Comprising three Georgian townhouses, The Chesterfield Mayfair in London’s upmarket Mayfair district is the true embodiment of a quintessentially British hotel.
Hotel
The four-star Regency style hotel boasts traditional décor and that classic charm you would expect from such an establishment. Expect to be greeted with a grand chandelier, wood panelling, pillars, Chesterfield furniture and a shining monochrome floor on your entrance to The Chesterfield, while a walk around the interior will provide you with snapshots of the past in many forms. Oversized antique furniture, chandeliers, dark woods and paintings of pretty much every style you can think of.
One might describe the style as reassuringly old fashioned with a sense of being transported to a countryside retreat – if it weren’t for the central London location, of course. Speaking of which, the location really is something to celebrate. Tucked neatly in the heart of Mayfair but a simple five-minute walk to the glorious green spaces of both Hyde Park and Green Park, you couldn’t hope for a better spot to be spending your time, especially if the award-winning restaurants and bars of the locale are calling.
And guests will never be short of something to do with events such as gin and jazz evenings, whiskey tasting, beer and cheese tasting experiences and local tours to discover. One of the stand-out features of the hotel is the sweet shop and also the range of fantastically themed afternoon teas guests can indulge in – perfect for injecting some traditional and fun into your stay.
Room
The Chesterfield Mayfair is part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection and comprises 94 rooms and 16 suites in which to reside. My room held a bold and distinctive style, retaining classic features such as fabric walls, heavy patterned curtains and a decorative carpet – all in a matching pattern. A little heavy on the pattern, but alongside the ornate furniture and gold edged mirrors, it’s a style reminds you that you are in a place of history.
As the hotel describes: “We flood every guest room with creativity and comfort, and each has its own style and personality, filled with beautiful artworks and antiques personally chosen by our founder Bea Tollman, and her daughter Toni. Sumptuous fabric-covered walls, colourful prints and personal touches such as fresh-cut bouquets of flowers add a surprising and uniquely welcoming feel that delights guests.”
And, much like the rest of the hotel, welcoming it is. Two fabric armchairs are ready for you to recline, a bathroom and separate shower room provide the conveniences you need, a large antique wood writing desk begs you to put pen to paper, and for those gusts in need of some modern conveniences, a large flat-screen television, 24-hour room service and free Wi-Fi are to be found as well.
Food
You’re in Mayfair, arguably the hub of fine dining in the capital, so expect some delightful dishes, all coordinated by executive chef Nathan Hindmarsh and team. Showcasing creative cuisine using seasonal, organic British ingredients, Butlers Restaurant – famed for its Dover sole filleted at the table – is the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, while The Terrace Bar and The Conservatory provide popular places to enjoy a tipple a light bite.
Covid-19 measures were in place during my December stay so I enjoyed dinner in The Conservatory, a light filled room boasting plenty of greenery, though in typical times, a pre drink at the bar would come highly recommended followed by a meal in the chandelier adorned restaurant.
Dinner consisted of three courses of exquisite, flavourful delights, while the excellent service from hotel personnel shone throughout. I started with the Orkney scallops with cox’s apple, celeriac, hazelnuts and tarragon (£21) and was blown away by the quality of the scallops as well as the accompanying elements. Gentle, refreshing, crunchy and creamy, I’ve yet to find an accompaniment that scallops don’t work with. Delicious.
Next up and though the famed Dover sole (with wilted spinach and hollandaise) had me intrigued, the wellington of Yorkshire venison (£40) had me at first glance. Served with roast butternut squash, celeriac remoulade and blackberry sauce, this dish was a delight for the senses. The show-stopping wellington highlighted great quality meat and culinary skills and the accompanying elements elevated the dish to another level.
Though I’m known for my fondness of a cheeseboard, the sticky toffee pudding (£10) spoke to me on the day I visited, and I was glad I listened. Served with a butterscotch sauce, vanilla ice cream and sticky dates, this popular dessert provided me with the sumptuous sweetness that I needed. Other tasty looking options on the menu included blackberry pavlova and Valrhona chocolate with praline, hazelnuts and cognac ice cream.
Wellness
Benefitting from three local parks is certainly a highlight if you’re looking to blend a busy city break with relaxing moments in between, and those seeking serenity will be pleased to know that spa treatments can be booked with qualified masseuse and beauty therapists to take place within your room or suite. Guests can also take up a complimentary pass to a nearby Fitness First gym or borrow a yoga mat and DVD from concierge to take an in-room yoga session.
In a nutshell
With a very unique personality, The Chesterfield Mayfair provides London luxury in a traditional setting. When we can freely travel again, London will be waiting once more to open its arms and provide its guests with the warm hospitality it has perfected over the centuries, I have to say that this centrally located delight more than deserves a visit.
Factbox
Address: 35 Charles St, Mayfair, London W1J 5EB
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7958 7729
Email: bookch@rchmail.com
Website: chesterfieldmayfair.com
Al imagery used in this article credit: The Chesterfield Mayfair
