Often referred to as ‘London's crown jewel of luxury’, Mayfair has long been one of London’s most exclusive districts, known for its private members’ clubs, boutique shopping, and its position between Hyde Park and the West End. The neighbourhood is synonymous with prestige, and its hotels reflect that reputation. Five-star properties here are not simply places to stay; they are part of the area’s identity. From long-established institutions to discreet boutique addresses, Mayfair’s hotels continue to set the benchmark for luxury travel in London.
The Connaught
At the junction of Carlos Place and Mount Street, The Connaught has been part of Mayfair’s landscape since 1897. Originally the Coburg Hotel, it was renamed during the First World War in honour of the Duke of Connaught and has hosted figures such as Charles de Gaulle over the following decades. Following a major £70 million restoration in 2007, it today remains one of London’s most recognised five-star hotels. Upon arrival, the Tadao Ando water feature in the courtyard and Tom Stuart-Smith’s landscaped garden provide a calm space in the centre of Mayfair. Indoors, more than 3,000 works of art are displayed throughout the hotel, and some of its period features have been reinterpreted by designers such as Guy Oliver and the late David Collins.
Guest rooms and suites range from contemporary superior rooms to penthouses. Larger suites such as The Terrace Suite and The Apartment include separate living areas and large balconies overlooking Mayfair itself, and for extended stays or privacy, The Mews townhouse offers its own private entrance. Across all categories, the emphasis is on luxury with rooms offering 1909 Steinway grand pianos, butler service, Bang & Olufsen speakers, and Dyson supersonic hairdryers.
The Connaught is also home to London’s only Aman Spa, which offers a pool, steam facilities, and a range of treatments. Families are well-catered for with dedicated children’s amenities and services, whilst the concierge team provide everything from chauffeured transfers to personalised itineraries. For dining, Hé Darroze at The Connaught holds Michelin recognition, whilst Jean-Georges brings a more relaxed all-day option. The Connaught Grill focuses on British produce, and the Sommelier’s Table offers a private wine-led dining experience. The Connaught Bar, consistently ranked among the world’s best, sits alongside the Coburg Bar and an extensive whisky collection. For travellers seeking Mayfair luxury with substance and history, The Connaught remains one of London’s most prestigious addresses.
Claridge’s
Standing tall in the heart of Mayfair since 1856, Claridge’s hotel has evolved from William and Marianne Claridge’s townhouse enterprise into a Mayfair institution. The establishment is synonymous with Art Deco. During the interwar years, interiors were shaped by designers such as Basil Ionides, and today many original glass panels and decorative touches remain in the foyer, reading room and public spaces.
Rooms are spacious by London luxury standards. Suites come with 24-hour butler service, tailor-made experiences, Chromecast or IPTV with movies on demand, Claridge’s own bath products, and in-room Smeg coffee machines. For those who value outdoor space in central London, the Grand Terrace Suite offers a private terrace large enough for dining or relaxing above Brook Street. Inside, the suite includes a spacious sitting room, a bedroom with a king-size bed, and a marble bathroom.
Wellness and leisure are catered for at the Claridge’s Spa, a recent addition created after seven years of development under designer André Fe, offering treatments built on both restorative science and holistic rituals. Culinary offerings range from Claridge’s Restaurant serving British cuisine, to the traditional Afternoon Tea in The Foyer & Reading Room. The restaurant currently hosts Claridge’s X Dante, a collaboration bringing New York’s award-winning restaurant and downtown culture to Mayfair. Additional bars include the cocktail-focused Painter’s Room, the Fumoir, and Claridge’s also operates a wine cellar and occasionally offers private-dining experiences under its roof. With its combination of dining, spa, and striking suites, Claridge’s embodies what a five-star Mayfair hotel should be, maintaining its reputation across generations.
Brown’s Hotel
Opened in 1837, Brown’s Hotel occupies a set of townhouses on Albemarle Street and holds the distinction of being London’s first hotel. Over the years, it has welcomed writers, politicians, and royalty, and since 2003, it has formed part of the Rocco Forte Hotels group. A sensitive refurbishment has allowed the building to retain its historic character whilst updating it for today’s travellers. Period features are paired with contemporary artworks, and this duality is key to Brown’s reputation: a hotel from the 19th century that continues to feel relevant in the 21st.
