Last week I had the thrill of socializing with the We Blog Design community at the newly opened citizenM hotel at Tower Hill. As a working mum I don’t get out much on my own in the evenings unless I’m away for work, so I definitely stayed up way past my bedtime.
It’s always fun to spend time with people who are as obsessed with design as I am, especially design bloggers. I always learn something new and inevitably meet some new and interesting people. The We Blog Design event didn’t disappoint, as well as familiar faces (both on and off line) a fun evening was lined up for us – dinner courtesy of the citizenM team, a fun snapchat challenge to get to know people we may not have met before by and a cocktail masterclass with the East London Liquor Company. All within the delights of a design-savvy hotel with a rooftop bar with killer views of London.
One of the things the citizenM prides itself on its “social spaces” in fact the ground floor is given over entirely to a wonderful relaxed space perfect for working, socialising or just reading a book with a coffee. Or lusting after the commissioned artwork. It’s also a great space to play spot the “design classic’, as there are so many well-known pieces from the likes of Charles and Ray Eames, Antonio Citterio and Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec.
There is a fun little design shop on the ground floor, selling coffee table books, prints and the types of trinkets you’d find at the Design Museum.
The cocktail master class with the East London Liquor Company at the Cloud M bar. If you’re following me on Instagram, you’ll have seen the amazing views over the Tower of London and the City of London.
It was a really fun evening, and I thoroughly enjoyed socializing with such a great group of bloggers. Did I mention that I also got to “sleep test” in one of the 370 bedrooms? Oh yes, with a view of the Shard and the Walkie Talkie building (or 20 Fenchurch Street as it’s officially known).
All the rooms are created equal at citizenM except the accessible ones, which I happened to have. This means a little more room, including the fantastic Alcove Plume sofa designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and not one but TWO large windows. Everything in your citizenM room is controlled by the in-room iPad from the blinds and mood lighting to the TV channels and your bill.
The ground floor coffee shop was a saviour when I decided that going out at 7 am for a quick walk to get some exterior photos was a good idea. Such a good idea in fact that when I got back, I went straight back to my super comfy huge bed….. might have had something to do with those cocktails.
Hope you have enjoyed a peek into my recent trip being a design tourist in London with CitizenM – if you were following along on snapchat you’ll obviously have
seen more of the “antics” and behind the scenes footage. You’ll have seen me lusting after the great artwork especially that gorgeous Julian Opie (first image above). If it ever goes missing from the Citizen M, it’s in my living room. Just saying.
If you are looking for a contemporary design-focused but budget-friendly hotel in London (prices start at £109 per night), then I highly recommend you take a look at citizenM Tower Hill.
For more of my design tourist posts visit here and here
I was a guest of citizenM Tower of London. With thanks to Camron PR and We Blog Design for a wonderful evening.