Montcalm Royal London House Review: A London Hotel With Creativity At The Fore

We’ve lost the art of letter writing, the power of putting pen to paper to express our gratitude and congratulations, our love and condolences. But at Montcalm Royal London House, part of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection, this dying art is very much alive. Guests are greeted with hand-designed postcards upon check-in, and a replica green post box – currently on loan from the nearby Postal Museum – plus a traditional red post box, are both on hand to deliver your message to your chosen loved on. My boyfriend’s, which I wrote for him during my stay, surprised him just yesterday.

This quaint quirk is just one of the many ways that Montcalm Royal London House is commemorating its past life as the Royal Mail headquarters. There are books on postal history, volumes of sleep poetry, and bespoke stationery provided in the rooms. Then there is its partnership with Rise Art which will see a rotating gallery of contemporary art on display. The current exhibition by printmaker Emma Lawrenson, an earthy collection of collages and prints titled ‘Threads of Land’, will be running until Thursday 31 December.

Meanwhile, in the hotel’s communal spaces, creative studio Culture A has curated 900 works from just 30 artists, celebrating calligraphy, prints, collages and handwritten script. Among them are works by Camile Rousseau, built from handwritten contributions supplied by the hotel team, further emphasising the personalities of the ever warm and attentive staff.

Moving beyond the interiors, Montcalm Royal London House continues its ode to the written word via its partnership with the London Writers’ Salon, through which the hotel will host a series of calligraphy workshops, writing salons and literary events on site.

Though its heritage remains at the fore, the property itself has undergone a significant evolution from its days as a mid-century modern office block. Zhuzhed up by its most recent renovation, relaunched to the world on 1 October, the interiors are stylish and contemporary in feel, intermingling calming neutral hues, with bolder accents. Writing this review from a three-star hotel (to Montcalm Royal London House’s five) the small, the latter’s easily overlooked attributes come to fore: controls for everything easily reachable from bed, high-pressured showers, fluffy robes, tasteful interiors, a mattress so excessively and wonderfully wide that I could probably sleep perpendicular.

Of course, the real showstopper of any stay at Montcalm Royal London House is the view. Teetering over on Finsbury Square, with the capital’s hip east and serious City perched at either end, the hotel enjoys panoramic views across the surrounding skyscrapers. As I spied into office blocks and terrarium-glass flats, I found myself wondering if I too could afford London-living high in the sky.

Though the view from my room was impressive, it had nothing on the front row seat to the city enjoyed from The Aviary – the hotel’s rooftop restaurant and bar. Here you can watch the bustle of people below over an evening cocktail, or gaze at The Shard as you munch on your morning eggs. Making the most of the rooftop at the hotel’s relaunch party, we didn’t get to sample any of the food beyond canapes and next-day’s breakfast, but if these (and the tower of prawns provided) were anything to go by, diners will surely be in for treat.

Post-breakfast the next day it’s off to YĀTRĀ Spa for my bespoke facial. Derived from the Sanskrit word for ‘journey’, the collection’s spas fuse Ayurvedic philosophies throughout their treatments. My champagne-soaked skin is rubbed and rolled, massaged and slathered, cleansed and calmed, meditative music and low light maintaining my trance-like state all the while.

Emerging glowing and refreshed, it’s time for a plunge. Though the pool is only nine metres long, resistant jets are on hand for anyone looking for more than a quick paddle. And if stillness is more your speed, there’s the jacuzzi, steam room and sauna on-hand as well. The latter, being infrared, is somewhat lukewarm on the sauna scale. Though maybe not built for the snot-burning sauna enthusiasts in your life, it was ideal for my sauna agnostic self.

Relaxed, refreshed, and surrounded by inspiration, I find myself feeling that spark of creativity so often dulled by day-to-day life. I pull out a pen and paper and get to work. I post my letter, and eagerly await its arrival.

C&TH Key Notes

• The room to request: The Iconic Executive or, for a splurge, one of the suites.
• The unexpected extra: Just how friendly the staff were.
• Best for: A luxurious London break right in the heart of the City.
• Don’t miss: The Aviary rooftop bar for views across the capital.

The Key Facts

• Address: 22-25 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1DX
• Phone: 020 387 34000
• Website: montcalmcollection.com
• Rooms: There are 253 guest rooms, spanning Superior King, Deluxe Twin, Deluxe King, Iconic Executive, Executive Suite, Junior Suite and Montcalm Suite
• Room Rates: From £375 per night
• Accessible rooms: Montcalm Royal London House features 16 dedicated accessible guest rooms, available primarily within the Deluxe Double or Twin Room category
• Check-in / check-out: 3pm and 11am
• Sustainability credentials: Montcalm Royal London House holds an EarthCheck Silver certification, a globally recognised standard for sustainable travel and tourism. Find out more at montcalmcollection.com
• Nearest Station: Moorgate or Liverpool Street.
• Parking: There is no on-site parking.

The Last Word

Montcalm Royal London House is, in essence, a very nice London hotel. There’s the exceptionally friendly staff. The exceptionally nice facilities. And the exceptionally fabulous views across the city. Visit to stoke those dying creative embers.