The Look

On a tree-lined street in one of London’s poshest neighborhoods, the May Fair Hotel is a ritzy retreat with regal connections. Opened in 1927 by King George V, this five-star haute hotel sits on a site that was once the location of the Duke of Devonshire’s London home. It’s decked out with designer furnishings from floor (Fendi sofas) to ceiling (Baccarat chandeliers) and attracts stars from fashion and film.

Bed and Bath

The hotel feels far more intimate than 404 guestrooms would imply. Spread across nine floors, room categories range from Superior (323 square feet) to palatial Signature Suites (2,142 square feet). Color combos vary, from spearmint-green and taupe to mustard-yellow and lilac, and they’re all dressed with tactile furnishings, Catalan furniture and Sicilian marble in the bathrooms. Samsung smart TVs with 400 channels, international power outlets, free WiFi and tea- and coffeemaking facilities come standard, and mini Smeg fridges emblazoned with the Union Jack feature in the Suites. Signature Suites are equipped with grandiose gadgets like Japanese toilets, color-changing bathtubs and even talking showers in some bathrooms.

Beyond

With a destination restaurant, two bars, an Asian-inspired spa, a private cinema (with Ferrari leather-trimmed seats) and a casino, the May Fair feels more like an urban resort than a hotel. Start with a cocktail at the May Fair Bar, where waiters often shimmy through with free canapés. Follow up with a meal at May Fair Kitchen, which evokes an ambience to recreate the culinary delights of the Mediterranean, showcasing an exquisite selection of Spanish and Italian small plates, and finish at the May Fair Terrace a stylish semi-alfresco lounge in the heart of the hotel. The basement gym is open 24 hours and sits next to the spa, which has an aromatic steam room, experience showers and a candlelit relaxation room.

In the Area

You’re a short walk from Green Park, which backs onto Buckingham Palace Gardens, and Hyde Park, where you can boat on the lake, ride along ancient horse trails or swim in the Serpentine Lido. Stroll Mayfair’s boutique-lined streets and pop into Dover Street Market, a multilevel hipster store adored by fashion editors, or head to Fortnum & Mason to gawk at the food hall. Shopping thoroughfares Oxford Street, Bond Street and Regent Street are all within walking distance, and for a spot of culture, walk along Piccadilly to the Royal Academy for blockbuster art shows.