Travellers searching for Hotel Indigo London often encounter conflicting signals about its star rating and luxury status. The brand’s two London properties — at Leicester Square and in Kensington — are both boutique hotels operated by IHG, but they serve different parts of the city’s accommodation market. This article examines the facts behind the confusion and helps you choose the right location for your trip, drawing on official IHG information and third-party booking data. The Leicester Square property sits at 1 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7NA.

Last checked: 2026-10-04

Brand: Hotel Indigo by IHG · Primary London property in organic results: Hotel Indigo London – 1 Leicester Square by IHG · Average price signal: About $387 per room at the Leicester Square property (Agoda) · Design character: Art-deco, glass-and-marble with 1920s theatrical glamour (TripAdvisor)

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-10-04.

Sources reviewed: official IHG property pages and amenities listings, KAYAK review and pricing data, Leicester Square London destination website.

We did not conduct an on-site visit, interview hotel staff, verify live rates beyond the listed third‑party snapshot, or independently assign a star rating.

Hotel Indigo London at a glance

1 Brand
  • Hotel Indigo by IHG – a boutique upscale chain positioned below luxury flags like InterContinental (Leicester Square London)
2 Primary London property
3 Price signal
  • Approximately US$210 to more than US$500 per night depending on room and rate (KAYAK)
4 Design character
  • 1920s‑inspired art‑deco style with glass‑and‑marble finishes and theatrical glamour (Leicester Square London)
Detail Value
BrandHotel Indigo by IHG
Primary London property in organic resultsHotel Indigo London – 1 Leicester Square by IHG
Average price signalApproximately US$210–US$500+ per night (KAYAK)
Design characterArt‑deco, glass‑and‑marble, 1920s theatrical glamour (Leicester Square London)

Is Hotel Indigo a high end hotel?

Hotel Indigo is positioned by IHG as a boutique upscale brand, not a luxury or ultra‑luxury flag. The Leicester Square property leans into theatrical design with a rooftop bar and restaurant (Leicester Square London), while the Kensington hotel is described as business‑friendly (IHG Kensington page). Neither property carries a published “high end” label from the operator.

“Guests love our central location, forming part of London’s infamous Leicester Square.”

— IHG, official Leicester Square property page

Hotel Indigo London – 1 Leicester Square by IHG

The Leicester Square property, with 112 uniquely designed rooms, sits in the West End entertainment district. Its official local‑area guide emphasises walkable access to theatres, Soho, Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus (IHG local‑area guide). The design is 1920s art‑deco, and guest reviews on KAYAK praise the central location and comfortable beds while noting complaints about cleanliness and slow elevators.

Hotel Indigo London – Kensington by IHG

The Kensington hotel is located at 34–44 Barkston Gardens, London SW5 0EW, close to Earl’s Court tube station (IHG Kensington page). IHG’s positioning highlights its “residential‑feeling” neighbourhood and transport links to Heathrow and London City airports, making it a practical base for business travellers or those seeking a quieter stay away from the West End bustle.

Why this matters: Hotel Indigo London is considered upscale boutique, not luxury. The price range and design signals align with a 4‑star tier rather than 5‑star or above.

Is Hotel Indigo 4 or 5 star?

No official star rating appears in IHG’s property pages for either London hotel. Third‑party platforms assign their own ratings: KAYAK lists Leicester Square as a four‑star property with a 7.7 rating based on 2,358 reviews. The brand’s category within IHG’s portfolio sits between Holiday Inn and InterContinental, which corresponds to a roughly 4‑star experience.

Hotel indigo london reviews

Guest reviews on KAYAK for the Leicester Square property highlight a centrally located hotel with comfortable beds but inconsistent housekeeping and service. The Kensington hotel’s review data was not retrieved in this research, but its business‑friendly positioning suggests a similar service level.

Hotel Indigo London Leicester Square

The Leicester Square property’s room categories include windowless standard rooms and balcony suites (IHG amenities page). The availability of windowless rooms is a practical concern for light‑sensitive guests. The presence of suites with balconies indicates a range that typically aligns with 4‑star hotels rather than budget options.

The catch: The hotel has no official star rating from IHG. Rely on third‑party platform ratings (e.g. KAYAK’s 4‑star classification) and guest review patterns rather than a single star badge.

Is Hotel Indigo a good place to stay?

For the right traveller, yes. The Leicester Square property’s location is its strongest asset. KAYAK reviews call out “great central location” and “comfortable beds” as consistent positives. The rooftop bar and restaurant with panoramic views of Leicester Square (Leicester Square London) add to the appeal. On the downside, the same reviews note cleanliness issues, slow elevators and mixed breakfast quality.

“Mirroring the 1920s glamour of its theatrical surroundings, Hotel Indigo London – 1 Leicester Square draws you in to an art deco, glass‑and‑marble haven.”

— Leicester Square London, destination website

Hotel indigo london restaurant

The Leicester Square property’s rooftop restaurant and bar is described by the local tourism listing as offering scenic views. IHG’s amenities page confirms a “rooftop restaurant and bar” among the facilities. The Kensington property’s dining options were not detailed in the retrieved evidence.

Hotel indigo london menu

No specific menu was retrieved for either property. The Leicester Square rooftop venue likely serves cocktails and light bites typical of West End hotel bars, but the exact menu should be verified directly with the hotel.

Hotel indigo london reviews

Across 2,358 reviews on KAYAK, the Leicester Square property earns a 7.7 rating. The common praise themes are location and bed comfort; common complaints are cleanliness, elevator speed and service consistency. Travel‐booking site KAYAK’s snapshot offers the most comprehensive third‑party insight available.

The bottom line: Hotel Indigo London – 1 Leicester Square delivers a strong location and distinctive design, but book with realistic expectations about service and room conditions based on recent reviews.

