Flemings Revamp Fuses Style With Substance

Established in 1851 and spread across six townhouses, the boutique hotel recently completed an extensive refurbishment, but has retained a sense of old world glamour and luxury through its Victorian façade, fronted by immaculately dressed, top-hat wearing doormen. For arriving guests it creates a striking first impression.

Upon entering the hotel, however, that impression is cast aside as you are transported into an altogether different world. The new Flemings interior positively oozes modern style, brimming with avant-garde furniture, elegant objets d’art, and a complementary colour scheme.

If there was any worry that the dramatic décor would come at the expensive of good service, then it was soon eased. So often in hotels, style is at the expense of substance, but at Flemings the two co-exist in perfect harmony. The reception staff offer a level of courtesy and attentiveness that should be the standard in high-end hotels, yet is frequently found wanting.

The room – an Executive double – was stylishly designed, and spacious enough to accommodate three alternative seating areas in addition to the bed. An adjoining bathroom provided both a bath and a separate stand-up shower, without compromising on space to manouvre or surface area for toiletries.

Whilst cleanliness, like service, should also be taken for granted in quality hotels, it is worth noting that our room at Flemings was impeccably clean, passing our rudimentary dust test (the finger swipe) with flying colours.

Back downstairs, the funky retro-styled cocktail bar proved too tempting to resist and we settled down for a pre-dinner drink. The bar’s dim lighting is set against colourful and multi-shaped seating, creating a beguiling ambience that would make for ideal small-talk on an intimate first or second date. Our delicious cocktails were lovingly created by a fiercely focussed but always attentive barman.

As well as the cocktail bar, Flemings also offers variety of afternoon teas and cupcakes, as well as Champagne, in the elegant Front Room, located at the front of the hotel.

For dinner we eschewed the in-house restaurant – Flemings Grill, introduced as part of the refurbishment, serving modern European fare – in favour of a local eaterie, but did get to experience the hotel’s gastronomic prowess by way of breakfast the following morning. The Full English was quite simply flawless, with every component cooked to perfection – a skill that seems to elude so many.

In conclusion, Flemings Mayfair Hotel is everything you could hope from a Central London boutique hotel. Distinctively designed and immaculately maintained, intimate but with a sense of space, and with friendly and helpful staff. A hotel that, regardless of the nature of your visit, cannot fail to impress.

Flemings Mayfair also has its own online magazine, The Insider, keeping readers up to speed on the latest news and events at the hotel.