When heading to the most upmarket part of London you will want to ensure that your abode for the night is brimming with charm, style and flawless service. While there are plenty of options to choose from in Mayfair, there is one five-star hotel that boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant, impeccable butler service and classic styling to ensure opulence at every turn, and that is The Westbury Mayfair. LLM – Luxury Lifestyle Magazine editor-in-chief Nick Gibbens checked in to find out more.
Hotel
One of the newer additions to Marriott’s Luxury Collection Hotel portfolio, this hotel is hard to beat on location. Surrounded by designer boutiques, discerning art galleries, trendy bars and more Michelin-starred eateries you can get your hands on, this is also ideal for those looking to reach the cultural hot spots of the city with ease. Soho, Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Street can be reached within ten minutes while Hyde Park, Green Park and St James’s Park are all easily accessible and provide that much-needed nature hit while in the city.
The hotel itself was built in 1955 and in 2017 received a multi-million-dollar makeover by Alex Kravetz Designs, a company that has updated the looks of many a swank Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton and Intercontinental offerings.
Styled from white Portland stone, dark marble and architectural brass detailing, notable and distinctive in character, The Westbury Mayfair’s classic styling permeates throughout the property, influenced by its proximity to the high-end world of design.
A large, traditional, Art Deco and marble-filled lobby greets guests and signifies that swanky nature that you would expect to see mirrored in the original New York City version. Royals and celebrities have graced the floors for decades and the glamorous ambience lets you know you’re somewhere special.
Service is impeccable, from fulfilling requests to the room within minutes to personal notes and unexpected extras like a bottle of red wine, their own branded box of fudges, and a £100 Jimmy Choo voucher on arrival to the room.
Room/suite
The redesign of the hotel added luxe touches, like Italian marble bathrooms and wood-panelled entrances to the 225 bedrooms – 63 of which are suites. My home for the evening was a superior suite, which was big on views (of Conduit and Bruton Street) and luxurious amenities with an enviable bathroom but somewhat lacking in style and character with an absence of art on the walls.
Simply styled with a touch of the classic décor, it is clear to see that The Westbury has managed to maintain its historic style, while embracing new, contemporary detailing. Large floor to ceiling windows generated plenty of natural light, the Italian marble bathroom was a plush addition with its rainfall shower and designer toiletries and the walk-in wardrobe was a great touch. A smartphone offering free national and international calls was also provided, while a large flat-screen TV, air conditioning and minibar made for welcome modern touches. The minibar is usually fully stocked but, due to Covid, had been removed, to be replaced if required, and this was the same with the tea and coffee making facilities.
Food and drink
For the finest wines, Champagnes and carefully crafted cocktails, only the Polo Bar will do. In fact, it was also the only option for dining during my visit as the Michelin-awarded AW Restaurant was temporarily closed (thanks to Covid) and the chic Japanese Restaurant, Tsukiji Sushi having permanently closed (before Covid).
However, the iconic Polo Bar remained, and this staple of the Mayfair cocktail scene was a fine place to head to for a bite to eat and top-quality tipple. With an impressive selection of drinks and endless bar snacks, I almost hesitated at the thought of a full meal, but I was glad I partook as the salmon starter, steak and chips and chocolate dessert I devoured were certainly worth it.
Scottish smoked salmon was served with sourdough bread, lemon and capers, and the simple, yet flavoursome, dish made for a decadent start to my meal. I followed this with the 250g rib eye steak, which had dry aged in Himalayan salt for a minimum of seven days to ensure maximum flavour. Served with fries, house mustard and the ever-delightful béarnaise sauce as well as a salad, this was a lovely plate of food with top-quality meat. A molten chocolate cake with a warm gooey centre, vanilla ice cream and fresh berries brought the meal to a close with a decadent flourish and I could barely move after such a rich and pleasurable three courses.
Attentive service makes you feel very at home and the option to dine from 7am to 10pm for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner makes for a casual feel in this elegantly designed space. I was back for breakfast the next morning and instead of my usual full English selection, I went a little smaller with the poached egg and avocado on sourdough after the previous night’s dinner.
When open, guests can indulge in the One Michelin star eatery that is AW Restaurant, where wood panelled walls, plush carpeting and comfy seating are order of the day. Surrounded by hundreds of bottles of wine, diners can enjoy seasonal British cuisine prepared to an impressive standard by head chef Charles Taylor. For those looking for an even more special experience, the Wine Salon, which seats 10 or the Aspen Room for up to 20 both make for a personal and unforgettable experience.
In a nutshell
Art Deco glamour meets Mayfair sophistication in this five-star central London hotel. Friendly staff realise that the little touches matter – an ethos which makes for a memorable stay for every traveller.
Factbox
Address: 37 Conduit St, Mayfair, London W1S 2YF
Phone: 020 7629 7755
Website: marriott.com/thewestburymayfair
