Emtalks: The W Hotel Leicester Square London Review; Staying At The W Hotel

Recently I've been staying over in London for leisure as well as work. I usually head down to London every couple of days or week (depending on what my diary looks like) and then trail back home. It's really nice to spend weekends in London though, it means I get to actually put my phone down, do no meetings and just enjoy the city. London is full of incredible hotels, eateries and things to do, I'm always so busy rushing around that I often forget to stop and just enjoy the city which is why now, I try to focus on having more weekends away and celebrating London. If you read Emtalks a lot, you'll know I'm a sucker for nice hotels, I could happily live in a hotel. As a plush hotel lover, I have no idea why it's taken me so long to stay in a W hotel. I think the W are most famous for their incredible Barcelona hotel (the one which is basically in the sea) and I'm making it my mission to stay there this year (Barcelona is my favourite European city so it would be rude not to). I'm a fan of plush, modern hotels with good service, so let's see how I felt about my first stay at the W.

I just want to talk about location first, the W Leicester square is right in the heart of London. It's pretty much in China town and on Wardour street which is bustling with amazing shops and restaurants. Plus, it's above the M&M museum and just seconds away from Leicester Square itself. It takes about 5 minutes to get to Piccadilly Circus and from there, you've got Regent Street, Oxford Street and more. You really couldn't ask for a better location to be honest and I'd happily stay here over and over again purely for the location alone.

The W Leicester Square is seriously cool, with it's huge glowing W symbol outside which changes colour and beautiful black carpets which change depending on the time of day; in the morning you'll be greeted with 'good morning' and in the evening with 'good evening', they even say 'good afternoon' when it's midday. Little touches like this set the hotel apart from others and I realised this as soon as we got through the front door. The staff on the door were incredible too, taking our bags into the lift and taking us up to the first floor to help us check in, making polite conversation but seemingly genuinely interested in our fashion week plans. Reception is set away from the hustle and the bustle of outside as it's on the first floor, I like this. It makes it a lot more exclusive and means not just anyone can walk into the hotel.

The main reception is super glam, with disco balls and a photobooth (of course I used it)

and don't get me started on how beautiful yet relaxed the bar area was.

Inside the W, there seem to be loads of really nice, chilled but luxurious spots to just kick back, grab a coffee or a glass of champagne and chat. I love this. The W was busy but not in an annoying, over-crowded way, it had the best atmosphere. It's definitely the 'place to be' in London.

We arrived quite late and explained to the lovely man on the check in desk that we had to rush off to a dinner reservation, he took our bags and told us not to panic and even asked us if we needed a car ordering. Our bags were taken up to our room for us and lights dimmed ready for us to relax. Perfect.

The room was set out with beautiful, cute treats for us. Yup, that is a real gold pretzel on top of a gooey macaroon style muffin.

The room itself wasn't as big as some I've stayed in (I do love a big room) but it felt huge because of the mirrors everywhere. It didn't exactly feel small. I've never stayed in such a modern, quirky hotel. I'm a massive fan of plush luxury but this was luxurious and plush in a different way, think cutting-edge, risk taking, modern, cool yet so comfortable. I think plush glamour is the best way to describe it.

I loved the decor, white and silver with the largest, brightest window.

The bed was incredibly comfortable and had lovely British touches to it. To the side of the bed were mood lighting switches and even USBs ports or my phone. Easily the best, techy hotel I've stayed in which really caters to the modern-gals needs (high-speed wifi, pretty mood lights, constant charge for my phone - what more could one want?)

What's a hotel room without your own mixology bar? The W really do set the bar high when it comes to coolness.

Any girls dream, a beautiful wardrobe area which practically turns the room into a dressing room. I adore the beige leather which pulls over the door, creating a really luxurious feel.

The room is incredibly designed so it feels spacious, luxurious and modern, the bathroom? Tucked behind the mirrors.

I hung up my Burberry scarf in pride of place and my Ralph Lauren trench soon followed.

Even the toiletries in the W are cool, from ear plugs to make up wipes - everything you need.

After a quick spruce up (and realising I'd forgotten my make up wipes - but I rang reception and they brought me my own straight away - told you this hotel really will cater to all your needs) it was time to rush out to my favourite cocktail bar.

I've been raving about the Polo Bar for a long time. It's quickly become my favourite, romantic London hangout. It's a luxurious, quiet little bar just off Bond Street inside the Westbury Hotel. Think real gold cocktails and the best service you've ever had. I've wanted to take Matt for a long time and finally, we got booked in for the Friday evening.

Due to train problems, we were a little late so the kitchen was closing, we only got to sample the delicious prawn's but they got better with every single bite. I could happily sit here and eat the bar nibbles all night long as they're the freshest, yummiest things I've ever tried.

We started with their speciality gin based cocktails, notice the real gold floating on top? Fit for a princess.

and then we moved onto some whisky based drinks.

Followed quickly by some yummy, fruity champagne cocktails.

and then something a little more chocolatey. Cocktails at The Polo Bar are beautifully and lovingly made, they're not rushed. You can tell with every sip.

The bar nibbles kept us full as we chatted away. These kinda date nights are my favourite.

I wore my new dress (online here) and we chatted the night away in the dimly lit, beautiful bar.

I love the Polo Bar because you get beautiful, delicious cocktails which are made with the best ingredients and made with so much love. The Polo Bar is relaxed but luxurious and the standard of service is one of the best I've come across. This is a seriously nice bar and I'd highly recommend popping in for an evening of nibbles and cocktails if you get the chance. I know I'll be back over and over again. We jumped in an Uber taxi (you can get £15 free with promo code EMTALKS15 by the way - the easiest way to get around, just download the app!) and headed back to the beautiful W hotel.

Doing my make up was a complete pleasure in the W hotel, with perfectly lit mirrors, they'd really thought of everything. There was no natural light near the mirrors so this meant my make up looked like I'd done it in day light. Thanks W.

I woke up with a fresh Sassoon blow dry (Sassoon is my fave salon as most of you will know). My face essentials for the weekend looked a little bit like this though; NARS Velvet Matte Sheer Skin Tint - such an incredible foundation and actually, my new favourite. Urban Decay x Gwen lip liner in shade ex-girlfriend, I cannot stop using this. Kiehl's Morning Concentrate, in true me style, I've not seen it since this trip so probably left it in the room. Gutted. If you read my skincare routine post you'll know this is my saviour and has saved my skin. Guerlain's Terracotta bronzer, my new fave and then Topshop's Everything stick. This stick really does do everything, you can use it on your lips, cheeks, eyes. Get creative! I know I did.

I had fresh gel nails thanks to Nails Inc. Little bit obsessed. Their champagne nail bars are heavenly.

I of course had my travel sized Jo with me. The best scent ever.

Reluctantly, we left the beautiful and cosy bed and headed down to breakfast. Breakfast is served in an amazing restaurant. I was challenged by Superdry to style Matt up for a date day so for this day, decided to put him in a chunky, beige cable crew jumper (I'm a sucker for knits) and some super skinny jeans.

When I was younger, I worked at All Saints for a long time so I like to think I know my knit wear. I actually am very impressed with the quality of this jumper and Matt loved it too. Luckily he approved of the pieces I chose for him.