Venetia van Kuffeler stays at Flemings Mayfair, a luxury boutique hotel that punches well above its weight

Flemings Mayfair is so discrete that you may not even know that it exists. Having opened in 1851, it is one of London’s oldest family hotels. Part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group, this award-winning hotel is found in one of London’s most prestigious neighbourhoods.

Originally converted from 13 Georgian townhouses, the property describes itself as a luxury boutique hotel, but a recent refurbishment has taken Flemings Mayfair to another level. Last year, it unveiled 129 new-look bedrooms and suites, featuring beautifully elegant interior design and some hidden extras.

With no expense spared, £85,000 has been spent on each room, revealing opulent, contemporary interiors.  Décor is 1930’s inspired with high ceilings, magnificent headboards, shades of bronze and soft greys, period features and beautiful bespoke furniture. Bathrooms feature stunning mosaic marble floors, bathtubs or rainfall showers with underfloor heating, making them a total luxury to use. Ground floor suites have the benefit of landscaped terraces, offering an outside space for a quiet drink or breakfast.

Luxurious touches include the hand-stitched Mattison beds and detailed Chiswick linen, Nespresso coffee machines and studio suites that boast a gin ‘honesty’ bar providing guests with complimentary self-serve tipples. Traditional ingredients are provided along with cocktail-making equipment and a recipe book to make the perfect martini or negroni.

For larger parties, Flemings also has some one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with a private entrance onto Clarges Street. The Penthouse sleeps six and has a private lift and rooftop terrace for al-fresco drinking, dining and entertaining. The Townhouse on Half Moon Street has seven bedrooms and is available as an entire property or bookable as individual suites.

With renowned British chef Shaun Rankin at its helm, the hotel’s restaurant Ormer Mayfair focuses on his Jersey heritage. Offering a modern British menu, this new venture runs alongside Rankin’s original restaurant, Ormer Jersey. Quintessentially British, the dining room is again 1930s-inspired, with monochrome marble floors and forest green velvet banquettes. Two private dining rooms seat 12 or 20.  The menu is bursting with wonderful Jersey and British fare that is cooked to perfection, with dishes like sweet Jersey lobster ravioli in rich crab and tomato bisque and secreto of Iberico pork with charred calamari, chorizo chutney and pureed Asian pear. My breakfast of avocado on toast with mung beans and poached eggs was the finest I’d had in years.

Hidden away, the plush Manetta’s Bar revives the name of the original drinking hole at Flemings back in the 1930s, and recaptures the spirit of the place where legend goes that spies used to swap secrets. Beautifully lit with soft velvet and supple leather upholstery, the bar exudes sophisticated opulence. Continuing the theme, the cocktail menu is inspired by writers Agatha Christie and Gertrude Stein who are depicted on the walls.

I left Flemings Mayfair feeling that this is a property that punches well above its weight. Rooms start at £210 per night, making it excellent value.

Flemings Mayfair, 7–12 Half Moon Street, Mayfair, London W1J 7BH

T: +44 (0)20 7499 0000  

www.flemings-mayfair.co.uk