Save up to $1,322 on our trips! Limited spots. Book Now.

The Best Hotels to Book in Mayfair, London

Enjoy a taste of luxury at some of Mayfairs finest hotels – including The Connaught
Enjoy a taste of luxury at some of Mayfair's finest hotels – including The Connaught | Courtesy of The Connaught / Expedia

Mayfair is London’s ultimate luxury destination – home to the rich and famous. Whether you’re looking for classic luxury or something modern and sleek, here’s our pick of the best hotels in Mayfair.

Fringed by Hyde Park and Green Park, Mayfair is as bucolic as it is wealthy. Encompassing some of the city’s – nay, the world’s – most expensive real estate, it’s no surprise that there are several notable hotels nudged among the million-pound homes. From London landmark the Ritz to historic Claridge’s, choose one of the capital’s most famous spots to rest your head.

1 Hotel Mayfair

1 Hotel London Skyline Junior Suite (Image Credit_ Mikkel Vang)
Mikkel Vang

1 Hotel Mayfair, located on Berkeley Street overlooking Green Park, is London’s very first mission-driven sustainable luxury hotel, setting the standard for a new kind of luxury experience that positively impacts the planet. The UK brand flagship, 1 Hotel Mayfair is a nine-storey hotel, housing 181 guest rooms and 52 suites, Dovetale, by two Michelin-starred chef Tom Sellers, Dover Yard, a signature cocktail bar and lounge featuring a sustainable drinks programme, Neighbours, a lively daytime café and evening bar and a Bamford Wellness Spa.

Dukes Hotel London – for Martinis shaken, not stirred

Hotel

Exterior of Dukes Hotel London, a red-brick townhouse surrounded by black iron railings, and a union flag above the entrance
Courtesy of Dukes Hotel London / Expedia
It’s easy to imagine that this five-star hotel in Mayfair is where James Bond would stay while in town. Not only does its bar ‒ where Ian Fleming himself once drunk ‒ serve allegedly the best Martinis in the world, it also timelessly conveys Britishness in a slick and appealing package. From the Union Jack and the bowler-hatted doorman to the selection of pies at GBR (Great British Restaurant) and the Cigar and Cognac Garden, it’s a top spot for unabashed revelling in an undeniably British vision of luxury.

St James Hotel & Club Mayfair – for joining the club

Hotel

Bar area at St James’s Hotel and Club with sofas and armchairs in green, pink and grey, and marble tables
Courtesy of St James’s Hotel and Club / Expedia

Make like the gentlemen of yesteryear at this frightfully spiffy hotel in the middle of Mayfair. A former diplomat’s club, originally founded in 1857, St James found new life as a hotel in the 80s but still retains its air of exclusivity and prestige. Rooms are appropriately luxurious, while the knowledgeable concierge is on hand to make sure you have everything your heart could desire. Book one of the nine tables at its Michelin-starred Seven Park Place restaurant ‒ it’s the cherry on top of a truly scrumptious cake.

The May Fair – for bathing in style

Hotel

Roof terrace at The May Fair, with seating and olive trees, and views of the City in the distance
Courtesy of The May Fair / Expedia
The May Fair was opened by King George VI in 1927. Impressive from the outset, it has plenty of colour and a gorgeous terrace to make you feel like the queen of this castle. Enormous bathrooms are done out in Sicilian marble, offering a divine bathing experience. For those looking for a bit more space in the rest of the room, suites are bigger than average and some feature kitchenettes and home cinemas – dinner and a film, anyone?

The Connaught – for fine dining

Spa Hotel

Room with traditional decor at The Connaught, with framed art on the walls, a large bed with dark-wood headboard, and floral drapes
Courtesy of The Connaught / Expedia

The ultra-luxurious Connaught is renowned for its excellent service and sophisticated decor – but what else would you expect from a Mayfair establishment? Five minutes’ walk from Bond Street station, the location is hard to beat, but its style is what keeps it competing with London’s top hotels. Modern art mixes with gilded ceilings and marble floors, plus the place is home to a gastronomic empire. Hélène Darroze at the Connaught holds two Michelin stars, while Jean-Georges at the Connaught serves Far Eastern flavours made with farm-to-table produce. Should sightseeing overwhelm you, the Aman Spa here can revive you with a dip in its smart black-granite swimming pool.

