The Blurb
Mason & Fifth Westbourne Park officially opened on June 14th, and already feels like a staple addition to the waterside. It’s a polished but deeply personal stay—a true “home from home” for out-of-towners, creatives, and locals alike.
Tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac in Westbourne Park, Mason & Fifth’s newest outpost is discreetly located in a converted Taxi Driver’s headquarters. The space covers several buildings, with a distinctive style—one that blends Scandi chic with London grit and just a hint of Shoreditch cool.
The communal spaces balance mid-century charm with industrial flair: soaring ceilings, textured wood and curated vintage looks.
Up on the tenth floor, a terrace offers views across the city skyline. Officially, it closes at midnight, but the team is happy to keep things open for guests who linger. It’s not just for leisure—many were working from communal tables when we visited, coffee in hand. The communal kitchen itself has a homely, lived-in feeling—comfortably minimal, very Scandinavian.
Dine
The new restaurant by the waterside, Canal, the latest from the team behind Crispin & Bistro Freddie, is a notable launch in its own right. It’s effortlessly stylish: the dining room features an open kitchen and island bar framed by wine-laden walls, with glass shopfront walls that spill out onto a patio terrace beside the canal. A DJ plays jazz on Friday nights—a mellow set that gives off Breakfast at Tiffany’s energy.
Three weeks into its soft launch, Canal is already drawing in a trendy crowd, from west London locals to the occasional recognisable face. On arrival, we were greeted by Will—warm, welcoming, and refreshingly open – he chats to guests, pets their dogs, and all-in-all sets the tone for the personal hospitality that Canal offers.
The cocktails here are crafted beautifully. The Burnt Butter Old Fashioned is a perfectly muddled, nutty twist on the classic, while a citrus-forward Margarita—made with both lemon and lime—offers a refreshing lift on a hot, muggy evening. Though we stayed on cocktails for our visit, I think it’s important to note that the wine list here is extensive.
The food leans into Mediterranean influences. We start the meal with small plates — crispy crostini topped with mussels and a pop of tomato, and grilled peas with grated ricotta that arrive with a smoky aroma almost too good to eat.
For mains, I ordered the monkfish, which was buttery and meaty, served over caramelised tomatoes and capers, the dish shimmering with oils that keep it vibrant to the last bite. My guest orders a squid ink tagliolini, which comes with clams—adding a light meatiness to the rich, dark pasta.
For dessert, the kitchen team keeps it simple with two choices: a sorbet and a bold, bitter Tiramisu. We opted for the latter, which delivers an intense hit of dark chocolate and espresso. My dining partner was sold; I tend to go heavily on the cream, but remained impressed.
Though Canal hadn’t yet launched its breakfast offering when we visited, the lobby bar provided a classily presented spread: pristine granola and compote, fresh breads, coffee, and doughnuts.
The Grounding
Selfcare is a big part of the experience at Mason & Fifth, and at Westbourne Park, the Grounding Wellness area has it covered. From a studio hosting regular pilates and yoga classes to a spa and sauna, bathed in natural light from skylights that stretch down from the courtyard above.
The Grounding also offers a curated list of treatments, from relaxing massage to full-on Osteopathy! Bahar, a trained osteopath, delivered one of the best massages I’d had in years—he intuitively worked out deep-seated tension I didn’t realise I was carrying, the sort of massage where you can still feel it working its magic hours later.
Out & About
With Mason & Fifth’s goal to provide a home from home, it’s no surprise that every evening at 7:30pm, a film screening takes place in the hotel’s cosy cinema room. Reminiscent of the one in Soho House West Hollywood, the space is complete with sweet jars and sink-in seating. Upcoming films are listed on the Mason & Fifth app as well as (quite conveniently) in the lift.
The hotel’s amenities are as thoughtful as they are stylish. There’s a self-service kitchen and laundry (yes, complimentary)—which hosted a DJ for the launch, naturally—and a fully-equipped workspace at the front that feels more like a sleek private members’ club than a co-working space. Think meeting rooms, pod booths, and even studio hire for musicians and artists, complete with a music production suite and, I hear, plans for an on-site technician! To top it off, an art exhibition space situated opposite Canal showcases emerging artists, signifying the hotel’s connection to its neighbourhood.
Who goes there?
Young-ish London professionals who are partial to oat milk and superfoods, and who a few years ago might have hung out in Hackney Wick but are now seeking something more upmarket to go with their slightly more sophisticated lifestyles (i.e me). Also, the occasional A-list celebrity may be found at Canal (this actually happened whilst I was there).
The Details
Canal Restaurant bookings are here.
Book in at The Groundling here.
Mason & Fifth eooms start at £189 and vary by season.
Mason And Fifth, Woodfield Rd, London, W9 2BA
