You’re stepping out of Tower Hill station and there it is. Right in your face. The citizenM London Tower of London isn’t trying to be subtle, and honestly, why should it? It sits on some of the most expensive real estate in the city, staring directly at the Roman Wall and the White Tower. Most hotels in this part of London feel stuffy—all marble lobbies and hushed whispers from guys in tailcoats—but this place is different. It's vibrant.
It's red.
If you've never stayed in a citizenM, the concept can be a bit of a shock to the system. They’ve basically stripped away everything you don't need—like bellhops, tiny bottles of shampoo that are impossible to squeeze, and desks that take up half the floor—and doubled down on the stuff that actually makes a city break better. We're talking about the view, the bed, and the Wi-Fi. It’s a tech-heavy, high-design hub that feels like a cross between a luxury spaceship and a very cool friend's living room.
The Room Situation: Is It Too Small?
Let’s get the "pod" thing out of the way. People worry about the room size at citizenM London Tower of London.
Yes, they are compact. They’re roughly 14 square meters. If you’re planning on doing yoga in the middle of the floor or hosting a dinner party, you’re out of luck. But here’s the thing: the bed is huge. It’s an XL King, wall-to-wall, and it’s tucked right against a massive window. If you time it right and get a room on the higher floors facing south, you’re literally waking up to the Tower of London. It feels like you can reach out and touch the history.
The room is controlled by a "MoodPad"—basically an iPad that lets you change the light colors, close the blinds, and blast the TV without getting out from under the duvet. Want the room to be "Romance" purple? Tap a button. Want "Focus" bright white? Tap a button. It’s admittedly a bit gimmicky, but after a 10-mile walk through the South Bank, being able to shut the world out without moving a muscle is a legitimate luxury.
Storage is hidden. There’s a massive drawer under the bed for your suitcase. It’s clever engineering, really. You won't find a wardrobe, just a few pegs and a small hanging space. It forces you to be organized. Some people hate it. I think it’s refreshing. It’s a hotel room designed for the way we actually travel now—charging multiple devices, sleeping deeply, and getting out into the city.
👉 See also: Something is wrong with my world map: Why the Earth looks so weird on paper
That Rooftop Bar (cloudM)
Honestly, even if you don't stay here, you should try to grab a drink at cloudM.
It’s the hotel’s rooftop bar and it’s one of the best-kept secrets in the City. Well, maybe not a secret anymore, but it’s better than the overpriced tourist traps nearby. The outdoor terrace looks directly over the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. When the sun goes down and the bridge lights up, it’s spectacular. You see the Shard piercing the sky to the south and the Gherkin to the north.
The vibe is "designer lounge." There are Vitra sofas everywhere and shelves stocked with quirky books and art pieces. It doesn’t feel like a hotel bar; it feels like a gallery where you can also get a decent Negroni. The staff are usually pretty laid back—no "sir" or "madam" every five seconds, just genuine conversation. It’s the kind of place where you can sit with a laptop for three hours and nobody will bother you, or you can have a full-blown party on a Friday night.
Location: The Real Reason to Book
You’re in the heart of the Square Mile. This is where London began.
The citizenM London Tower of London sits right on top of the Tower Hill Underground station. You can be in Covent Garden in 15 minutes or Shoreditch in 10. But the immediate area is what’s fascinating. You have the contrast of the ancient Tower (built by William the Conqueror) sitting next to the hyper-modern architecture of the financial district.
What’s actually nearby?
- St. Katharine Docks: A two-minute walk away. It’s a marina full of yachts and tucked-away restaurants like The Dickens Inn. It feels completely separate from the city noise.
- The Tower of London: Obviously. Go early to see the Crown Jewels before the queues get insane.
- Leadenhall Market: A bit of a walk, but worth it for the Victorian architecture. Harry Potter fans will recognize it as the entrance to Diagon Alley.
- Sky Garden: You’re very close to the "Walkie Talkie" building. If you can’t get a booking for the Sky Garden, the view from the hotel’s rooftop is a solid runner-up.
One thing to note: the City of London (the financial district) can get a bit quiet on weekends. A lot of the sandwich shops and coffee spots that cater to office workers close down. However, because this is such a tourist-heavy spot, the pubs and main attractions stay buzzing. You get the best of both worlds—quiet streets to walk through on a Sunday morning, but plenty of life around the landmarks.