COMO Metropolitan London – for Japanese cuisine

Spa Hotel, Luxury

Modern room with simple furnishings at COMO Metropolitan London, including a large bed with white bedding and an armchair
Courtesy of COMO Metropolitan London / Expedia

Como Metropolitan is a calming reprieve from the moment you step inside. Wellness is the focus here, with a multitude of treatments available at Como Shambhala, the hotel group’s impressive spa outpost, and a specified yoga channel available on your in-room TV. The Zen approach is everywhere, including the understated rooms with pops of colour and floor-to-ceiling windows offering uninterrupted views over Hyde Park. Permission is granted to indulge a little in the hotel restaurant – the famous Nobu, no less – and you’d be remiss to leave without trying the revered black cod with miso.

The Chesterfield Mayfair – for a hive of activity

Hotel

Grand reception area at The Chesterfield Mayfair, with leather seating, tiled floors and a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling
Courtesy of The Chesterfield Mayfair / Expedia
The quirky sweetshop-themed afternoon tea at the Chesterfield hints at what you can expect from the hotel itself. With an individual approach to classic British design, each room is different – some have Savile Row-pinstriped wallpaper, others are dressed head to toe in florals, a handful have Turkish carpets and sage-green walls. Sustainability is at the heart of the Chesterfield’s purpose, and the hotel takes active steps to respect this. The rooftop is home to more than 200,000 bees, helping replenish the UK’s population and providing honey for guests’ breakfasts – talk about hyper-local. Meanwhile, wine connoisseurs will revel in the hotel’s cellar, curated by the in-house sommelier.

Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane – for a Hyde Park pad

Hotel

Roof terrace at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, with seating, tables, plants and tiled floors
Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane / Expedia

The Four Seasons name may conjure up images of New York, but the Mayfair offering is a world away from the bright lights of NYC. Located on Park Lane overlooking Hyde Park, its location is ideal for the super-rich, meaning you can expect a whole lot of luxury. Rightly so, it’s designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, one of the world’s most celebrated hotel designers. Rooms are luxurious and modern, with art deco touches, mid-century furniture and geometric mirrors. Grab a nightcap at the opulent Amaranto bar, before slipping into your plush bed and feeling the rest of the world slip away.

The Dorchester Hotel – for lavish luxury

Hotel

The Harlequin Penthouse with luxe decor and floor-to-ceiling windows, opening to a large balcony at the Dorchester in London
Courtesy of the Dorchester / Expedia

There are only a handful of restaurants in the UK that hold three Michelin stars, and the Dorchester is the home to one of them. It’s a good indication of the luxury you can expect from a stay here. The hotel opened in the 1930s, and its original furniture has survived multiple renovations, striking a perfect balance between contemporary comfort and old-world glamour. The hotel concierge can help with almost anything you might want during your stay, from tables at in-demand restaurants to exclusive shopping trips. However, for an unmissable meal, look no further than Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester, for your three-Michelin-star gourmet experience.

The Ritz London – for an iconic stay

Suite Hotel, Chain Hotel, Spa Hotel, Hotel

The luxurious interiors with plush seating and chandeliers at the Ritz London
Courtesy of the Ritz London / Expedia

It really doesn’t get fancier than this. The Ritz is a London institution, famed for its lavish decor and delicious afternoon teas. Both are worth a visit, but it’s the atmosphere that will really captivate you. Always buzzing and the perfect spot for people-watching, a stay here will leave you feeling relaxed and pampered. As one of the world’s leading hotels, you can expect exceptional service and exquisite food – particularly at the Michelin-starred Ritz Restaurant, where you can enjoy a memorable evening dining on the modern British menu designed by chef John Williams MBE.

Flemings Mayfair – for living it up

Boutique Hotel

A room at Flemings Mayfair Hotel with floor-to-ceiling curtains, a velvet armchair, a statement light fixture and a double bed with an emerald headboard and brown faux fur blanket.
Courtesy of Flemings Mayfair / Hotels.com

At the cheaper end of the Mayfair scale (relatively), Flemings, spread across 13 classic townhouses, is big on guest experience. Sometimes simplicity is key. Here that means a timeless interior, excellent service and delicious food. With wood-panelled walls, jewel-toned velvet furnishings and a marble-clad lobby, stepping inside the gilded doors of Flemings certainly has a palatial air. Best of all, you can live like a royal without being completely out of pocket.