What is London’s most prestigious hotel?

This question often arises alongside searches for Hotel Indigo London, but it belongs to a different category. Prestige hotels like The Ritz, Claridge’s or The Savoy operate at a five‑star luxury tier that Hotel Indigo does not claim. The confusion may stem from broad “high end” queries – IHG’s boutique brand is upscale but not in the same bracket as London’s landmark luxury properties.

What hotel did Kate Middleton stay in the night before her wedding?

That question is frequently searched alongside Hotel Indigo queries, but the answer is outside the scope of this article. The Goring Hotel is widely reported as the venue of Kate Middleton’s pre‑wedding stay, but our focus remains on clarifying Hotel Indigo’s market position. The proximity of these queries in search data simply reflects a broader interest in London hotel prestige, not a direct connection.

What to watch: Be aware that “London’s most prestigious hotel” searches often pull in unrelated content about 7‑star hotels in Dubai. For Hotel Indigo, the relevant comparison is with other upscale boutique hotels, not global luxury landmarks.

Hotel Indigo London – 1 Leicester Square: pros and cons

Pros

  • Exceptional central location in Leicester Square, steps from theatres and West End attractions
  • Distinctive 1920s art‑deco design and rooftop bar with panoramic views
  • 112 uniquely designed rooms with balcony suites available
  • 24‑hour concierge, in‑room dining, rainfall showers

Cons

  • Reviews mention cleanliness issues and inconsistent service
  • Windowless standard rooms are part of the room inventory – check before booking
  • Slow elevators and mixed breakfast quality reported by guests
  • Price varies widely (US$210–US$500+ per night) – book carefully

Best for segments

Based on the location and amenity data from IHG and third‑party reviews, the two Hotel Indigo London properties suit different traveller types:

  • Theatre‑goers and night‑out visitors: Hotel Indigo London – 1 Leicester Square – walkable to dozens of West End venues, with a rooftop bar for pre‑ or post‑show drinks.
  • Business travellers needing a central base: Hotel Indigo London – Kensington – positioned near Earl’s Court with explicit airport‑access messaging from IHG, and a quieter residential feel.
  • Design‑led city‑breakers who value boutique character: Either property works, but the Leicester Square hotel’s art‑deco theatricality is more visually striking, while Kensington offers a more understated interior consistent with the brand.

Pricing band

Based on the retrieved KAYAK snapshot, Hotel Indigo London – 1 Leicester Square falls into a moderate to premium pricing band for central London. The ~US$210 nightly low end corresponds to off‑peak or smaller rooms; the US$500‑plus ceiling reflects premium suites or peak periods (e.g. June). January is historically the cheapest month, June the most expensive. Always compare live rates for your exact dates rather than relying on averages.

Hotel Indigo London: Leicester Square vs Kensington

The two properties share the Hotel Indigo brand but occupy distinct neighbourhoods. Below is a comparison drawn from official IHG information and available third‑party data.

Option Neighbourhood Design character Price signal Best for
Hotel Indigo London – 1 Leicester Square by IHG West End – Leicester Square, theatrical district 1920s art‑deco, glass‑and‑marble, rooftop bar Approx. US$210–US$500+ per night (KAYAK) Theatre‑goers, nightlife, central attractions
Hotel Indigo London – Kensington by IHG Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea – near Earl’s Court Business‑friendly boutique, residential setting Not retrieved from comparable third‑party source Business travellers, quieter base, airport access

Our pick

For most first‑time visitors to central London and theatre‑goers, Hotel Indigo London – 1 Leicester Square is our recommendation. Its location is unmatched for exploring the West End, and the art‑deco design gives the stay a memorable sense of place. For business travellers or those prioritising airport connectivity and a quiet neighbourhood, the Kensington property is the better choice – though verified guest reviews and a comparable room inventory were not available in this research, so book with careful attention to current ratings.

Additional sources

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Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost per night at Hotel Indigo London – 1 Leicester Square?

According to KAYAK’s retrieved pricing snapshot, nightly rates range from US$210 to more than US$500, depending on room type and booking period. January is the cheapest month; June is the most expensive. Rates are dynamic – always check live availability.

Is breakfast included at Hotel Indigo London – Kensington?

Breakfast is listed as an available amenity at both properties, but it is not automatically included in standard rates. KAYAK reviews for the Leicester Square property mention mixed feedback on breakfast quality. Confirm inclusion when booking.

Does Hotel Indigo London – Kensington offer free WiFi?

High‑speed Wi‑Fi is listed as an amenity at both properties on IHG’s official pages. IHG Rewards members receive complimentary access, depending on the rate booked.

Which London locations appear for Hotel Indigo in the search data?

Two properties surface consistently: Hotel Indigo London – 1 Leicester Square by IHG and Hotel Indigo London – Kensington by IHG. The Leicester Square property dominates organic results and third‑party review platforms.

Is Hotel Indigo part of IHG?

Yes. Hotel Indigo is a boutique brand within IHG Hotels & Resorts (InterContinental Hotels Group), positioned between Holiday Inn and InterContinental in the corporate portfolio.

Does the Leicester Square property post hotel offers and packages?

IHG’s official Leicester Square page displays a “hotel offers and packages” section. Check the dedicated offers page or contact the hotel directly for current packages.

What design style is the Leicester Square property?

The hotel is described as a 1920s‑inspired art‑deco property with glass‑and‑marble finishes and theatrical glamour (Leicester Square London).

Which Hotel Indigo London property is described as business‑friendly?

Hotel Indigo London – Kensington is officially positioned as a business‑friendly property, emphasising Earl’s Court tube access and connections to Heathrow and London City airports.

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