CitizenM has officially stolen my heart and become my go-to hotel in London. I’ve been to the city a few times for work since moving to Germany, and my stays were always the same: a quick overnight in a standard hotel, a familiar trip to Wagamama’s, and some last-minute biscuit shopping at Heathrow. Nothing glamorous, but nothing terrible either.
But my last trip was different. My colleague and I chose to stay at CitizenM in Southwark, just south of the river Thames. Having stayed in countless generic hotel chains, we weren’t expecting much.
A Hotel with Character
CitizenM is a design hotel, that much was clear upon arrival. The lobby was spacious and open, with comfortable lounge areas, a bar, and a dining space. But it was the bold pop art, the quirky sculpture, and the stunning circular staircase that really caught our attention. It was like a breath of fresh air compared to the usual sterile hotel lobbies.
Rooms that Steal the Show
The lobby was impressive, but the rooms were the real stars of the show.
CitizenM rooms are cool in every sense of the word. The king-size bed, nestled between two walls with an LED TV on the opposite side, was ridiculously comfortable and perfect for a cozy night in.
And the free movies! It’s not every day you can prepare for a busy work day by relaxing in your bed with a British romantic comedy. (About Time, if you must know…)
A Bathroom with a Rainforest Shower
The bathroom was small but sleek with a fantastic rainforest showerhead. (Although, I must admit, the distance between the toilet and the shower could be a bit larger.)
The Magical iPad Control
But the true gem of the room was the iPad control. I was initially surprised to find a seemingly free iPad in my room, but it quickly became clear that it controlled everything: the blinds, curtains, lights, TV, movies, and even the mood. Each room comes with mood lights in various colours that you can change using the iPad. You can also choose from various pre-set filters that automatically adjust the lighting, colours, curtains, and even the evening heating.
The ‘movie’ filter created a cinema-like darkness, perfect for enjoying my romantic comedy. The iPad control was innovative, easy-to-use, and totally personalised my experience.
Function and Comfort
The room also boasted functional wardrobe space, free stationery, and various connection ports including USB, UK, and EU plug sockets.
Friendly Staff and Extra Perks
We checked in using a self-service scanner, but a friendly employee still took the time to tell us about the hotel’s facilities and breakfast offerings. The same staff member was incredibly helpful when I asked to borrow an EU-UK adapter, only to discover there was already one in the room!
The check-out experience was just as pleasant. I chatted with a enthusiastic employee from Brazil while waiting for my colleague, and he seemed genuinely proud to work for the hotel chain.
As an added bonus, my colleague’s breakfast was given to her free of charge thanks to the friendly woman at the counter. I opted for the full cooked breakfast, while my colleague chose a bagel, and we were only charged for mine.
A Truly Exceptional Stay
I’ve stayed in my fair share of nice hotels, but CitizenM is the first one I’ve truly loved. The high-tech gadgets were fun, easy-to-use, and added a unique touch to my stay. The comfortable bed was exactly what I needed after a long day, and the free movies were a wonderful bonus.
Watching a film in bed on a Sunday evening felt like a relaxing night in at home, not a business trip in London.
CitizenM has spoiled me. I don’t think I’ll ever stay in another London hotel again. I am officially Citizen John.
Author Note: This review was not endorsed by CitizenM, nor was the stay provided by the brand. Images: Richard Powers.
