1 Hotel Mayfair - London

1 Hotel Mayfair. What a gem, right in the heart of London, in the prestigious Mayfair neighborhood. Everything you need is right at your doorstep, and this hotel does not disappoint. It's the most family-friendly hotel we have stumbled upon in London so far.

THE PROPERTY

Mayfair is a very bustling part of London, so the fact that 1 Hotel Mayfair is able to feel like a retreat right smack in the middle of everything is quite an accomplishment. The hotel prides itself on its sustainability practices, and this extends to the materials used in its decor. From warm, natural tones to greenery everywhere, you instantly feel at peace when you walk in. Even the hotel's exterior looks like an oasis. Perhaps the most interesting juxtaposition is that, at the same time, the hotel feels hip and lively. I can’t explain it, you'll just have to experience it for yourself, but it feels calming while also feeling alive and fun, which is my whole vibe to a T. The property has a gym and a world-renowned spa, as well as a restaurant, Dovetale, on site.

THE ROOM

Another point that also makes the hotel family-friendly is its adjoining rooms. I'm always down for a shared suite, but having your own rooms when you have kids is unmatched. The rooms seamlessly join together, where you can’t even tell that it’s two different hotel rooms. We had SO much space. My kids were LIVING and also running around like maniacs; they were so excited. The room was adorned with a teepee full of books, activities, games, and stuffed animals. It was the sweetest welcome and so perfect for children. The girls were so entertained that we didn’t even hear a peep from them once we were settled and they tucked away in the teepee. We had a large dining table for family dinners and a large living room for lounging and watching movies. They welcome us with treats, water, milk, and cookies as part of their Starlit Sleepover Packages, which I’ll get into later. The bathrooms were large with free-standing tubs and walk-in showers. The toilets were heated, which is always a delight. After I leave a hotel with heated toilets, I’m a little sad because all toilets should be heated in all the lands; it’s quite a travesty, really, that they are not. The beds were large, plush, and so comfortable. We felt very at peace in the rooms, thanks to the thoughtful decor and green elements; they really emit this zen, homy vibe. My absolute favorite part of the rooms had to be the water stations, though. The fact that we had them in our rooms and could fill our own bottles whenever we needed was amazing. These little things make traveling with kids os much easier. One less thing to think about makes a huge difference. We were also assigned a butler who came and replenished anything we needed. He was very nice and personable.

THE FOOD

We had in-room dining on our large dining table the first night. They make ordering food on your phone very easy, and they offer a wide range of options for different diets, which I always appreciate. Everything was good, and it was so nice to eat in the comfort of our room at a large table. It felt like a family dinner at home. The next night, we had dinner at the on-site restaurant, Dovetale. This restaurant had cool, hip vibes but also catered nicely to the children; they gave them cute little notebooks with colored pencils inside. The girls happily colored and drew while we waited for our food. The lobster pasta was so so good. I highly recommend. For dessert, they had an ice cream station where the kids could pick their flavors and toppings, which was so fun for them. They loved their creations. The restaurant also has its usual menu and a daily-changing menu, featuring dishes you can only get that day. I thought that was really special, and I ended up ordering the dessert of the day.

STARLIT SLEEPOVER PACKAGE

The hotel offers a Starlit Sleepover Package, which includes a pop-up tent set up in the room, in-room movies, and snacks like milk and cookies. They even provide a star projector in the room. This was an absolute hit with the kids. We ate delicious cookies and snacks, had a dance party, and watched their favorite movie. It was so nice to do this on the first night while we eased ourselves into our travel day.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Mayfair is one of the best neighborhoods if you're a tourist in London, and especially if it's your first visit. Many of London's main attractions are within walking distance, including Buckingham Palace and many museums. It’s also right across the way from Green Park and many other parks. Our favorite is St. James’s Park, which has a gorgeous pond with various wildlife and a small playground. The hotel is also within walking distance of Piccadilly, where you will find many theaters, and Oxford Circus, which has some of the best shopping in London. It’s also close to Hamleys, the largest toy store in the world. 

HOUSE CAR

If you don’t feel like walking or running into inclement weather, the hotel offers a house car that can take you anywhere you want to go. This is ideal when you have tired little legs that no longer feel like walking. The car comes with a friendly driver who can wait for you at your stop and bring you to multiple places if you desire. Just be sure to reserve your spot with the reception beforehand to assure the car is available for the time you need.

I highly recommend 1 Hotel Mayfair for your family's visit to London. It checks all the boxes; there is nothing we would change. It was one of our top family stays. You will not be disappointed.

See pricing and availability for 1 Hotel Mayfair, HERE