The hotel’s 115 rooms and suites are individually styled under the direction of British hotelier and interior designer, Olga Polizzi. Standard rooms feature inviting open-plan sitting rooms, walk-in wardrobes and generous working areas. Suites offer views over the exclusive boutiques of Albemarle Street, floor-to-ceiling windows, bathtubs with built-in televisions, and pampering Irene Forte Skincare products. Sizes range from generous studios with interconnecting rooms to multi-bedroom residences, making the property adaptable for solo travellers, couples, or families.
Dining is a major part of the Brown’s experience. Charlie’s at Brown’s provides British dishes with European influences, and The Drawing Room serves breakfast and afternoon tea by day, and transforms into a lively evening space with live jazz on select nights. For cocktails, the Donovan Bar is decorated with Terence Donovan’s photography and known for its inventive mixology. Guests also have access to a spa and wellness area secluded underneath the hotel for treatments and relaxation. Brown’s Hotel’s history, design, and level of service place it firmly amongst Mayfair’s 5-star luxury hotels, offering an alternative to larger addresses in the neighbourhood.
Grosvenor House
JW Marriott’s Grosvenor House dominates the stretch along Hyde Park on Park Lane, and is often considered one of London’s flagship luxury hotels. The hotel opened in 1929 on the historic demolition site of the former London Mansion of the Dukes of Westminster. Over time, it has hosted high-profile events, charity balls, and become a focal point for London’s social calendar thanks to its Great Room ballroom.
The hotel offers around 494 rooms and 74 suites, combining classic styling, such as chandeliers, with modern amenities like double vanity marble bathrooms with rain shower features. At the top of the portfolio are the Royal Suites, which measure around 170 square metres. These suites include living and dining rooms, a study, walk-in wardrobes, and kitchens with full-size appliances. Guests booking Royal Suites receive lounge access, personalised welcome platters, and a higher level of service to match the scale of the accommodation.
Dining at Grosvenor House covers a spectrum of styles. Corrigan’s Mayfair brings British and Irish cuisine under the tenure of chef Richard Corrigan, whilst JW Steakhouse offers premium cuts with views towards Park Lane. Afternoon Tea is served in the Park Room, and bars such as the Bourbon Bar and Red Bar host cocktails and social gatherings. The hotel provides 24-hour room service, valet parking, laundry and dry-cleaning services, business centre facilities, and a dedicated events and banqueting team. Wellness and leisure offerings include a Quiet Room with mood lighting and yoga equipment as part of its “7 Days of Well-Being” programme. Known as much for its Great Room events as for its accommodation, Grosvenor House has secured its place as one of Mayfair’s memorable five-star hotels.
Flemings
Just steps from Buckingham Palace, Flemings Mayfair has been part of the neighbourhood since 1851. In response to the influx of visitors during the Great Exhibition, Robert Fleming converted his lodging house into what he called a “private hotel”. The property has a distinctive layout and comprises thirteen interconnected Georgian townhouses, with some dating back to the 18th century.
Flemings Mayfair has 129 rooms and suites, each individually designed with a nod to 1930s glamour. Across all categories of guestrooms, rainfall showers, underfloor heating, and Asprey bath products are standard. Beyond this, Flemings also provides a choice of larger apartments, including one- and two-bedroom suites, penthouses, a three-bedroom suite, and even a private townhouse. Some of these have roof terraces or garden access, providing seclusion whilst being moments from Piccadilly.
In recent years, the Ormer Mayfair fine-dining space at the hotel has earned a Michelin star and multiple accolades, and is led by Chef Sofian Msetfi. There is also Manetta’s Bar, nodding to the hotel’s literary connections with Agatha Christie’s fictional Bertram’s Hotel. Amenities include a private gym exclusively for guests with top-of-the-range techno-gym fitness equipment and state-of-the-art weight machines. In terms of status, Flemings sits in the small luxury tier. It is part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and is also in the Historic Hotels Worldwide collection. The combination of boutique scale, heritage architecture, and a Michelin-level restaurant underpins Flemings Mayfair’s premium positioning.
Each of these five-star hotels demonstrates a different expression of Mayfair’s hospitality. The Connaught with its art and Michelin dining, Claridge’s with its Art Deco heritage, Brown’s with its townhouse intimacy, Grosvenor House with its iconic grand events, and Flemings with its boutique character. Whether a guest values historic surroundings, modern amenities, or the intimacy of a smaller property, Mayfair offers a five-star option that matches the need. These hotels not only reflect the neighbourhood’s past, but also define what modern luxury looks like in the heart of the capital.
