CitizenM Hotels entered the market in 2008 with the aim of disrupting the hospitality industry by offering affordable luxury to a new generation of “mobile” travelers—primarily Millennials—who found traditional luxury hotels either too expensive or too rigid for their lifestyle and budget.
Their concept involved eliminating non-essential services (such as premium restaurants) and reducing room sizes to cut costs, while enhancing communal spaces—like coworking areas and bars—to create a fresh, vibrant experience at affordable prices. This approach paved the way for a new generation of “lifestyle” hotel brands, such as Marriott’s Moxy Hotels, that cater to this market segment. As of today, they operate 36 hotels in Europe, North America and Asia.
At the time of booking, the first thing I noticed was that their room options were limited to regular and accessible rooms, each featuring around 14 sq.m. of space and a king-size bed. There were no suites or family rooms available, which aligns with the brand’s philosophy of offering low-cost accommodations to guests while maximizing revenue for shareholders.
At this price point, and as it was my first stay with the brand, my expectations were set quite low (you can’t be disappointed if you don’t expect much!). My first surprise upon arrival was how artsy the entire place felt. A Jeff Koons balloon dog greeted me at the entrance, and the contemporary, cool artwork adorning the lobby walls contributed to a vibrant, lively atmosphere. If they wanted to catch my attention, they definitely succeeded!
The check-in experience, which was fully self-service, was also a first for me. CitizenM replaces the traditional check-in desk with automated kiosks where you can look up your reservation, pay, and generate your room key—all in under 5 minutes. There was one staff member nearby to assist with any troubleshooting if needed, but the whole process is straightforward and quick, so no assistance required on my side.
After locating your reservation, you’re asked for room preferences (e.g., low/high floor, tarmac or garden views in this case). The process also allows you to add extras to your stay, such as the breakfast buffet or a late check-out.
Once the check-in process is complete, you are prompted to activate your room key, and your room number is printed on a ticket.
The entire ground floor of the property is dedicated to a communal workspace, centered around the hotel bar (the Canteen, as they call it) and the gift shop, where you can buy toiletries, books, and curated little gifts. The space features several open areas, as well as private boardrooms (available for a fee). It’s beautifully designed, with cool art at every turn.
At 14 sq.m., the room was compact, to say the least. The bathroom area is integrated into the bedroom, with both the shower and toilet presented as “capsules” between the room’s entrance and the bed at the opposite end.
The bed itself was quite large, designed to fit the room’s width with no walk-around space. A 55″ flat-screen TV is positioned in front of the bed, serving as the entertainment center, with access to regular TV channels, radio stations, and all major streaming services (Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime) via your personal accounts.
There was a small work desk (which I didn’t use), but it didn’t look particularly comfortable for extended work sessions. The brand’s intention is clearly to encourage guests to use the coworking lobby area instead, likely to drive extra revenue through drinks and snacks at the bar.
There were no closets, just a coat hanger in the room. However, there was a small safe underneath it for storing valuables.
The shower and toilet “glass capsule” concept was interesting—a smart way to integrate them into the limited space without the need for physical walls, which would have made the room feel even smaller. The downside, however, is the limited privacy. While the toilet capsule’s glass walls were frosted and non-transparent, it still felt somewhat exposed.
The hotel uses its own range of toiletries, all of which felt very nice. I especially liked the idea of having separate morning and evening shower gels.
Probably the coolest part of the room was the iPad-controlled system, which centralized everything from TV and entertainment to wake-up alarms and mood lighting. This was definitely the room’s standout feature, allowing you to control everything right from your bed.
The ironing room on my floor was surprisingly scenic, too!
CitizenM really impressed me with its great value for the price. From the easy check-in to the cool, compact rooms, the experience was positive from start to finish. The hotel has a lively, creative vibe, and it’s clear they’ve put thought into making everything both practical and stylish. While it was perfect for an overnight stay, I can see how the limited room space might be a bit of an issue for a longer stay. Still, if you’re looking for a fun, no-fuss place to stay without breaking the bank, CitizenM is definitely worth checking out.
