Every so often, you stumble across a hotel that just feels right. And that, to me, is 1 Hotel Mayfair. The eco-luxury brand opened their London property in 2023, and all the little touches feel considered – think handwritten notes at turndown, plants at every turn and yoga mats in each room (along with the comfiest bathrobe of all time). This is a place where pared-back luxury meets sustainability, but done so seamlessly you don’t even realise you’re being green.
Why stay at 1 Hotel Mayfair?
Walking into this hotel feels like walking into a forest. Step inside (the doors held open by bellhops in flat caps and leather trainers) and you’ll be standing under a gigantic dome of dripping moss, by a slatted stone feature with ivy creeping between the gaps. There are plants absolutely everywhere – they somehow keep 1,300 of them alive in the hotel, a feat I cannot fathom – along with loads of natural stone, warm wood and a reception desk made from a 200-year-old oak tree trunk, which fell in Sussex.
The air inside even smells better, thanks to their signature scent, a heady yet subtle mix of eucalyptus and cedar – I bought the candle in their West Hollywood hotel, and I guard that wick like Gollum. Go beyond the lobby, and you’ll find sumptuously stylish rooms, a killer restaurant and a cocktail bar you’ll want to cosy up in for hours. What else could you need?
What are the rooms like at 1 Hotel Mayfair?
The 181 rooms have a pared back version of the overall aesthetic – think plants by the bedside (and succulents on a ledge outside each door), a living moss wall and plenty of muted, calming colours. I stayed in a lounge king room, which was on the smaller side but with a big sectional sofa by the window, with loads of squishy linen cushions. Throughout the room, there were plenty of natural textures, with muted fabrics on the bed, floorboards sourced from fallen trees and woven rope on the lightshades – to me, it felt like a bedroom you’d find in a Nancy Meyers movie (which is a compliment of the highest order). And if you could ever find the cash for an upgrade, the suites are out of this world, some with private terraces, complimentary minibars and dedicated butler service.
There’s a yoga mat in every room, along with a foam roller and the best hotel bathrobe of all time, a soft grey jersey fabric that feels like your favourite old sweatshirt. The minibar is temptingly bougie, with Athletic Greens, Daylesford yuzu margaritas and a couples seduction kit. I loved the in-room filtered tap, with green tumblers and a water carafe, and the smooth pebble engraved with ‘not now’ to leave outside if you don’t want housekeeping (I was tempted to steal it for everyday use).
A moment for the turndown service, too – I feel like this amenity is rapidly disappearing in hotels, but here it was above and beyond. I take pride in leaving a hotel room neat and tidy, but my housekeeper expertly wrapped cables on my charger and curling iron, rearranged my toiletries in a more pleasing order and left a good night message in the chalkboard on the bedstand. They even left the carafe directly under the tap, so I could fill my water before bed.
Which is the food like at 1 Hotel Mayfair?
The main restaurant, Dovetale, is led by Tom Sellers, whose London Restaurant Story has two Michelin stars. And it’s every bit as good as you’d hope, with a menu that balances the sustainable ethos of the hotel with his own style of nostalgic cooking, with nods from chefs he’s worked with, like Thomas Keller and René Redzepi of Noma. Think a carpaccio of English Wagyu, served with hot mini chips that you wrap the beef around to melt the marbling. Or a blushing cutlet of lamb with chilled whipped yoghurt and sumac, with Jersey royals slathered in bright green wild garlic butter on the side. Oh, and the bread is exceptional – it tastes just like the warm baguette you’d pick up in a French boulangerie, with butter so soft it’s practically melting (fridge cold butter is a bugbear of mine). Sadly, I was too full to delve into the DIY sundae bar, where you tick off various gelatos, sorbets and accoutrements from a list, before it’s served tableside from a vintage trolley.
Their cocktail bar Dover Yard is right next door and suitably plush, with comfy couches, chunky tree trunk tables and faux fur throws – they also make the best spicy margarita that I’ve had in years. For sunnier days, the terrace is a great spot just off Dovetale, which feels like a Hamptons beach bar – there are nautical prints on the textured wooden wall, an open fireplace and low slung, mid-century armchairs. You can also have breakfast there, which is exceptional, if pricey – as everything is served a la carte, those side dishes add up. But my pancakes were pleasingly symmetrical and fluffy, the bacon perfectly crispy and there are cold pressed juices from Daily Dose on the menu.
What is the service like at 1 Hotel Mayfair?
As someone who’s allergic to an overly formal tone of service (call me ma’am and I’m running for the door), I was pleased that the staff, particularly in the restaurant and bar spaces, were jolly and uber friendly. My waitress at breakfast was a joy, complimenting my choices, chatting away and making excellent food suggestions. Things were slightly more formal at the front desk, but there’s also nothing worse than someone who keeps chatting when you just want to check in and get to your room.
What are the facilities like at 1 Hotel Mayfair?
There’s a fully kitted out gym, with snazzy Technogym equipment, free weights and a yoga area, and there’s a free run club every Wednesday morning. They also run the occasional class, like barre, guided meditation or a sound bath – you can read about everything that’s on offer on a chalkboard in the lobby, which gives this city hotel a nice country resort/summer camp feel. There’s also a Lobby Farmstand with pieces of fruit you can grab before heading out the door.
The Bamford Wellness Spa is next to the gym, with products and therapies from the holistic brand, but there’s no sauna, steam or hot tub, which I would personally expect from a hotel of this calibre.
What’s the area like around 1 Hotel Mayfair?
Unless you’re super rich or an enthusiastic window shopper, Mayfair isn’t too exciting. But beyond the designer stores and glut of fancy watch shops, there are little pockets of loveliness, the most obvious being Green Park, which is a two-minute walk away. You can also have a browse in Fortnum and Mason, or potter through the Burlington Arcade, where you can get a vintage Rolex, design your own bespoke lipstick and gaze at the Manolos, before reaching the Royal Academy of Arts at the other end.
Why you should you book a stay at 1 Hotel Mayfair
Sure, all this effervescent luxury comes with a price tag. But that’s the only reason I could come up with to not book a stay here (and FYI, the last-minute deals are often excellent). If you’re after a luxurious break without any hint of pretension or snootiness, this is the one to choose.
DETAILS
Address: 3 Berkeley St, London
Price per night: starting from £500 per night
Closest transport: Green Park tube is a two-minute walk away
Book now: Via Booking.com