Hotel Metro, an incredible modern boutique hotel in the heart of downtown London, is a truly incredible gem. This 19th-century brick building marries two beautiful aspects of the city of London into one stunning hotel: historic and modern. With exposed brick and the surrounding old-world charm that downtown London holds, Hotel Metro’s beautiful modern decor and design contrasts and compliments perfectly.
Hotel Metro is London’s only boutique hotel. It’s one of the few boutique hotels in Southwestern Ontario that you can find outside of Toronto. Boutique hotels offer incredible experiences that are completely unlike a stay at a chain hotel.
Take a look at everything that makes Hotel Metro one of the best places to stay when needing a getaway or when visiting this beautiful city.
What Is A Boutique Hotel?
First thing is first, what is a boutique hotel? Boutique hotels are independent hotels that have a few defining characteristics: size, individuality, modern, local, pet-friendly, personalized service, location, and common areas.
Size – Boutique hotels have between 10-100 rooms. Hotel Metro has 20 stylish rooms. Keeping the number of rooms in this range allows for guests to feel more like friends than customers. Boutique hotels offer unparalleled customer service. You are not just a number to them, you are a very welcomed guest and they will get to know you as a person. At the same time, because the rooms are not less than 10, you don’t get the bed and breakfast feel and are able to enjoy the privacy and luxury of a hotel experience.
Individuality – Boutique hotels are not just another chain hotel. They can be quirky, charming, or even cheeky, but no matter what they are, they have a strong personality. For Hotel Metro, their quirky and modern decor and luxurious modern touches are completely unlike the chain hotels. Hotel Metro has tree trunk slabs holding their brochures, one of a kind shabby chic mirrors, homey decor, warehouse-style lighting, and each room decorated uniquely.
Modern – Upscale accommodations are part of the boutique hotel experience. Hotel Metro offers luxurious, custom-made beds and bedding, spa-quality toiletries, flat-screen TVs and all the modern amenities that you’d find in high-end hotels.
Emphasis on Local – One of the best parts about boutique hotels is the fact that you’ll never find another hotel like it anywhere else because they embrace the city that they’re in. You often find local touches on everything from the products and services they use and offer to the decor. Hotel Metro embraces London’s art and culinary scene.
Pet Friendly – Oftentimes boutique hotels are pet friendly. They understand that your furry friend is part of your family and offers the chance for you to travel with them. Hotel Metro allows you to bring your cat or dog with you to stay in your room.
Personalized Service – You are not just a customer at a boutique hotel, you are a friend and a guest. Not only do the staff get to know your name, but boutique hotels usually add other personalized touches to your stays such as custom toiletries, temporary business cards, and chocolates in the shape of your initials.
Trendy Locations – You’re not going to find boutique hotels just anywhere. They’re located in optimal, swanky neighbourhoods with plenty to do and see around it. Hotel Metro is located in London’s core where there is endless entertainment, incredible dining options, amazing nightlife, unique shopping, and beautiful parks all around.
Common Areas – If you love being social and meeting new people, then you’ll love the fact that most boutique hotels have really cool common areas, whether it’s a chill-vibe lobby or a swanky bar area. Hotel Metro has a charming lobby with free water, coffee, tea, and fruit where people can gather and hang out. There is also a bar to gather and sip on a cocktail while socializing.
An Incredible Location
Hotel Metro sits in the heart of downtown with plenty to see, do, eat, and enjoy all within walking distance. Covent Garden Market, an incredible indoor (and outdoor) market with local vendors selling everything from handmade wares and locally grown produce to delicious hot meals and baked goods, is located right across from Hotel Metro.
For entertainment, there is so much close by. Budweiser Gardens, which hosts amazing concerts, events, sports games, and performances, is just a 2-minute walk from the hotel. The Grand Theatre is just five minutes away on foot. If you’re more in the mood for music, London Music Hall is just a 6-minute walk away. Downtown core also has a theatre, escape rooms, shopping, pubs, bars, and clubs that can all be reached on foot.
For parks, guests can take a short stroll over to the Thames River where Ivey Park, Harris Park, and Ann Street Park all host wide open grassy areas, shady trees, playgrounds, and spots to feed the ducks are a great place to spend a warm, sunny afternoon. Victoria Park is just a 10-minute walk away and throughout the summer hosts a ton of incredible festivals.
London’s downtown core has some of the city’s best restaurants that are all within walking distance. Gnosh is attached to the hotel and offers nothing less than an incredible experience. Other noteworthy restaurants that guests can walk to are Los Lobos, Hunter and Co, Grace, The Tasting Room, Garlics, and Reverie. For brunch, walk over to Churchkey or River Room, which sits above Museum London, looking out at the Thames River.
Amenities
Hotel Metro offers a unique and one-of-a-kind stay that you won’t find in a chain hotel and at the same time, offers the incredible luxury and amenities that you’ve come to expect at staying in a hotel.
Hotel Metro has 20 individualized guest rooms that are each decorated and styled uniquely. Each room has been designed to keep you in the lap of luxury and to anticipate your needs and desires throughout your stay.
