Malmaison Hotel, London, United Kingdom
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Exterior: Malmaison in London, UK -
Square Suite Bedroom: Malmaison in London, UK -
Square Suite Lounge: Malmaison in London, UK -
Square Suite Bathroom: Malmaison in London, UK -
Bar: Malmaison in London, UK -
Deluxe Room: Malmaison in London, UK -
Brasserie: Malmaison in London, UK -
Champagne Bar: Malmaison in London, UK -
Lobby: Malmaison in London, UK
Malmaison Hotel 4 Stars
Quintessentially London: a handsome building overlooking a gorgeous garden square in Clerkenwell
Hotel Overview
Review of Malmaison Hotel, by Isabel Clift
Malmaison London is a magnet for City boys and girls - but, just like striped braces under an Armani suit, its formal facade conceals some seriously fun, idiosyncratic styling. The lobby's gauze curtains, wood panelled walls and plush navy seating kick off the neo-gothic design, while the pink-lit champagne bar befits the hotel's high-flying clientele.
The facilities
The signature French bistro is housed in a seductive subterranean restaurant, with wood-cocooned booths and a wall mounted fireplace. A private party alcove, raised above the main floorspace, has a sexy chequered ceiling, black chandeliers and an altogether more devilish decor. A jet black bar serving classic cocktails completes the scene.
But it's not all naughty, as the 'Home Grown & Local' menu proves; produce is sourced from the best independent suppliers in the area, including the beer - a pint from the Battersea Brewery Company is not to be missed. It's not all about indulgence, though: Malmaison has no neighbouring parks, so the amusingly named Gym Tonic helps you stay nimble the morning after the night before.
The rooms
The 97 guestrooms are matte and masculine, boasting black furniture, wall-mounted LCD televisions and beds with ceiling-height cushioned headboards - though white bed linen and cream carpets keep decor unimposing. Standard rooms have plenty of space (some have king sized beds), and Deluxe rooms even more size-able.
Malmaison's only suite is a treat. Called 'The Square', decor is suitably sharp; from the black ten-seater corner sofa to the large, cuboid wooden bath. This extraordinary feature bathroom also has black walls and wooden basins, as well as a television above the square tub. In the all-black bedroom, purple pillows and monochrome photography are chic additions to the modern-goth splendour. An altogether impressive suite to call home.
Facilities
Rooms
97Who stays here?
Denizens of The City; enthusiasts of historic London and the East EndCome for...
- Business - or clubbing - in Clerkenwell
- Gothic styling without the goths
- The unusual yet understated wooden bathroom in The Square suite
Not Suitable for...
- The West End on your doorstep
- The unstylish
Children
Extra cots available for children; interconnecting rooms for familiesEating in
The Brasserie serves good, classic French dishes: bright and buzzy at lunch, moodier and more romantic in the evening. Conscientious diners can opt for the Home Grown & Local choicesThe Press Say
"It’s not often you find a hotel that successfully manages to blend style, history, culture and practicality, but Malmaison London does precisely this." The Telegraph 08Reviews
Review of Malmaison London, by Angela Moore
Malmaison London scores big points for location: housed in a handsome red brick building overlooking a garden square instead of the usual busy London street. Inside are showy velvet sofas, extravagant arrangements of orchids, and a bank of clean-cut, black-suited, eager-to-help reception staff. Everything is immediately and comfortingly Malmaison: efficient without being clinical, colourful but not flamboyant and functional but stylish.
The facilities
Downstairs there's a smart contemporary basement bar and brasserie, flooded with natural light from huge skylights. Cocktails are served at moodily lit, high-backed black leather banquettes. Behind one large glass wall is the cellar (taking food and drink very seriously is a Malmaison trademark).
The rooms
Malmaison London's 97 rooms are above all spacious; you could turn cartwheels in the standard double. All face over the square and all have proper double beds. The boutique rooms are definitely built for comfort, detailed and well planned. Colours are muted, with the occasional lavish splash - bordello red in a wall recess, velvet chaise-lounges, and clever use of lighting. Beds are dressed in Frette linen and have smart patterned velvet headboards that extend halfway up the walls. Bathrooms are compact but well laid-out and with separate walk-in showers.