Living in the centre of London has its benefits. The convenience of having so many restaurants on your doorstep, some of the most amazing coffee bars, scenic (if a little smoggy) walks and so many hotels it can sometimes be hard to stand out from the crowd. With all that in mind we recently checked into the boutique Washington Hotel in Mayfair. It’s my first time staying in a hotel in Mayfair overnight and I so was rather excited for having even more on my doorstep than usual.
The Washington Hotel is located on the well-known Curzon Street which leads you straight into the heart of just about everything. Oxford Street and Berkeley Square are just a few minute’s walk. Piccadilly Circus even closer and the royal parks such as Green Park and Hyde Park can even been seen from the hotel’s front door and balcony rooms. You’ll always find something to do in the area.
The hotel has a history dating back to 1913 and its Art Deco origins can be clearly seen from the moment you walk through the doors and into the lobby, with Chinese influences throughout. Big plump red leather chairs, Chinese pottery, big windows looking out onto Curzon Street and some lovely staff to welcome you. I must say the one thing this hotel does really well is service. If feels like everyone is part of one big family.
We were staying in one of the hotels deluxe rooms and size wise it was very generous. The bed could have been a little softer if I was being picky, but nothing the kept me from a good nights sleep. There’s a large desk area at the other end of the room which leads out to our balcony, tea & coffee-making facilities, complimentary bottled water and a turndown service revealed some chocolates which went down a treat before bed.
Speaking of that balcony, it was gigantic. One side looked across to Green Park and the other into Mayfair and in the distance Marylebone. It’s very rare to get such a large balcony this central in London so it came as a nice surprise. My only negative was the balcony chair needs to be changed (it’s not pleasing on the eye) and the patio floor better maintained. Other than that, we loved looking down onto the streets, especially at night.
The bathrooms are brand new and very modern with a large bathtub to enjoy relaxing before dinner. Above the bath is a nice powerful shower, mist free mirrors for those extra long soaks in the bath and large modern porcelain tiles. It’s the first time I’ve seen Crabtree & Evelyn products in a hotel bathroom before which was a nice touch and all very lovely.
For those seeking a space to enjoy a glass of wine, lunch, dinner or afternoon tea – Madison’s Restaurant & Bar is the beating heart of the hotel and offers informal all day dining. Whether you are looking for a business express lunch, traditional Afternoon Tea, or a dinner, Madison’s will serve you well. For more details about their food offerings click here.
The next morning we popped down for breakfast which was included in our overnight rate. It’s buffet service and the quality of everything was excellent. Thick, flavoursome sausages, crispy bacon, buttery scrambled eggs and crispy hash browns. For those looking to be a little healthier, there’s a good selection of cereals, pastries, fresh fruits, juices and charcuterie.
It was so lovely staying in the heart of Mayfair for the night and despite it raining all day and night, having everything on your doorstep means everything is so close to not dampen your stay. The hotel does need updating, but the location and the staff are what make this a reason to choose for your next London stay. The Washington Hotel is also relatively well-priced given the size of the room and that excellent Mayfair location.
NB: My stay was complimentary. All views are as always, my own. My views are not influenced by anyone other than my own palate and slightly poor eyesight.
I love art-deco style and the vibrant colours in this hotel appeal to me so much. What a beautiful luxurious feel the place has too. Also quite like the informal dining option as sometimes luxury hotel slack this.