standard hotel room. You get a proper kitchenette with a fridge, microwave, and basic cooking supplies, which actually saved me quite a bit of money on breakfast and snacks. The spaces feel modern and clean, though they’re not huge — this is London, after all. The bed was comfortable enough, and there’s a decent workspace if you need to get some work done.

Practical Stuff

The Wi-Fi worked well throughout my stay, which isn’t always a given in older London buildings. Housekeeping comes by regularly, and the front desk staff were helpful with restaurant recommendations and theater bookings. One thing to note — there’s no restaurant on-site, but with that kitchenette and dozens of places to eat within a few blocks, it didn’t really matter. The building doesn’t have parking, but honestly, you don’t want to drive in this part of London anyway.

Why Guests Love It

I think what works best about Leicester Square Studios is that it gives you the independence of an apartment with the services of a hotel. You can grab groceries from the Tesco around the corner and make your own coffee in the morning, or you can head out to Borough Market or Chinatown for proper meals. The location means you’re walking to most major attractions, and when your feet get tired, you’ve got multiple tube lines right there. It’s particularly good if you’re staying for more than just a couple nights and want to feel a bit more settled than you would in a traditional hotel room.

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