Recently, I came across an Instagram ad for Mason & Fifth’s August offer: £100 per night at their Primrose Hill and Bermondsey locations. Given how expensive hotel stays in London can be, £100 per night is an absolute bargain, so I quickly booked a stay and treated myself to a relaxing city staycation without leaving London.
Background & Concept
Mason & Fifth is a boutique guesthouse with two locations in London—Bermondsey and Primrose Hill. Their website describes them as offering “home-from-home comforts” for guests wanting to experience life like a local, whether for a few days, weeks, or even months. The Bermondsey location, set in a former Edwardian factory, features 28 private studios. The Primrose Hill location, where I stayed, is a restored heritage home with 61 studios—more than I expected! Both properties include a guest living room, home cinema, communal kitchen, and private garden.
Location
I stayed at Mason & Fifth Primrose Hill, conveniently located near Primrose Hill and Regent’s Canal. The nearest tube stations are Camden Town and Chalk Farm; I walked from Camden Town station, which took about 12 minutes. There’s also a bus stop right in front of the guesthouse, with the 274 bus taking you to Camden Town, Angel, and Islington.
Entrance & Check-in
Mason & Fifth has a private home feel. To check in, I pressed the ‘concierge’ button at the entrance, mentioned that I was checking in, and the door was promptly opened. A staff member greeted me, asked for my name over the phone, and then escorted me directly to my studio. There’s no traditional lobby, but the entrance offers water and fruit for guests to help themselves.
My Studio – Classic Plus
After checking the available studio types, I booked the ‘Classic Plus’ for my stay.
Mason & Fifth Primrose Hill offers six studio types (2024 prices):
- Out & About (£100 p/n)
- Classic (£150 p/n)
- Classic Plus (£160 p/n)
- Mezzanine (£165 p/n)
- Mezzanine Plus (£170 p/n)
- Best in House (£180 p/n)
Since the website had limited photos and I couldn’t find many online reviews with room pictures, I was a bit concerned about the actual size and quality of the rooms. However, when I first stepped into my studio, I was pleasantly surprised—it’s adorable! The space is larger than I anticipated, featuring a double bed, a fitted kitchenette, a TV, and a cosy dining area. I loved the two large windows, which let in plenty of natural light. The design and décor are charming, with books and decorations thoughtfully placed throughout the room (often, these are just for show in photos, but they were actually there!). My studio faced St Mark’s Church, adding to the comfortable and serene atmosphere.
Fitted Kitchen
The kitchen is well-equipped with everything you’d need for cooking. There’s an electric hob, microwave, refrigerator, kettle, and toaster. It also includes a Nespresso machine with plenty of Caravan coffee pods, both regular and decaf. The tea selection is impressive, featuring bags from Canton Tea with 4-5 different options, including Green Tea, English Breakfast, and Hibiscus. I was pleasantly surprised to find cooking essentials like oil, salt, and pepper—something many studio-type hotels or aparthotels often overlook, making it especially convenient for short-stay travellers. Another thoughtful touch was the small bottle of Oatly oat milk and a chocolate bar in the fridge—such a lovely detail!
Although I didn’t use the kitchen during my one-night stay, I appreciated its setup. The chopping board was cute but a bit small if you’re planning to do serious cooking. It’s worth noting that there’s no freezer, so you can’t store ice cream or make ice in your room, although you can request ice from the communal kitchen.
Other Features
Even though the building is a heritage property, it’s been fully renovated inside, with plenty of sockets, including USB ports, which is quite convenient. The only downside was that there wasn’t a socket near the bed—there was one, but it was located at the foot of the bed.
The bathroom was compact but reasonably sized, and I was pleasantly surprised by the amenities. They provided body wash, shampoo, and conditioner—something you don’t always get, and the quality was good. There’s a hairdryer in the closet, but no iron or ironing board in the room.
The TV is a Sharp model, and you can log in to watch Netflix and YouTube.
One thing to note is that the room isn’t equipped with air conditioning. The weather was pleasant during my stay, so it was comfortable, but I wonder how it would be during a heatwave.
Communal Spaces
The shared living room is on the lower ground floor, where you’ll also find the communal kitchen, garden, laundry room, and a small home cinema. Every morning between 8 am and 10 am, there’s a self-serve breakfast featuring sourdough bread, jams, butter, yogurt, granola, fruits, juice, and coffee. It’s quite a nice selection, especially considering it’s complimentary.
I found the communal space to be stylish and peaceful—perfect for co-working.
In the garden, there’s a yoga pavilion, and they seem to host weekly wellness events, so if you’re lucky, you might catch one during your stay.
They also offered a signature cooler, the ‘Mason & Spritz,’ every Friday from 5 pm in the guest kitchen. You can help yourself to this refreshing drink, which was a lovely touch.
The laundry room is equipped with washers and dryers, and they even provide laundry pods—very thoughtful!
There’s also a WC on this floor, and I noticed they provide pantry towels, which is another considerate detail. These little touches really enhance the overall experience.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Mason & Fifth exceeded my expectations! It was wonderful to relax in my cosy studio, with a peaceful view of the trees and church from my window. I especially loved the free events and little extras—they really made it feel like a home away from home.
If you’re visiting London for the first time, this is a great accommodation option, especially since it includes a kitchen, which can help you save money by cooking for yourself. While it’s not very close to the tube station (about a 12-minute walk), there are plenty of restaurants, small eateries, and grocery stores (Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Whole Foods, and Longdan) near Camden. The nightlife in Camden is also vibrant, with plenty of gigs and events, like those at the Jazz Café near Camden Town Tube Station. Plus, it’s close to Primrose Hill, a great green space where you can enjoy a picnic like a true Londoner.
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and wished I could have stayed longer! I hope this review gives you more insight into Mason & Fifth, as there aren’t many reviews or pictures online for reference.
I’ve also made a vlog on my YouTube channel:
Mason & Fifth
Website : mason-fifth.com
