Located in one of London’s trendiest neighborhoods, The May Fair Hotel combines classic design with traditional hospitality and a delicious restaurant featuring tasty Italian and Spanish tapas
Mayfair is a sophisticated and stylish central London neighborhood famous for its shopping scene. So needless to say, if you love shopping — you’re going to have fun here! Now The May Fair Hotel itself, is located right in the center of it all, within walking distance to Buckingham Palace, Picadilly Circus and so much more. Since we arrived just before the winter holidays, festive decorations were already up, making the place feel like magic. Mayfair is already stunning, but the seasonal spirit brought even more flair and sparkle. This is also a neighborhood where the windows of the shops are beautifully decorated, and it just puts you in the spirit :)
The May Fair Hotel prides itself on being ‘a hotel like no other. The hotel is steeped in a rich past whose presence is still felt till today. Previously a grand family mansion in London’s aristocratic neighborhood, The May Fair Hotel swung open its doors to London society’s young and affluent in 1927. In the 1950s, Hollywood magnates – the Danziger brothers revamped the hotel and added a movie theatre and an event space called The Crystal Room, both of which are a part of The May Fair to this day. The hotel was again remodelled in 2004; swapping the ancient with a modern rhapsody of glass, leather, marble, and gold leaf, albeit while maintaining its air of dignified elegance.
Perhaps because of its Hollywood connection The May Fair is still a favorite among celebrities like Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Ronan Keating. It is also the official hotel for The British Film Institute and London Fashion week, making it the go to hotel for lavish product launches, fashion previews, and film premieres.
We stayed in a studio suite that had quietly understated décor and an open plan lounge. This room was perfect for the three of us because Axel had his own crib and we had a large closet area and large marble bathroom! There’s a variety of other rooms and suites to choose from including those accessible for wheelchair users and hearing impaired guests as well as the glamorous penthouse suite that offers spectacular views of the London skyline from its balconies.
When we booked our room, we were offered the family package, which was great for Axel. Axel had a tent in his own little play area – such a fun thing for our little one! They had a teddy bear waiting for him in the room when we arrived, along with a beautifully illustrated children’s book for some nighttime reading. They also delivered fresh cookies and milk…which turned out to be more of an indulgence for us than for our son :)
The hotel offered four main dining/drinking options – May Fair Kitchen, May Fair Bar, May Fair Terrace, and an Afternoon Tea. We are big believers in a grand buffet, so every day began at the May Fair Kitchen breakfast buffet. The granola was great and the traditional English breakfast fare was filling and delicious. Axel was also pretty satisfied with the mashed avocado we requested daily!
May Fair Kitchen is the hotel’s flagship restaurant, bringing Mediterranean specialties to the heart of London. They offer a mix of Italian and Spanish tapas, so if you are into tapas then this sophisticated restaurant with its unassuming ambience and efficient service is a must!. Where else can you get chorizo alongside fresh gnocchi?!
“The mix of Spanish and Italian dishes were delicious, the space was hip and trendy, and the wine list was impressive. Everything was served beautifully and the staff was professional and friendly. ”
The May Fair Hotel offers the rare combination of being indulgent enough for a couples getaway and accommodating for families with kids. The family package was a lot of fun for Axel and gave him an imaginative space to play in. And it made us happy to watch him enjoying himself.
For couples tired of splurging money in the shopping district, book yourselves into the hotel’s spa and feel your stress (and guilt) melt away. Too tired to walk to the spa? They also offer in-room spa treatments! Thinking of mixing business with pleasure? You can avail the hotel’s 200-seat movie theatre to impress clients with a stunning presentation and sound effects or book the meeting rooms for a more low-key affair. Or simply unwind at the end of a long day with your favorite drink on their outdoor terrace.
As we walked through the centrally-located area, the old London buildings and parks whisked us back to a different era, yet the modern shopping scene brought us right back to the here and now. From high-end shops like Gucci and Louis Vuitton to more affordable stores such as H&M and Forever 21, there was no shortage of “retail therapy” to get us in a good mood, or me at least.
Although shopping is the main crowd-puller, the neighborhood also boasts plenty of cafes, and pubs. You couldn’t walk more than a few feet before another pub popped up. We were traveling with Axel who was 10 months at the time, and even he had a blast at the pubs! We would pull up to a booth, grab his toys, beers for us and just relax in the old ambiance and charm of the pubs! We were visiting right at the beginning of the holiday season, so decorations were everywhere and just walking around the area put us in a festive mood. The parks and rows of great old buildings only added to the charm.
Mayfair is definitely the area to be in, if you are looking to shop! But it is also conveniently located for other pursuits. For example, the hotel is only a 10 min walk to Piccadilly Circus - the gateway to London’s fabulous art museums, operas, and…wait for it…more shopping! Honestly, Piccadilly Circus is to London what Times Square is to New York. If you decide to head in the opposite direction, as we often did, Hyde Park is right down the street with Buckingham Palace across it.
Whether it is the remnants of its rich history, its modern culinary experience, or the easy access it provides to the heart of bustling London, The May Fair Hotel has something for everyone.
For more information about this hotel please click the link below: