Table of Contents
Book The Montcalm Brewery Townhouse here!
A couple of weeks ago we spent a night in London and went to see a show – we try to do this once or twice a year, it’s our treat and a bit of a break from home and parenting, whilst grandma is getting some quality time with the grandchildren. We are very grateful for this, so no sarcasm there. She never moans, because number one: she loves the kids. Number two: also happens to be a hardcore feminist with a PhD in feminist literature, so she’s the first one booting me out to have some well deserved me time away from the chores. Well in this case, couple time. So we booked a standup night to watch Harry Enfield in the Barbican, a hotel room at the Montcalm Brewery Townhouse which is also a stone throw away from the Barbican and a random little restaurant nearby. (There isn’t too many good and decently priced restaurants nearby, more people come to work here than live here, except of course the lucky ducks living on the Barbican Estate.) Upon arrival, we spotted the the Chiswell Dining Rooms right next to our hotel so changed the booking for this restaurant. It was an excellent decision. But more about that later.
First, let’s learn about the hotel. Fun fact: I’m almost certain – pretty sure – about 15 years ago I went for an interview to work in this hotel (can’t even remember what position, probably sales and marketing related or events). Didn’t get the job, but it’s still a lovely place as a guest!
About the Montcalm Brewery Townhouse
Montcalm is a small chain with a couple of nice, 4-5* properties in fancy parts of London like Mayfair. The Brewery Townhouse is a historic brewery converted into a hotel, it has nice old parts of the building (especially in the lobby and reception area) left renovated and exposed like ironwork and bricks. City location, walking distance to the Barbican, 235 rooms, looks like they are 4* on third party booking websites.
On one end of the building the hotel has the The Jugged Hare Gastropub and on the opposite end, there is the Chiswell Street Dining Rooms. Both belong to the hotel. We tried the latter.
Where is the Montcalm Brewery Townhouse?
The address is: 52 Chiswell St, London, EC1Y 4SA. Moorgate and Barbican are the closest tube stations, Liverpool Street is also nearby.
How much is a room at the Montcalm Brewery Townhouse?
Prices wildly vary, some less busy Sundays you can get a room for £136 and on busy weekdays (it’s a city hotel after all) it will cost £462 – depending on what rooms are available. Rooms are ranging from deluxe single to suites (duplexes and residences for long stay). We stayed in a superior double and paid £225 on a Friday night in March and the breakfast was included in the rate.
What I thought about Montcalm Brewery Townhouse
The room
We booked a superior double room, which was a queen size, had a good quality mattress, so we had a good night sleep. The bathroom was also a good size – the shower was not working very well, but I’m rubbish at operating hotel showers. You know, it’s never clear what switch operates the head shower and the handheld shower and although it was clearly marked, I couldn’t get it warm enough.
What I loved though, were the little, complimentary touches: a small bottle of prosecco, a bag of crisps and large bottle of mineral water.
It’s definitely a great place for a few night sin the city. No minibar though, I really dislike this trend.
Book The Montcalm Brewery Townhouse here!
The staff
Oh my world, let me just praise the staff of the hotel (and the dining rooms). They were an absolute credit to the place. Everyone is very friendly, super professional and just a right amount of chit-chat, offering help and generally just being there (we bumped into hotel staff all the time making our way from one wing to the other – it is a bit of a labyrinth, they are seemingly everywhere, patrolling or something).
The breakfast
The breakfast service could not be faulted either. Absolutely fantastic. Not only some of the a la carte included in the room rate, but a huge selection of buffet breakfast items available. Regularly refilled, adequate number of breakfast staff, hot food arrived quickly and it’s nicely presented as well as was delicious. You could really fill your tummy with good and healthy food before heading out for a day of sightseeing if you choose this hotel for your travels in London.
I’ve ordered an oat milk porridge with pasisonfruit – was yummy, the photo really doesn’t do justice….
Book The Montcalm Brewery Townhouse here!
The Chiswell Street Dining Rooms
Like I sad, we tried this restaurant and we absolutely loved it. WHAT A FIND!!!!! Would stay in the hotel FOR the restaurant even.
So firstly, our waiter, Jose from Portugal. He’s an absolute gem. He should be working in Michelin starred places – he’s a credit to the restaurant and a master of his trade. Honest, entertaining, friendly but all in a very delicate and elegant way that is not too much and not too little.
Secondly, obviously this is even more important: the food was also absolutely delicious and all in all including a £20 bottle rose, it was dirt cheap, to be honest. (We’ve learnt from Jose, after we queried it, that the wine was cheap, because the winery is just trying to break into the UK market and chose this tactic. It was a great wine.)
So, the food. I had a courgette and pea risotto – will need the recipe for that, it was sooooooooo delicious. Husband had some boring (to me) steak frites with side greek salad – looked mid to me, but he really enjoyed it. My risotto though. Oh that was just chefs kiss.
It’s a smallish restaurant so seats are close to each other but it was not busy. Lovely ambient, very dining room – esque. You know, dining rooms are an old, traditional restaurants in the UK and the Chiswell Street Dining Rooms is just like that. Nothing overly fancy, but still elegant and stylish dining.
Will be definitely back.
The hotel and the neighbourhood
It’s very handy (it was for us as we booked the hotel for this ) that the Montcalm Brewery Townhouse is very close to the Barbican and it has great public transport links.
The hotel itsef is a converted old brewery and has a couple of interesting, old parts, like the corridor between the East and West wing over the yard.
There’s also a 007 room (it’s the only room door looking like this, illuminated) and some other lovely old bits and pieces like the under the staircase concierge office.
Read my other hotel reviews
Review: The Rembrandt Hotel Knightsbridge