Flemings Mayfair

Established in 1851, this 129-room hotel lays claim to being one of the oldest hotels in London. A simple Georgian exterior gives way to an opulent lobby with marble floors and gold-gilded furniture. The Drawing Room, available for afternoon tea and light dining, is a chic and cozy space with blue velvet booths, a fireplace, and shelves lined with books. 

Flemings Mayfair is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of The World, meaning the small boutique property focuses on providing excellent service and accommodations. Guests include couples, families, and business travelers, and the Tiny Single Rooms are for solo travelers. The hotel completed a $20 million renovation of its guest rooms and restaurant in 2016.

Flemings Hotel is located in Mayfair, a district brimming with hedge-fund managers, embassy diplomats, and the local affluent -- interesting for understanding the local social hierarchy and, of course, for rubbing elbows. Enjoy walking to many major shopping and dining districts from one of the most centrally located hotels in town.

• 30-minute drive to Heathrow Airport
• 2-minute walk to Green Park
• 9-minute walk to Buckingham Palace
• 11-minute walk to Piccadilly Circus and Piccadilly theatres
• 12-minute walk to Hyde Park
• 15-minute walk to Trafalgar Square, London ICA, and National Portrait Gallery
• 15-minute walk to Bond Street and West End shopping district, including Selfridge’s
• 8-minute tube ride to Knightsbridge station and Knightsbridge shopping district, including Harrod’s
• 9-minute tube ride to Covent Garden
• 13-minute tube ride to Tottenham Court Road Station and Soho
• 15-minute tube ride to Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, and scenic walks along the Thames

Rooms vary in size from the Tiny Single, intended for solo travelers, to multi-bedroom residences. Renovations, completed in 2016, saw the addition of spacious Studio Suites and chic apartments. All rooms incorporate an elegant Art Deco style, with sumptuous bedding, luxe details like padded headboards and modern chandeliers, and other designer-style furnishings. One-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments have separate living and dining spaces, as well as fully-stocked kitchens. Some rooms have private terraces.

• Flat-screen TVs
• iPod docks or Tivoli radio with Bluetooth functionality
• Decently stocked minibar (a full bar in the Studio Suite)
• Tea- and coffee-making facilities
• Modern shower/tub combos or walk-in rainfall showers (some suites and apartments also have separate soaking tubs)
• Plush bathrobes and slippers
• T London bath products
• Free Wi-Fi
• In-room safes
• Air conditioning

There's a small but well-equipped fitness center with cardio and strength-training machines, and free weights. Business services are also provided. 

Ormer Mayfair restaurant, run by Michelin-starred chef Shaun Rankin, serves gourmet fare for lunch and dinner in a stylish space. Manetta's Bar, a popular hangout for artists and writers like James Joyce and Gertrude Stein in the 1930s, serves signature and classic cocktails inspired by the personalities who frequented the spot. Afternoon tea service and light bites are available in the Drawing Room.