Mandarin Oriental Mayfair London review
The But But that’s kind of the point.
Although its brick- and metal-clad exterior is quite contemporary compared to the other buildings surrounding bucolic Hanover Square (this is Mayfair’s first new-build hotel in a decade), it blends into its elegant surroundings like the posh pied-a-terre it is meant to be.
Opened in June 2024 with just 50 rooms and suites plus 77 adjacent residences, the property is among the smallest in the luxury hotel group’s portfolio. It’s certainly more diminutive than its beloved sister property at the intersection of Hyde Park and Knightsbridge, and much less of an overt see-and-be-seen scene … which means you’re actually more likely to spot an incognito celebrity or two trying to kick back, perhaps in the moodily lit underground spa or at the top-floor ABar Rooftop overlooking the city.
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But whatever brings you here, you are sure to feel at home — that is, if your home also has a floating spiral staircase made from rare green Ming marble and a profusion of gorgeous flower arrangements — the moment you cross the threshold, thanks to staff who will know you by name upon arrival.
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Here’s what it’s like staying at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London and everything you should see, do, eat and drink on your next visit.
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London location
When you’re staying at a Mandarin Oriental, you know the neighborhood will be tony. There The T That means you can zip out to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) in a mere 45 minutes without changing lines — and at a cost of under $20.
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Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London booking details
While you can’t use points from one of the major hotel loyalty programs to stay at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London, the hotel is part of Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, so those with
The Platinum Card(r) from American Express
or
The Business Platinum Card(r) from American Express
who make a booking through AmexTravel.com can enjoy benefits like complimentary daily breakfast for two, room upgrades based on availability, a $100 on-property credit to use during their stay and guaranteed late checkout.
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUYRates at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London start at $1,030 per night for a standard category Deluxe Room, while the Deluxe Suite accommodation I stayed in starts at $1,725 per night.Standout features of the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, LondonERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUYWith just 50 rooms, the hotel feels intimate and exclusive.
The location alone is a reason to book, with some of London’s best shopping at your doorstep.
Celebrity chef Akira Back will make sure you’re well-fed while staying here.
The spa feels like a refuge from the hectic city streets and is one of London’s most unique wellness spaces.
Drawbacks of the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
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- Due to construction, prepare to spend time in traffic if arriving or departing by car.
- You won’t have skyline views from the regular guest rooms.
- There’s just one main restaurant, though you can get bites at either of the bars, too.
The vibe at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
You won’t find an imposing historical edifice, tailcoated bellmen or dusty chandeliers here. The You But you might spot a famous face or two having drinks at ABar or dinner at Akira Back as well.
- ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
- Rooms at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
- Although many hotels claim to have “residential-inspired” accommodations, my 549-square-foot Deluxe Suite actually felt that way thanks to its unique layout.
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It had a sort of railroad apartment-style configuration folded in upon itself with each room leading into the next, all framed by floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the surrounding buildings.
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Stepping through the entry foyer, the first space I came to was the living room, its walls adorned in ornate, hand-painted de Gournay silk wallpaper with chinoiserie floral designs in turquoise inspired by Hanover Square’s magnolia trees — a visually alluring nod to the hotel’s distinctive locale.
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The room — whose palette was a mix of silver, platinum and gold — was anchored by a small sectional and ottoman piled high with art books, several curvaceous armchairs and a table that doubled as my work desk during my stay, over which hung a flat-screen television.
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There was also a beautiful mirrored minibar stocked with a Nespresso machine and an electric kettle, plus complimentary treats including a bottled cocktail from Akira Black.
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Ducking through the far doorway, the bedroom held a king-size bed dressed in immaculate white sheets with silver piping and framed by a top-lit overhang as well as rectangular brushed-brass hanging lights to one side.
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Set between the two corner windows, a wood-topped Art Deco-style vanity was the ideal place to primp, thanks to natural lighting and Dyson hair styling apparatuses.
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Past a wall of closets, the bathroom was tiled in a panoply of cream- and brown-hued, deep-veined marbles.
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At the far end, past the dual-sink vanity, was a soaking bath provisioned with Natura Bisse products. The window next to it looked into the entry foyer but could be fogged up for privacy with the touch of a button.
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Next to that was a water closet with a Toto toilet and a separate walk-in shower with more Natura Bisse amenities along with overhead and handheld shower heads.
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Overall, the room felt bright and breezy but also like a private, comfort-filled cocoon after a day out in the city.
