The May Fair Hotel - review

A reasonably priced hotspot just off Berkeley Square
1/12
Chloe Street1 April 2019

King George V first opened the grand doors of The May Fair Hotel in 1927 and since that day the property has developed strong ties with the film and fashion industries, and held an important place at the epicentre of London’s glossy nightlife scene.

Bought in 2004 by Edwardian Hotels London, who also own the capital’s ten Radisson Blu properties, today the hotel is a perfectly positioned pied à terre for those on a shopping weekend or those with business in Mayfair.

Location

As the name suggests, The May Fair Hotel enjoys an unrivalled location in one of the city’s glossiest enclaves. A stone’s throw from Berkeley Street’s famous restaurants and the boutiques of Bond Street. The Ritz, Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park are all in walking distance.

Style

Step into the large, shiny foyer of this bustling hotel and you’re greeted by an army of smiley, helpful staff helping guests with their shopping and showing children to the complimentary confectionery trolley.

Décor is an effusion of glass and leather, with plenty of marble and gold leaf. Soft furnishings are brightly coloured (think lots of red and swirly purple) and in some places could do with a refresh.

The hotel has, for several years now, been the official hotel partner of London Fashion Week and is therefore the venue for many a celebrity party.

To this end, there’s high security, private entrances and CCTV to ensure that everyone can stay and not be seen – unless of course, that’s exactly what they wish.

The May Fair Bar
Mayfair Hotel

Facilities

On the lower ground you’ll find the Eastern-inspired spa comprising five treatment rooms (including a couple’s room), a steam room, sauna, ice showers and a candlelit relaxation room with heated beds. Access to the spa facilities is £30 for hotel guests. Treatments, which are administered using ESPA products, can also be booked to your room. Adjoining the spa is a newly refurbished 24-hour gym.

There’s also an impressive 201-seater cinema, which regularly hosts film premieres, previews and launches, and 16 meeting and function spaces, the largest of which, the Crystal Room, can host up to 280 guests.

The May Fair Kitchen
Mayfair Hotel

Food & Drink

The hotel restaurant, the May Fair Kitchen, serves Italian and Spanish small plates (plus a few Mexican and Peruvian dishes) in a cool contemporary interior. The vibe is sparklier than the food, but overall the meal is enjoyable. This is also the venue for breakfast - a generously laden buffet with an accompanying a la carte menu of eggs (any style) and decadent waffles.

Once you’ve eaten dinner, stroll across the foyer into the May Fair Bar, where an impressive cocktail menu is accompanied by weekend DJ sets and a lively atmosphere. A buzzy hotspot perfect for people watching the Friday night party crowd, or those emerging from the adjoining Palm Beach Casino.

In honour of the V&A’s remarkable ‘Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams’ exhibition, the hotel has devised a bespoke range of Dior-inspired cocktails, each inspired by a different dress on display at the V&A. Cocktails are priced at £16 and The Dior Collection Flight of three cocktails at £45. Available until March 30.

The bedroom in the Garnet Suite
Mayfair Hotel

Rooms

The hotel has 404 bedrooms, including thirteen signature suites, all of which adhere to a distinct theme. The suites all have ipads and come with their own butlers. The rest of the rooms are generously sized (particularly given the hotel’s super central location) and decorated in a variety of bold themes.

The living area of the Garnet Suite, one of the property’s Junior Suites, was decorated in a cacophony of red velvet, zebra print and gold. The entirely separate bedroom was, mercifully, more sedate and the vast bed one of the most comfortable I’ve experienced in my life.

The vast, marble clad bathrooms have powerful showers and large, good quality toiletries bolted to the wall.

All rooms come equipped with USB chargers, good quality hairdryers, Nespresso machines and a kettle.

Prices

Double rooms from £275 in low season; and from £295 in high. Junior Suites from £555. Breakfast around £32.

The hotel is running a special Dior package until July 14 which includes two complimentary tickets to the V&A exhibition with weekend bookings. More info here

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