Malmaison Leeds
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Expert Review: Malmaison Leeds
Malmaison Leeds, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently receives high praise for its blend of boutique charm, excellent service, and central location. Housed in a beautifully restored Victorian building, it offers a stylish and comfortable retreat in the heart of Leeds.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Malmaison Leeds is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently rating it as "Excellent" or "Superb." It boasts an overall score of 8.6, with high marks for cleanliness (8.9), comfort (8.9), and an impressive 9.3 for location. Guests often highlight its outstanding service and facilities, feeling they receive good value for money.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently rave about several aspects of Malmaison Leeds. The exceptionally comfortable beds, often described as "sleeping on clouds," are a recurring favourite, ensuring a restful night's sleep. The staff's friendly, attentive, and professional nature is a standout feature. Its central location, just a stone's throw from Leeds Railway Station, is highly appreciated for accessibility to shopping, dining, and cultural hotspots. The hotel's stylish design, with its richer, earthier décor, wrought-iron staircases, and unique architecture, adds to its appeal. The hotel is also pet-friendly, with staff making furry companions feel welcome.
3. Room Quality
Malmaison Leeds features 100 meticulously designed guest rooms and suites, described as spacious and modern in design. They are equipped with comfortable, super-size beds, plush linens, moody lighting, and en-suite bathrooms featuring power showers and bespoke toiletries, including a fig & olive massage oil. Rooms also come with air conditioning, satellite TV, tea/coffee making facilities, and free Wi-Fi.
While generally clean and comfortable, some reviews mention that certain areas of the decor can appear tired or dated, with occasional reports of scuffed walls, grubby carpets, or minor maintenance issues like peeling paint and loose bathroom tiles. Some guests have also noted a lack of convenient plug sockets near beds and the absence of a safe in their room. Noise can sometimes be a concern, particularly from outside street noise or nearby nightclubs on weekends, though many rooms, especially those at the back, are surprisingly quiet.
4. Dining Experience
The hotel's Chez Mal Brasserie & Bar offers an enjoyable dining experience, blending modern British brasserie vibes with a subtle French twist. The menu features big flavours and dishes cooked on Konro and Josper grills, with international inspiration evident in options ranging from buffalo chicken thighs to steak. The restaurant serves breakfast, brunch (including a popular bottomless brunch on Saturdays), lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea. Food quality is generally rated as excellent, and the bar is described as lively with creative cocktails. Breakfast receives positive feedback, though some guests have expressed disappointment that items like porridge are sometimes classed as a main meal and incur an extra charge.
5. Service & Staff
The service and staff at Malmaison Leeds consistently receive overwhelmingly positive feedback. Guests frequently commend the team for being friendly, attentive, helpful, and professional. Staff are noted for going above and beyond, offering warm welcomes, assisting with luggage, providing local recommendations, and efficiently managing check-in, often accommodating early arrivals or offering complimentary room upgrades for special occasions. Their problem-solving abilities, such as relocating guests to quieter rooms, are also highlighted. The hotel's pet-friendly service is particularly appreciated.
6. Location & Accessibility
Malmaison Leeds boasts an excellent and central location in Leeds City Centre, situated at 1 Swinegate. It's just a short walk, typically 5-10 minutes, from Leeds Railway Station. The hotel serves as a gateway to the city's top shopping, dining, and cultural hotspots, being only a few blocks from areas like Victoria Quarter, Harvey Nichols, and Trinity Leeds Mall. Attractions such as the Leeds Corn Exchange are also nearby.
While there is no on-site parking, the hotel has a partnership with a nearby Q-Park, located about 150 yards away, offering a 35% discount if pre-booked through the hotel. Guests are advised that parking can be expensive without this discount. Leeds Bradford Airport is approximately 15 km away, with city centre buses and taxis available.
7. Value & Pricing
Guests generally consider Malmaison Leeds to offer good value for money, especially when favourable rates are secured. Average prices can range from around £78 for a weeknight to £127 for a weekend night, with observed prices varying from £62 to £136 depending on deals and the season. April is typically the cheapest month to stay, while November tends to be the most expensive.
8. Common Complaints
Despite the high overall satisfaction, some recurring issues are mentioned by guests:
- Dated Decor: Some rooms and public areas occasionally show signs of wear and tear, such as scuffed walls, grubby carpets, peeling paint, or loose tiles.
- Noise: While many rooms are quiet, some guests have experienced noise from outside street traffic, nearby nightclubs on weekends, or from being located close to lifts.
- Room Amenities/Maintenance: Specific complaints include occasional issues with air conditioning or heating, a lack of convenient plug sockets near beds, and the absence of safes in some rooms.
- Pricing for Extras: Drinks, snacks, and food within the hotel, particularly certain breakfast items like porridge, can be perceived as expensive or incur additional charges.
- Parking: The lack of on-site parking and the cost of the nearby Q-Park (without pre-booked discounts) is a repeated point.
- Inconsistent Special Requests: Isolated incidents have been reported where pre-arranged room upgrades or special requests for occasions were not honoured upon arrival.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •Despite the high overall satisfaction, some recurring issues are mentioned by guests:
- •Room Amenities/Maintenance:** Specific complaints include occasional issues with air conditioning or heating, a lack of convenient plug sockets near beds, and the absence of safes in some rooms.
Accor
Hyatt