The Mandeville Hotel

The Mandeville Hotel has serious kerb appeal, with its billowing Union Jack flags and multi-story red-brick façade, it’s grand and bold from the outset. Inside, there’s a surprisingly boutique-inspired feel, with antique floral armchairs sitting side by side with modern artwork and punchy red leather sofas. As of our early 2018 visit, the hotel had recently undergone renovations in several rooms, and these looked particularly sharp. The constant stream of guests coming and going adds to the bustling atmosphere and gregarious vibe. The Mandeville appeals mostly to stylish shoppers and sightseers, keen on making the most of the hotel’s location, though the restaurant and bar are also popular with locals. Check-in is an efficient affair, with most guests choosing to head straight out to the busy streets or into the Reform Social & Grill. This is an artsy and convivial property, which has widespread appeal due to its upbeat vibe. 

This hotel’s location is ideal for those who want to enjoy all the excitement of London’s top shopping district, without any of the hassle. It’s close enough to the action -- just a nine-minute walk to Oxford Street and even less to Bond Street -- yet feels removed from the noise of the area. Art fans are spoiled for choice, with the prestigious Wallace Collection only a two-minute walk away, and many of Mayfair’s great art galleries less than 10 minutes away on foot. In terms of dining out, the hotel has an impressive restaurant and bar, but there are plenty of alternative options nearby. Mayfair's high-profile dining venues are a short 10-minute drive away (or a 15-minute walk). Other popular destinations, such as London’s theater district, are farther away, but still accessible from Bond Street Tube station, which is five minutes from the hotel on foot. Heathrow is the closest airport. Expect a 40-minute drive, or around the same amount of time on the train (but a more complicated journey). Budget around an hour to reach Gatwick Airport by train.

From sedate and romantic to an explosion of patterns and colors, the 142 rooms here are an eclectic mix of styles. The Christian Lacroix-designed Riviera Rooms are no doubt the hotel’s biggest talking point. The entire fifth-floor has been taken over by the designer’s aesthetic and as a result is awash with eye-popping design motifs. From the Jardin Exotique Room to the Jewel Box, the inspiration leaps from Monaco’s botanical gardens to Grace Kelly’s stolen Cartier jewels. While the bright colors and graphic wallpapering won’t be to everybody’s taste, it certainly adds some drama. The other rooms range from tiny Single Rooms to the Terrace Suite. These are much plainer, but still suitably stylish, with quirky pieces of artwork and distressed lamps adding some appeal. Features are fairly standard across the board, with Samsung HD TVs including Sky Sports, climate control systems, daily newspapers, and Nespresso machines. Cell phones with unlimited data come in particularly handy for international travelers. Rooms can be small, but feel cozy and compact rather than cramped. The bathrooms are surprisingly basic, with simple tiling in neutral colors plus shower/tub combos and premium bath products (C.O. Bigelow during our 2018 visit). If you can, opt for the spectacular Terrace Suite. Spread over two floors, it has all the sophistication and privacy of a townhouse apartment. The terrace is heated and has a large table and chairs with views out to Hinde Street Church, Manchester Square, and the rooftops of London. The marble bathroom is all powder pink perfection, with a separate bathtub and power shower, plus a particularly glamorous vanity dressing table. 

This fashion-forward hotel has some glamorous features that draw social-minded guests and locals. In fact, the hotel’s own Reform Social & Grill makes a great case for staying in despite the wealth of nearby options. The menu is contemporary European, with comforting classics given modern twists. In an homage to the humble British Yorkshire Pudding, the hotel also has three savory and three sweet versions for visitors to try, think smoked salmon with cream cheese or clotted cream and jam. There’s a similarly stylish Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea, which includes whiskey cocktails, sausage rolls, and steak and snail sandwiches. There’s also a great bar area, which is cozier than the restaurant, with tub armchairs, plush sofas, and leather stools. The hotel offers a range of exclusive shopping packages for its guests, including discounts and personal shopping with in-house celebrity stylist Laetitia Tomaso. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, as are the handy phones in each of the rooms. These have unlimited data and phone calls. The hotel doesn’t have a gym, but there are future plans to build one.