Definitely calmed my anxiety and reaction down. (I get a bit panicky around fragrances and perfumes,) so this area, made me feel happier and at ease being there.
After I settled in, I (obviously) took photos on my way out – what an opportunity for Insta-worthy photos!
This one is from the Mezzanine level on the 8th floor looking down to the main 7th floor.
Worth the Hype: A Must-Visit Spot
Lots of comfy areas and spaces to work. Not claustrophobic, and however you like to work, you can choose a space that works for your vibe. Whether that’s looking out to a view, brighter, or darker, natural lighting or unnatural lighting, in a buzzy area or a really quiet area.
To me, it didn’t feel or look like too ‘professional’ or a ‘working zone’.
It was more like being in a London celebrity home with massive views across London and tons of space to move around, and find a spot in gorgeous comfy chairs or booths with tables and chairs.
I later realised this workspace is called ‘Society M’.
Genius concept and design – definitely worth a visit if you’re in town and need to do work.
I chose a quiet area after walking to various areas to see which one would be the best.
There was a comfy sofa and table with 2 seats on the 8th floor mezzanine so I set up my ‘desk’ and sipped my tea, connected to the free wifi on my laptop, and had pen and pad at the ready for the call.
A perfect spot to do focused work with no distractions as everything is tucked away so you’re not in an open area where you see or hear everyone else and I had time to create a post and edit another one afterwards!
And brainstormed some other stuff too.
When a guy came round to ask about drinks or food I curiously asked if this working area on the 7th was for guests only.
It is, and I later discovered it’s accessible to paid-for members only.
But on this occasion he said I would be welcomed back to work here, anytime by the hotel’s team, given my allergy, which was incredibly nice of them. (this was in 2018, so things may have changed you never know!)
There are also some lovely views of the Tower of London: Citizen M Hotel, Tower Hill Citizen M’s hotel also have a great bar with lots of gluten-free spirits like Chase and various Gins (I clocked that out on my way out) and they have Chase Vodka in reception (I checked that too and they do every kind of Fever-Tree tonic required)
It seems I have my free-from radar on wherever I go!
Bar area on 7/8th stocking gluten-free drinks.
There’s a HUGE tall library area with a corridor and desk space by the windows opposite to work from. Spacious, airy and no fragrances to worry about.
How do people reach those books and dust!??! (Heck of a cleaning job with ladders at night probably!)
Society M Citizen Hotel London 7th floor
Highly recommend working from this hotel on the 7th or 8th floor if you have a fragrance allergy and need a place to work from.
I’d recommend avoiding the scented reception completely.
You could bypass that and take the lift straight to the 7th!
Really enjoyed my time working there. A HUGE thank you to the team at Citizen M, you’re my new favourite place to work from in London!
Staying in the hotel Citizen M hotels also have quite a unique offering for those who want to stay overnight including their ethos “We believe everyone should have the best”.
So that means rooms are exactly the same – there’s no twin room, double room, superior room to faff about choosing from. It’s one room and that’s it.
When I searched on their website for a room as an example to find out costs, it came up at £114/night. (free cancellation room was £129) which I think is fabulous value for a city hotel with all that extra stuff and also for the QUALITY of the building and decor and location – it’s worth it. A total no brainer.
Everything looks clean and decent and on their website it says:
- 1 minute check-in/out
- free wifi
- the best rain shower ever apparently
- 24 hr food/drinks
- 0 cost for movies and the coolest reception area I’ve ever seen!
- Guests also get: free wifi/movies in all rooms
- XL kingsize beds in all rooms
- power rain shower
- 2 people max in each room
- skype phone rates
- wall to wall windows
- international plug system
- ambient room experience with touchscreen control for colour, temperature, blinds, television and more
Definitely worth a visit.
Even just to check out the Society M work space.
Edited: I’ve just been back today (23rd March) and it’s still just as amazing.
When I showed the receptionist my blog post on arrival on the 7th she was so surprised I’d taken the time to write this, She kindly gave me a free drinks card for Society M “travelling is thirsty work so have a drink on us, you deserve it!”
How cool and lovely!
Just what I need for Friday Feels!
Wrapping up: Your Go-To Fragrance-Free Oasis
So, if you’re all about escaping the fragrance madness, or you just want a wicked spot to work, Citizen M Hotel’s where it’s at. It’s got that London charm, epic views, and a vibe that’ll keep you coming back for more. Are you ready for it? Citizen M Hotel’s waiting for you. Cheers to a fragrance-free working life and Friday Feels, my friends!
Citizen M Tower of London
Address: 40 Trinity Square, London EC3N 4DJ
Phone: 020 3519 4830
TripAdvisor
The Citizen M Hotel is right next to Tower Hill tube – the ultimate convenience. It has an amazing view of the iconic Tower of London – the backdrop to your next power move or touristy adventure. Ready to find out more about this place that’s got you covered for team off-site, brainstorms, or just a rad change of scenery to do your thing?
With an allergy-free working zone called Society M, this cool hotel Citizen M has everything a professional or tourist could ask for. Heard of it? Neither had I until I stumbled across it by pure chance because of my fragrance allergy.
Firstly: How Did I Find It?
Well, by sheer luck from travelling back from a meeting across the other side of London and needing to find somewhere quiet, to take another call instead of standing on the street.
The coffee shop I intended to go to was closed, and when I arrived at Towerhilltube, I spotted the Citizen M hotel next door.
After walking through reception admiring the gorgeous surroundings and seeing a huge communal working area …yes! I thought)
I quickly purchased a lemon and
ginger tea from the bar and immediately realised there was a ghastly toxic perfumed smell pumping out of the area.Oh dear….another fragranced hotel..why do they do that?
Here we go again I thought to myself.
Literally couldn’t believe it.
A Whiff of Fate
Started feeling nauseous and the headache started coming on – I couldn’t concentrate on anything other than the horrendous smell and getting to fresh air…and quick.
With 10 minutes to go until the call, I asked the waitress if there was anywhere else I could go within the hotel, because I was allergic to fragrances (and I’d just got a tea in hand, which I hadn’t yet sipped on) and, that I had an important call and just needed somewhere quiet to go.
She kindly said the 7th floor should be less fragranced as it had a larger space to work from to head straight up there.
Smart idea. So I took my tea, rucksack, laptop, coat, and everything in the lift as fast and carefully as possible.
Realising hot tea in a lift was definitely a safety issue, I was incredibly careful (and no one was in the lift with me) to get me to the 7th pronto.
Society M Workspace, meeting rooms and vibe!
On arrival at the 7th floor, I looked around a bit dazed and anxious after being ‘fragranced’ and walked into an area with a Buckingham Palace guard statue greeting me, some incredible design and architecture, and cool chairs.
Wow, I thought to myself. No scent and what a great find!