Brown's Hotel – for a stay in good company

Spa Hotel

Luxe traditional dining room with wood panelling, mouldings and plush seating at historic Browns Hotel in London
Courtesy of Brown's Hotel / Expedia

Brown’s is steeped in history. Founded in 1837, it has played host to such famous guests as Agatha Christie, Oscar Wilde, Theodore Roosevelt and Napoleon III. Its interiors are a masterclass in understated elegance, expertly combining muted colour palettes and individualised wallpapers, with bespoke paintings and artefacts that speak to its rich history. Avoid the Tube and make use of the hotel’s chauffeured Bentley Mulsanne, though you won’t need to venture far for one of the best meals in town. Charlie’s is perfect for a special dinner: serving modern British fare from Michelin-star chef Adam Byatt, it’s the perfect place to lap up the hotel’s impeccable service.

Claridge's – for a royal welcome

Spa Hotel, Hotel

Large chandelier, checkerboard-tiled floor, leather armchairs and colonnades by the arches in the ornate lobby of Claridges in London
Courtesy of Claridge's / Expedia
With a reputation for hosting royalty, Claridge’s is often nicknamed the “annex to Buckingham Palace”. Wainscot walls, cornice ceilings and a colour palette of calming pastels (think duck-egg blue and soft peach) make for palatial surroundings. Each room and suite are unique – some favouring mid-century furnishings and others focusing on gilded touches – but all live up to the hotel’s royal reputation with preserved Baroque features. Bon vivants will be spoilt for choice between a flute of vintage champagne in Claridge’s Bar (it has the best list in the city), and a meal at Davis and Brook, helmed by Daniel Humm, the eminent chef behind New York City’s Eleven Madison Park.

45 Park Lane – for art deco glam

Hotel

Grand reception area at 45 Park Lane, with tiled floors, leather seating, and large framed art on the walls
Courtesy of 45 Park Lane / Expedia
45 Park Lane is an art deco devotee’s dream. The Bauhaus-style building is filled with mahogany wood panelling, geometric motifs and art deco opulence in the way of plush velvet and polished furnishings. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better location in central London, overlooking Hyde Park and a quick carriage ride from Buckingham Palace. Wolfgang Puck’s Cut at 45 Park Lane is a must-visit during your stay with one of the largest selections of beef in the UK.

The Biltmore Mayfair – for cool nights in

Luxury

Premier Room at The Biltmore, with contemporary design and modern furnishings – including a large bed, a blue velvet sofa and a red velvet armchair
Courtesy of The Biltmore / Expedia

If the red-brick facade and imposing white columns of the Biltmore exterior don’t capture you, its interiors will. Rooms are resplendent, with panelled walls, parquet flooring and mirrored cherry-blossom motifs by the beds. Award-winning chefs Jason Atherton and Paul Walsh hold the reins at the Betterment, where you can order plates of seasonal produce with wood-fired meats. Enjoy a nightcap at the Pine Bar, where you can order cocktails and rare whisky from velvet armchairs. Located just off the shopping hub of Oxford Street, the Biltmore is in the thick of things, but tucked away enough to feel quiet.

The Athenaeum – for a film-lover's den

Bar, British

Seating area at The Athenaeum, with several tables and chairs, wooden flooring and large windows with views across the city
Courtesy of The Athenaeum / Expedia
The Athenaeum has had a characterful history, beginning as the private home for Henry Hope MP, going on to house the Junior Athenaeum Club, before finding new life as a five-star hotel. The rich and famous are drawn to its low-key luxury – Steven Spielberg set up an editing suite in one of the apartments while working on ET, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Perhaps it’s the discreet residences that draw them in – apartment-style rooms with California king-size beds and their own front doors along a row of red brick townhouses (plus, of course, access to all the hotel facilities). Galvin, run by Michelin-star brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin, is the place to dine while you’re here.

For other places to stay in the capital, discover the most famous hotels in London and book now on Culture Trip.

This article is an updated version of a story created by Abigail Malbon. Sarah Warwick contributed additional reporting to this article.

close-ad