Malmaison London is one of those hotels that quietly gets the essentials right and lets the city do the talking. Its trump card is the address: right on Charterhouse Square, one of London’s most handsome and historic garden squares. Waking up to that view and stepping out onto cobbles edged by period buildings gives the stay a distinctly “hidden London” feel, central yet serene. You’re moments from Farringdon and the Barbican, with Smithfield and St Paul’s a comfortable stroll away, but the square anchors everything with a sense of place that’s rare in this part of town.
We stayed in a Club Room, which fits the Malmaison mould of modern, moody and comfortable rather than flashy. The colour palette is rich without being dark, lighting is well positioned, and there’s a practical layout that makes settling in effortless. The bed is generously sized with crisp linens and proper pillows; we slept well and appreciated the quiet of the square at night. Storage is straightforward, with room to unpack without turning the space into a maze of cases. A decent desk and conveniently placed sockets make it easy to catch up on emails, and there’s enough seating to enjoy a coffee and a moment’s pause before heading out.
Bathrooms in city hotels can often feel like an afterthought, but here it’s compact done properly. Water pressure is good, the walk-in shower doesn’t flood the floor, and mirrors sit where you expect them. Housekeeping kept everything in good order, and the room felt fresh every time we returned. The overall impression is of a space designed for people who actually travel, with everything you need in the right place and a touch of personality layered in.
“Right on Charterhouse Square: calm, characterful, and exactly where you want to be.”
Downstairs, the public areas carry the same unfussy confidence. The bar and restaurant sit just off reception, providing a sociable heartbeat without overwhelming the ground floor. We used the bar as a pre and post dinner pit stop; it’s relaxed and welcoming, the sort of place where you can regroup after a day out or ease into the evening before heading off. The restaurant is an easy option when convenience wins, ideal for breakfast before meetings or a no fuss dinner when you don’t feel like roaming. Malmaison isn’t trying to be a destination dining room here, and that honesty suits the hotel’s character.
Service hits a friendly, human note. Check in is brisk and painless, questions are answered with a smile, and any small requests are handled in that “of course” manner that keeps your day moving. It’s attentive without hovering; staff appear when you need them, then melt away again, which is exactly the balance you want in a city hotel.
The location deserves another mention, because Charterhouse Square genuinely shapes the experience. Start the morning with a loop around the garden before the city fully wakes, then slip to Farringdon for the Elizabeth line or Thameslink when it’s time to roam further afield. You can walk to Barbican for culture, Smithfield for history, and Clerkenwell for cafés and lively evenings, yet returning to the square feels restorative. It has that quiet, in-the-know energy that makes you feel more like a local than a visitor.
Back in the Club Room, the details hold up to repeated use. Blackout curtains do their job; lighting can be tuned from work-ready bright to late night mellow; and the bed invites you to steal an extra ten minutes in the morning. It isn’t palatial, and that’s not the point. The design is confident but measured, comfortable without gimmicks, and geared towards people who value an easy, well run base above Instagram theatrics. After long days, that practicality becomes the real luxury.
For anyone weighing up where to stay in central London, Malmaison London makes a compelling case. You get a proper sense of place from Charterhouse Square, excellent transport from Farringdon, and a calm, thoughtfully designed room to retreat to. The bar and restaurant are there when you want them, service is warm and unfussy, and the whole operation feels steady and sure of itself. It isn’t trying to wow you with grand gestures; instead, it delivers the kind of quietly polished stay that lodges itself in your memory.
In short, if you like your London base to be central but not hectic, stylish without the hard sell, and grounded in a location that feels special, Malmaison London is a smart choice. Charterhouse Square does a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of atmosphere, and the hotel builds on that with comfortable Club Rooms and an easy flow downstairs. We left rested, well looked after, and already planning an excuse to return to that lovely corner of the city.
The Bill: £285 per night
