In London, there are few neighborhoods as posh as Mayfair. Here, you can window shop for luxury cars like a Bentley or a Lotus, have a custom-fitted suit made on Savile Row, or stay at one of many iconic hotels in the area that rank among the best in London.
Some of those other hotels, such as The Ritz and The Connaught, have decades of history. However, on my latest trip to London, I spent two nights taking in one of the neighborhood’s newest — and greenest — hotels: 1 Hotel Mayfair.
It officially opened in 2024 just across Picadilly from The Ritz. I was excited to see how 1 Hotels — a brand with a clean and modern aesthetic, plus an emphasis on sustainability — would compare to its more glitzy and gold-clad neighbors.
Here’s everything you need to know about staying at the 1 Hotel Mayfair.
What is the 1 Hotel Mayfair?
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1 Hotel Mayfair is a trendy hotel in central London with a focus on sustainability and wellness, and it is part of the growing 1 Hotels brand. The hotel’s edifice is the combination of two existing buildings that were extensively refurbished. The 1 Hotel Mayfair has brought a more laidback sense of luxury and a youthful spirit to a neighborhood known as the locale for some of the most expensive hotels in town.
Rather than gilt and crystal accents and porters uniformed in top hats and tails, this hotel has a decidedly more casual vibe. It has walls of living plants, reusable in-room water bottles and filtered-water stations, earth-toned color palettes and staff members who deliver service in a way that feels like friends waiting to help with whatever you need.
How to book the 1 Hotel Mayfair
Though 1 Hotels has its own loyalty program, Mission Membership, it’s more experiential-based than traditional points programs where the money you spend helps you earn free nights and perks.
With Mission Membership, the points you earn during stays give you perks based on tier levels; perks include exclusive offers and experiences, credit to use during your stay, late checkout, potential room upgrades and even the opportunity to give some of the money you spend back to charity. If you book directly, you should sign up for the program to see how it can help you save.
Rates at 1 Hotel Mayfair start between $350 and $400 for an entry-level Alcove King room and go up from there. London is a notoriously expensive city for hotels, so these price points, even for standard rooms, can fluctuate dramatically, especially during the busy summer season.
Right now, 1 Hotel Mayfair isn’t available to book through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, where you can get elite-like perks for your stay. Other 1 Hotel properties do participate in the program, so it could be incorporated in the future.
Rooms and suites
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For my two-night stay, I was in a Skyline One Bedroom Suite on a high floor with dramatic white-curtained, floor-to-ceiling windows that looked down at the neighboring Ritz hotel.
Measuring more than 400 square feet, the apartment-style suite was large and functional. It had an entryway, a living room with a dining table, a separate bedroom, a walk-in closet and a large bathroom with the toilet in a separate room that you could enter from the walk-in closet or from the other side in the entryway.
Immediately upon entering the space, I knew this room was special. The soft, early afternoon sunlight illuminated the wooden peeling and flooring and made the earthy white- and clay-colored fabrics glow dramatically.
In the entryway, I found my first surprising element and one that highlights 1 Hotel’s earth-friendly ethos: a filtered water tap built into the wall and surrounded by moss-like plants. Reusable water bottles were also provided to take advantage of this.
In the living room, the neutral-toned elements continued. There were some abstract wall art pieces created from branches; more live plants, including some embedded in the wooden console next to the wraparound couch; a round dining room table with two chairs; and a massive armoire. I was excited to see lots of lamps for mood lighting, as well as fun coffee table books to flip through. The room even had a fancy (and aesthetically pleasing, wood-surfaced) Bluetooth speaker. Opposite the couch, a massive TV hung midway up the wall.
The armoire held the minibar with distinctive snacks and other goodies, like plantain chips, dried mango strips, organic orange and milk chocolate cookies, and Fitbake nutrition bars.
There was also an electric tea kettle, a Nespresso machine, top-shelf liquor and even pre-mixed bottled cocktails like a bourbon old-fashioned and a yuzu margarita. There were also very on-brand items like AG1 nutritional supplements, relaxing pillow spray and one of 1 Hotels signature scent candles.
Two pocket doors separated the living room from the bedroom, which was chic and smart. My eyes immediately went to the dark, wood-paneled wall that anchored the bed and its leather and fabric headboard. As for the king bed itself, I found it to be near perfect in terms of comfort — probably due to the Sleepeezee mattress and sustainably sourced bedding that was ultra soft.
Other subtle yet thoughtful features included reading lights built into the headboard as well as room controls tucked into the wall; it was nice to be able to control the lights without having to get up from bed.
Another large TV dominated the wall opposite the bed.
The plethora of drapes and curtains, even in unexpected places like the wall and door between the bedroom and the bathroom, was a nice design touch that imbued the room with maximum coziness. But honestly, the bathroom is so beautiful that you’ll likely want to leave the curtains open so you can admire it from bed.
Speaking of the bathroom, the star of the show was the massive freestanding soaking tub that not only served as a focal point for the space but also as a great place to relax after a hectic day in a bustling city. Next to it was a walk-in shower; it had incredible water pressure that made for a great, invigorating way to start the day. The bathroom was stocked with fluffy white towels.
There was also a single large sink vanity with double faucets and ample counter space to hold toiletries.
Throughout the bathroom, including at the sink and in the shower, custom Bamford products were available in refillable bottles. Even though I appreciate the efforts to prevent waste with toiletries, I have to say I was bummed I couldn’t take these incredible, fragrant products home with me.
A walk-in closet with a small mirror, lots of hanging space, a few drawers and two ropes that felt like wrapping up in your favorite sweatshirt rounded out the amenities. In the closet, I also found a yoga mat, a steamer, slippers and a fancy Dyson hair dryer.
In my experience as a travel journalist, this was, hands down, the most practical suite I’ve ever seen. Every space is used smartly, and every design choice is made to complement the next. While you can find similar principles at other 1 Hotels locations, this one had a distinct sense of place thanks to its amenities and those windows bringing the neighborhood inside.
What to eat and drink at the 1 Hotel Mayfair
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In the hotel, there are three establishments where you can imbibe or ingest, as well as 24-hour room service.
Off the lobby is Neighbours, a trendy little cafe full of chairs, couches and plants open daily from 8 a.m. onward. There, you can grab a cup of Workshop Coffee, a pastry, your favorite tea or a light meal like a smoked ricotta salad (9.50 British pounds, or $12). Since Neighbours essentially spills out into the lobby, it’s a great place to work, read or just watch the hotel’s fabulous clientele come and go.
For dinner, be sure to make reservations at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Dovetale, helmed by chef Tom Sellers of the Michelin two-starred restaurant Story (which is temporarily closed for refurbishment). Featuring a dark, moody and intimate dining room, Dovetale offers a modern twist on British cuisine with dishes like slow-cooked pork belly and roasted cod. The restaurant also has a lovely bar area where you can enjoy pre- or post-dinner cocktails.
Lastly, on the hotel’s rooftop, you’ll find the 1 Rooftop, an open-air space with amazing views of the city. It’s a great spot for drinks and small bites, especially during the warmer months.
The 1 Hotel Mayfair is a breath of fresh air in the posh neighborhood of Mayfair. With its focus on sustainability, modern design, and practicality, it offers a unique and refreshing experience for travelers looking for a more laidback luxury stay. Whether you’re interested in exploring the trendy cafes and shops of Mayfair or simply enjoying the hotel’s amenities and rooftop views, the 1 Hotel Mayfair is a great choice for your next stay in London.