- Access to a 24-hour health club so that you can keep up your healthy routine while you’re away.
- An incredible bar/lounge to socialize and relax.
- Airport shuttle means stress-free transportation for those who are flying.
- If you’re on a specific timeline and need it, express check-in is an available option.
- Busy individuals will love the fact that they offer car service.
- Pamper yourself and let the stresses of travel melt away as you have a little relaxation in one of the deep soaker tubs that some of their rooms offer.
- Always stay connected with free Wifi.
- Stay in and enjoy their in-room flat-screen TVs.
- Rooms come with iPod docking stations for maximum convenience.
- You don’t need to leave your room without having a caffeine jolt as each room comes with a coffee maker.
- Step into the lavish bathrooms and enjoy your room’s rainfall shower.
- Throw on luxurious and insanely soft bathrobes for the evening.
- Perhaps the best part of your room at Hotel Metro is the custom-made designer bed that will give you a night of sleep like no other.
- Their open-concept rooms are perfect for romantic getaways. Not all of their rooms are open concept, but the ones that are are perfect for couples.
- Don’t worry about needing to close the blinds, the windows are tinted for privacy, allowing you to have beautiful city views without worrying about others sneaking a peek at you in your room.
- Of course, nothing feels quite as luxurious as high ceilings, which you’ll enjoy in your stay.
- If you feel like staying in for the night, order up incredibly delicious dishes from Gnosh with their room service
- Blackout drapes will ensure that your slumber won’t be interrupted by anything going on outside the hotel.
About the Hotel
We’ve already established the fact that this boutique hotel can offer a very personal and warm experience as a guest and not just a customer when you stay here, but let’s dig in a little more to this hotel. Hotel Metro was created in 2009 and has been a shining part of the city’s downtown core ever since. With its incredible location so close to entertainment, it’s a great choice for visitors to the city, as well as locals who want to enjoy an evening downtown for a special celebration like a birthday or anniversary.
Hotel Metro offers 24-hour front desk service for your complete convenience. Check-in is anywhere from 3 pm to midnight and check-out is at 11 am so you can get some much-needed Zzzz’s. There is also a late check-out option available if you need it. If you can’t possibly leave your fur-baby at home, don’t fret because you’re allowed to have your cat or dog stay with you.
Hotel Metro has incredible concierge services, so don’t be afraid to ask about where the best brunch spots are or ask for help arranging entertainment for the evening. They also offer tour and ticket assistance so if you’re looking to make the most of your getaway don’t be afraid to connect with the hotel before your stay to arrange the fun beforehand.
To make a truly memorable stay there are a number of things that Hotel Metro can offer, such as in-room massage and spa services on-site. They also have wedding services that they offer
In terms of conveniences, they offer luggage storage and have laundry facilities. There is also free use of a nearby fitness centre. They also have dry cleaning services available. They have a meeting room and conference space available. Unlike chain hotels, they always offer free bottled water to their guests.
Don’t forget to look outside of your room for even more of those included extras like the free coffee and tea in the common area, the basket of fresh fruit in the lobby that guests are encouraged to enjoy, or the free newspapers in the lobby to keep you up-to-date. There is also the incredible benefit of having a beyond-stellar restaurant, Gnosh, attached to the hotel.
Gnosh
The personalized and friendly service does not stop at Hotel Metro. Continuing the feel of being a personal guest that the boutique hotel offers, service at Gnosh is impeccable. They pride themselves on seeing you as a person, rather than just another customer. Everyone at Gnosh from the owner and the chef to the bartender and server is committed to making your experience at Gnosh memorable and perfect.
Their menu is always evolving and changing as Chef Cynthis Beaudion and her team continue to innovate and use the freshest, locally sourced ingredients of the season to make delicious culinary creations to tantalize your taste buds with every bite.
Gnosh serves traditional cuisine, but with modern twists. You can expect bold and satisfying flavours and beautiful plating with every dish ordered. Although their menu is always changing, making going back and going often so much more fun, here are some ideas of the kinds of dishes you’ll find tempting you on their menu:
For sharing plates and appetizers imagine seared scallops in savoury sauces, a twist on mac and cheese by using gnocchi instead of pasta, charcuterie boards that are begging to be paired with wine, and braised beef poutine. For main dishes picture everything from stuffed chicken and hazelnut crusted rack of lamb to succulent steak and pumpkin with goat cheese risotto.
For wine, expect an extensive list broken out by body and tasting notes as well as knowledgeable servers that can help point you to a great pairing for your meal. For cocktails, Gnosh offers unique spins on cocktail classics such as a Basil Daiquiri and a New York Sour which is a Whisky Sour topped with red wine.
For guests at Hotel Metro, Gnosh offers their full menu for room service, giving you the ultimate experience of eating their mouthwatering food while in the comfort of plush bathrobes. Who wouldn’t want that?
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re coming to London for an event at Budweiser Gardens, are here for business and want the convenience of a downtown location, or are a Londoner looking for a way to celebrate something special, Hotel Metro, London’s only boutique hotel, is an incredible option.