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Food and drink at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
The hotel’s main restaurant comes courtesy of South Korea-born, Colorado-raised celebrity chef Akira Back and sits at the heart of the hotel, one level below the street and accessible by elevator or a dramatic glass-framed spiral staircase.
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The atrium-like space is illuminated by enormous skylights and has dramatic artistic installations including a swirling wooden sculpture affixed to the wall and paintings by the chef’s own mother (you might also pick out her designs on some of the plates).
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Breakfast is a leisurely affair as guests peruse the morning newspapers over dishes like avocado toast with artichoke pesto, confit tomato, pepper and seed tabbouleh with poached eggs ($24); a breakfast bento with salmon teriyaki, glazed mushrooms, spinach salad, onigiri, egg castella cake, miso soup and fruit ($48); and the specialty gianduja croffle with hazelnut ganache and vanilla Chantilly cream ($28).
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The lunch crowd seems to attract a mix of socialites, power brokers and young creatives who come to munch on the signature half-and-half pizza of tuna with umami aioli, shiso, truffle oil on one side and trumpet mushrooms and truffles on the other, all over an ultrathin wafer crust ($33).
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Other specialties include a melange of Western, Korean and Japanese fusion dishes such as wagyu bulgogi tacos with roasted tomato ponzu ($23), Jeju domi sea bream with tobiko (flying fish roe) and savory-sweet chojang paste ($28), native lobster dynamite ($58), juicy Jidori chicken with potato puree and savory teriyaki sauce ($35) and rolls like the Cow Wow with marinated bulgogi and coleslaw ($28) and the Hot Mess with sashimi poke, crab tempura and spicy ponzu aioli ($28).
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Be sure to query sommelier Andres Ituarte about a creative pairing or two from the globe-spanning wine list he’s curated including vintages from China and a certain bottle made in Sweden from grapes grown in Iran.
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Leave room for sumptuous desserts like Chocolate in a Cup with spongecake, banana foam and vanilla bean ice cream ($21.50).
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At night, you’ll find a DJ spinning in the corner of the adjacent ABar Lounge, which serves Korean-inspired cocktails like a spirit-forward Makgeolli Colada with Hwayo soju, makgeolli rice wine, pistachio orgeat, strawberry and coconut ($26.50); the playfully named Javapolitan with Fair Organic quinoa vodka, Cointreau, clarified cranberry, lime, Indian spices and purply butterfly pea tea ($24); and the nutty Peanutful with Suntory Toki whiskey, peanut butter oils, XO syrup, soy sauce and umami bitters with a chocolate truffle topper ($28).
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The savory sweetness of the latter pairs well with the couple of bar bites I ordered including piping-hot Korean fried chicken with gochujang red pepper paste ($19) and silky smoked salmon tostadas ($18).
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Open Tuesdays through Saturday evenings and tucked away down a short corridor between Akira Back and ABar Lounge, Dosa is an intimate affair, with a single seating per night (at 7 p.m. sharp!) Executive For We The The The cocktail menu was created by barman Paolo Silvestri and inspired by the seasons.
Amenities and service at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
Two levels below the street, guests will find a serene subterranean sanctuary complete with a gym, indoor pool and spa.
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Bring your bathing suit because you won’t want to skip a dip in the 25-meter pool, which has different dark and light sections and is ingeniously lit with reflective surfaces so it feels like you’re floating amongst the stars. The The The The hotel is also a short walk from the Royal Academy of Arts if you’re looking for culture, or the hopping cafes and bars of Soho if you want to experience some lively local life.
Accessibility at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
Thanks to the fact that this is a new-build hotel, you will find all the up-to-date accessibility features you would expect, including zero-step entry from the street and wheelchair-accessible elevators with chair-height buttons to access each level. With the use of a hoist, spa attendants can help guests who need assistance entering the pool.
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Various adapted room types include amenities such as wheelchair-accessible bathrooms with toilet and shower grab bars and lowered counters and sinks, accessible light switches, and visible doorbell notifications and fire alarms. As always, call the hotel directly to ensure you can book a room that meets your specific requirements.
Checking out
Luxury hotels in London range from the historic and grandiose to the tiny and tucked away. The new Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London skews more toward the latter, with just 50 rooms in a slender tower overlooking one of Mayfair’s oldest squares.
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Though small in size, thanks to its unparalleled location and show-stopping amenities — including its gorgeous spa and Akira Back’s complex of dining and drinking establishments — the hotel has already experienced a launch that would make even the most ambitious London debutante jealous.
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