citizenM Bankside

Genuinely new hotel concepts are actually quite rare, so the Dutch-owned citizenM group deserves applause. It can justifiably claim to have recast the relationship between the hotel host and the guest, making the latter feel like an equally sophisticated, trusted friend. So what’s new? The citizen London Bankside property, handy for the Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe and other South Bank attractions, also a short walk across the Thames from the City, may be quirky and individual, but it is conceptually identical to its sister hotels. The group is clearly setting out to create a loyal international club of business or city-breaking customers or “citizens”, who hop between well-sited properties in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, London, Glasgow, Paris and New York. The group has hit upon a daringly unique formula, one that seems to be working. You could call it affordable chic, combining as it does competitive prices (depending on when you book) with extraordinarily high standards of interior design, super-service, amenities such as in-room media and lighting atmospherics, no-hassle group-wide wifi, casual but business-friendly style and exceptionally personable and well-trained staff. The bedrooms, with their glowing translucent shower pods, wall-to-wall beds, big windows and smart-pad operated media (including free movies), have a striking space-age design impact that more than distracts from their small size. As for their public areas, these are brilliantly conceived with their cool furniture and ultra-modern ornamentation, not to mention their free-to-use Apple Macs. It’s trendy all right, but it is also welcoming, cool, fun and extremely user-friendly (check in and out takes seconds). The food offering is good, though pricey, presumably to help subsidise the low room rates, and the bar one of the buzziest and busiest in this recently invigorated part of London. OK, so their omnipresent jokey messaging “Citizen M says…” etc may not be in tune with everyone’s sense of humour, but it's distinctive and quirky and all part of a delightfully fresh, rich and surprising hotel experience.

 

Written by Colin Donald

• Free wifi
• Plus iMacs are dotted around for residents to use.
• Restaurant
• canteenM offers breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Meeting Room
• Seven spacious meeting rooms
• In room DVD
• Free movies on demand!
• Satellite / Cable TV

• Wifi
• Conference facilities
• Safe
• Bar

• Sights nearby
• Very close to Tate Modern and the Millenium Bridge

Why do people love staying in your hotel? citizenM is a hotel driven by one desire: to create affordable luxury for the people. By ‘the people,’ we mean a smart new breed of international traveller, the type who crosses continents the way others cross streets. This includes the weekenders, the suits, fashion baggers and affair havers. The explorers, adventurers and dreamers. Those who travel the world with big hearts and wide eyes. Those who are independent, yet united by a love of the five continents. Those in search of business, shopping or art. In short, everyone who is a mobile citizen of the world. Most likely, that also means you. citizenM hotels offer all guests self check-in service on touch screen terminals with 24 hour assistance of citizenM ambassadors. the lobby the lobby is designed to function as your living room. No marble fountains. No piano man. Instead, you'll find contemporary living spaces with Vitra furniture, to rest, meet or work. citizenM likes you to feel at home even if your home is 5,000 miles away. WIFI internet is available in all rooms and lobby. You can also use our iMac computers free of charge.

What is there to do in the area? citizenM is located at the Bankside, minutes from the Tate Modern and London Bridge, and within walking distance from Southwark tube station (Jubilee Line).

What kind of breakfast do you offer? Instead of a traditional buffet, select any items from our breakfast assortment, or choose the full English breakfast. The English breakfast includes a fresh croissant, orange juice, fresh brewed coffee or tea, muesli yoghurt, scrambled eggs, tomatoes, sausage and bacon. The English Breakfast can be booked in advance together with your accommodations for only ￡11.95 (￡14.95 if purchased on the day). Check the reservations page for details.

Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? canteenM is a 24/7 pit stop for hungry citizens. canteenM is a breakfast bar for excellent coffee and pastries. canteenM is a bar with beer on tap, champagne and cocktails on order. canteenM is a lunch or evening diner for sushi, signature sandwiches, warm dishes, and dozens of drinks to quench your thirst. canteenM is at the heart of citizenM and is surrounded by relaxing living, eating and drinking spaces.

Which are your most popular room types, and why? citizenM only has 1 room type and it redefines the hotel standard. You will find a wall to wall window, LCD television with free movie channels including blockbusters and classic favourites. An XL king-sized bed, just in case you like to dance in your dreams. We'll keep going: power rain shower, luxury bed and bath linen, global plug system and a full length mirror with theatre lighting. And megalomaniacs will love the innovative touch screen MoodPad. It lets you control the hotel room, including television, window blinds, temperature, coloured lighting, wake-up alarm themes and more for an ambient room experience.

What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers? Above all, citizenM wants to offer a new type of hotel experience for a new type of traveller: people who value personal choice, contemporary design, friendly technology and the proximity to a city – for an accessible price.