Property Snapshot

Name:

The May Fair Hotel

Location:

Stratton Street, London W1J 8LT

Stay dates:

12-15 January 2026

Booking method (direct/website/phone/third party):

Hotels.com 

Type (hotel / B&B / guesthouse / lodge / glamping etc.):

Hotel

Arrival & Check-In

Parking & access:

Parking is available off-site in a nearby car park. Not unusual for central London, but worth factoring in if you’re arriving by car.

First impressions:

A classic, well-proportioned building that feels entirely at home in its Mayfair surroundings. Understated rather than showy.

Check-in experience:

A genuinely warm welcome with plenty of staff on hand. We complicated matters slightly by arriving with two separate bookings for a three-night stay due to a last-minute change of plans. Reception handled this seamlessly, linking both reservations so we could remain in the same room throughout. A small detail, but one that makes a big difference after a long journey.

The Room

Room type:

Collection Deluxe Room

Size & layout:

29 sq metres or 313 sq feet

Cleanliness:

Good

Bed comfort:

Comfortable overall, though the bed sits noticeably low to the floor and includes a mattress topper rather than an integrated plush mattress.

Heating/cooling/ventilation:

Individually controlled air-conditioning

Wi-Fi reliability:

Reliable

Noise levels:

Generally quiet, though we experienced some disturbance from inconsiderate neighbouring guests.

View:

Street-facing, overlooking surrounding buildings. The room was well-appointed and functional, if not indulgent. One notable drawback was the lack of blackout curtains, allowing a surprising amount of early-morning light into the room, not ideal for light sleepers.

Bathroom

Cleanliness:

Cleaned daily and maintained to a good standard.

Shower pressure & temperature:

Good pressure and temperature control, though water movement through the pipes was noticeably noisy when in use.

Toiletries (quality & quantity):

Hand wash, lotion, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner provided.

Towels (size & quality):

Flannels, hand towels and generous bath sheets, neatly stored on a heated towel rail.

Accessibility notes:

No Issues with accessibility

Food & Drink

Breakfast (quality, variety, timing):

Served 07:00–10:00 (Monday–Friday). A well-stocked continental and cooked buffet, with additional dishes available cooked-to-order from the menu. However the cooked buffet food could have been hotter, and the plates to put your hot food on, were cold. 

Other on-site options (restaurant/bar/room service):

Room service is available, though we did not test it during this stay.

Facilities & Extras

Parking:

Off Site

Spa / gym / pool:

Not applicable

Bar / lounge / communal areas:

The reception and bar areas are lively and well-used throughout the day. Despite being busy, staffing levels were good and service remained attentive.

Outdoor areas (gardens, terrace):

Not known

Accessibility (lifts, ramps, accessible rooms):

Lifts and ramps available for access challenged guests. 

Anything closed or under renovation:

Not during our stay

Staff & Service

Overall attitude & friendliness:

Across reception, bar and breakfast service, staff were friendly, efficient and approachable. 

Efficiency & responsiveness:

When an internal systems issue incorrectly suggested our breakfast and nightly deposit had not been paid, the matter was handled quickly and professionally once raised — although it did cause a slightly awkward delay initially.

Local knowledge & recommendations:

Good

Anyone to mention by name/role:

No

Value for Money

Rating (1–5 stars):

⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5)

Why this rating? (compare to similar stays):

The room could be more comfortable by providing black out curtains for example. A lot of light ‘seeps’ into the room from very early in the day

Insider Tips

Best rooms/floors to request:

High Floor

How to get the best rate:

Not Known

Seasonal considerations / local tips:

Higher floors better during the cold months. Warmer away from the ground floor and the noise

The Verdict

What we loved:

The vibrant bar, attentive staff, and excellent proximity to London’s key attractions and transport links.

What we didn’t:

Lack of blackout curtains, noisy plumbing, and a brief but awkward billing system mismatch at breakfast.

Would we stay again (yes/no & why):

Yes, on balance. The positives comfortably outweigh the negatives, particularly if you secure a higher-floor room.

Overall Rating

Overall rating (1–5 stars):

⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5). A well-located Mayfair hotel delivering solid service and atmosphere, with a few comfort details that stop it just short of being truly excellent.