 In November 2014 images of male and female models on construction site hoardings at the hotel were condemned by the Construction Industry Training Board and writer and journalist Jeanette Winterson as being stereotypical and sexist.In response Malmaison insisted that the images were meant to be a bit of fun with both men and women depicted to highlight their construction project.The Newcastle hotel is within the grade II-listed former Co-Operative Society warehouse building dating from 1900.