✨ Don't miss: Pic of Spain Flag: Why You Probably Have the Wrong One and What the Symbols Actually Mean
The Food and the "CanteenM" Concept
Don’t expect a three-course sit-down dinner with white tablecloths. That’s not what this is.
The lobby is essentially a massive open-plan living room with a bar/café called CanteenM in the middle. It’s open 24/7. If you get a craving for a spicy tuna melt or a brownie at 3:00 AM after a flight, they’ve got you. The breakfast is a buffet, and while it’s not the cheapest in London, the quality is high. Proper sourdough, good coffee (very important), and actual hot food that hasn't been sitting under a heat lamp for six hours.
The "living room" lobby is the heart of the hotel. It’s filled with Taschen books and Eames chairs. It’s designed to get you out of your room. You’ll see people working on startups, couples planning their day with paper maps, and solo travelers just soaking in the decor. It’s an introverted traveler’s dream because you can be "social" without actually having to talk to anyone if you don't want to.
Breaking Down the Tech and Sustainability
The hotel is basically paperless.
Check-in is via a kiosk. It takes about 60 seconds. You grab a RFID card, scan it, and you’re done. You can even use the card as a luggage tag when you leave.
Sustainability is a big talking point for the brand. They use large-size toiletries (AM and PM scents) fixed to the wall to cut down on single-use plastics. The building itself is LEED Gold certified, which is a big deal for a hotel in such an old part of the city. They’ve managed to make a high-tech building that doesn't feel like a cold, sterile laboratory. It’s warm. It’s colorful.
🔗 Read more: Seeing Universal Studios Orlando from Above: What the Maps Don't Tell You
The Downside: Who Should Avoid This Hotel?
I’m not going to tell you it’s perfect for everyone. It’s not.
If you are traveling with a lot of luggage—like, three suitcases each—you are going to feel cramped. The rooms are optimized for efficiency, not excess. If you’re traveling with a colleague or a friend you aren't that close with, the bathroom might be an issue. The shower and toilet are enclosed in frosted glass pods within the room. They aren't completely opaque. It’s fine for couples, but it can be a bit "intimate" for others.
Also, if you prefer traditional luxury—concierge services, room service trays, and someone to turn down your bed—you’ll be disappointed. There is no "staff" in the traditional sense; there are "Ambassadors." They do everything from making coffee to helping with your key card. It’s a flat hierarchy. Personally, I find it way more human, but if you want to be "pampered," go to the Savoy.
Why it Beats the Competition
When you compare citizenM London Tower of London to other hotels in the same price bracket nearby, the difference is usually the "soul" of the place. You could stay at a Hilton or a Novotel nearby for a similar price. Those rooms will be bigger, sure. But they’ll also look like every other hotel room in the world.
The citizenM feels like London. It feels like the now.
You're paying for the location and the atmosphere. You’re paying for the fact that you can walk out the front door and be at the Thames in sixty seconds. You're paying for the incredibly fast Wi-Fi that actually works, which is surprisingly rare in London hotels.
Practical Advice for Your Stay
- Request a high floor: The street noise is minimal because of the triple glazing, but the views get exponentially better the higher you go.
- Join the "Citizen" program: It’s free and usually knocks about 10% off the price. Plus, they often give you a free drink on arrival.
- Use the app: You can check in before you even arrive and use your phone as your room key.
- Wander North: Don't just stay by the river. Walk north into Spitalfields and Brick Lane. It’s a 15-minute walk and the food scene there is incredible.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the View: Before booking, look at the room types. If a "Tower View" is available, pay the extra £20-30. It’s one of the few places in London where the upgrade is actually worth the cash.
- Plan Your Arrival: If you’re coming from Heathrow, take the Elizabeth Line to Liverpool Street and walk or take a short tube ride. It’s way faster than a cab.
- Download the App: Set up your lighting and temperature preferences before you arrive so your room is exactly how you want it the second you walk in.
- Explore the Lobby: Spend at least one evening just hanging out in the ground floor lounge. The people-watching is top-tier, and the curated book collection is genuinely interesting if you’re into art and architecture.