The May Fair, A Radisson Collection Hotel

Two steps into the lobby and guests will immediately sense the relaxed atmosphere that distinguishes this high-profile five-star hotel from its stiffer Mayfair cousins. The May Fair Hotel -- not to be confused with the Mayfair District where it is located -- is casual yet maintains an air of luxury as loose, jazzy music and dim lighting set the overall mood. The lobby is vibrant and contemporary, yet touched by tradition: Ebony woods and neutral marble floors pair with brightly colored leather and black velvet. Beautiful art relics from exotic corners of the world add a touch of elegance and refinement. It's a pleasing mix of aesthetics that the May Fair, one of the Radisson Blu Hotels, makes its own. All in all, the May Fair embraces unabashed luxury with a bit of quirkiness thrown in. From the million-pound crystal chandeliers to the gold-gilded walls to the comical silver-headed black sheep statues, the May Fair expresses extravagance in the best sense of that word.

Green Park is a rather exclusive area of Mayfair. Watch crisp-suited businessmen and elegantly heeled women bustle by on traffic-clogged Piccadilly, then turn the corner to where the May Fair practically occupies its own block. The side street offers plenty of peace and quiet, while still being in easy reach of many of Mayfair’s most sought after restaurants, shopping spots, and galleries. The nearby Green Park tube station, which serves the Piccadilly, Victoria, and Jubilee lines, easily connects the rest of London.

Damask textiles, velvet furniture, and bright shiny bedding in indulgent crushed velvet give the rooms a boutique's attention to detail despite the large size of the hotel. The May Fair also has a variety of rooms and suites, including One Bedroom, Two Bedroom, and Studio Suites, some with balconies, integrated fireplaces, home cinema systems, and kitchenettes. Technology is a step up here, with smart TVs in every room that allow for laptop syncing and wireless printing directly to conference rooms, along with other state-of-the-art functions. Suites have the added bonus of iPads that provide hotel and local area information, as well as weather and news updates.

The May Fair is well known for its celebrity sightings and red carpet events. Guests can saunter into the May Fair Bar if they wish to see and be seen, but the May Fair Kitchen -- which has a Mediterranean menu and regular live DJs -- offers more privacy. Corporate guests are well served by the abundance of meeting and function rooms in all shapes, color themes, and sizes, and the spa, while a little worn, guarantees a moment of tranquillity.