You know what? I’ve walked past The May Fair countless times on my way through Mayfair, and honestly, I always thought it looked a bit understated for such a posh neighborhood. Well, I was completely wrong about that – this place is actually one of those hidden gems that doesn’t need to shout about how fancy it is.
The moment you step off Stratton Street (which, by the way, is perfectly positioned between Berkeley Square and Bond Street – you’re literally in the heart of everything), you realize this isn’t your typical stuffy London hotel. The lobby has this sort of modern Art Deco vibe going on, all rich colors and interesting lighting that somehow manages to feel both sophisticated and welcoming. I mean, you’re still clearly in a five-star place, but there’s something refreshingly unpretentious about it. The check-in was smooth too – none of that awkward hovering around while they “prepare your room” nonsense.
What really got me was how they’ve managed to capture that exclusive Mayfair feeling without being intimidating about it. The rooms have this lovely warm color palette, and honestly, the beds are incredible – I’m talking about the kind of sleep where you wake up actually refreshed instead of groggily reaching for your phone. The bathrooms are properly spacious too, which you definitely can’t take for granted in London hotels. One thing I particularly appreciated was how quiet everything was, despite being right in the middle of one of the busiest areas in the city. You get all the energy of Mayfair just outside your door – I’m talking world-class shopping on Bond Street, some of the best restaurants in London within a five-minute walk, and easy access to both Oxford Circus and Green Park stations – but inside, it’s this perfect peaceful bubble.
The staff genuinely seem to know the area well, which makes such a difference when you’re trying to navigate London. They pointed me toward this brilliant little coffee spot on Brook Street that I never would have found otherwise, and when I mentioned I was looking for somewhere good for dinner, they didn’t just hand me a generic list – they actually asked what I was in the mood for and gave me proper recommendations based on that. That’s the kind of service that makes you want to come back, you know? Sure, it’s not the cheapest option in London, but for the location and the quality, it actually feels like decent value – especially when you consider you’re saving money on transport because you can walk to pretty much everything worth seeing in central London.