Set within a Grade II listed crescent on the cusp of Park Lane, Moncalm Mayfair is a relative newcomer to London’s luxury hotel scene, but we think one of the most exceptional. With 150 rooms and suites, including three interconnecting signature suites, destination dining overseen by Michelin-starred chef Akira Back, a botanically inspired bar, and lobby lounge, subterranean wellness sanctuary YATRA, and over 800 pieces of artwork, woven throughout, along with a strong commitment to social enterprise, the Montcalm Mayfair brings the concept of ‘sensitive luxury’ to London with ease. The Luxury Editor recently enjoyed a stay here and you can read the full review below.
England, Greater London, London, Marylebone
Montcalm Mayfair, Autograph Collection
(5 stars)Background & Concept
Following a two-year closure and complete restoration, the property reopened in spring 2025 as the Montcalm Mayfair, the flagship property within the Montcalm Hotels portfolio it joins a collection of luxury properties which includes the Montcalm Brewery, a historic brewery reimagined as a hotel, to the Montcalm Royal London House, a former Royal Mail headquarters in the City, and the ultra contemporary Montcalm East in Shoreditch. The hotel is also part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, a global portfolio spanning 240 properties across 40 countries, all chosen for their design, originality, and character.
Sitting centrally on a Georgian horseshoe crescent, from its exterior, you wouldn’t immediately notice any architectural changes. Award-winning architects Holland Harvey have restored and enhanced the Georgian Grade II-listed façade, which was damaged in WWII and rebuilt in the 1970s, preserving its historical integrity and reimagining its Georgian features with floor-to-ceiling windows, adding an extension and incorporating three signature suites complete with their own private entrance to the property.
As you walk into the lobby, your immediate reaction, as mine was will likely be to stop for a moment to take it all in. There is an instant WOW factor within the space. Designed by Studio Est, the light-filled public area is sophisticated, emulating the warmth of a living room, with rich earthy tones in organic and materials ranging from oak to marble and brass. One of my favourite spots in the hotel was the lounge area, a cosy residential space within a public lobby. As I sat there, my mind wandered back to childhood memories growing up with a coal fire in the lounge – here the naked flame has been reimagined using a marble backlit onyx fireplace, gently flickering and dancing away.
Running through every corner of the hotel is ‘The Mark of The Garden’, a creative philosophy highlighting that the area was both once an ancient forest and also the Georgian era’s tradition of gardens as places of artistic expression. Drawing inspiration from Constance Spry, the pioneering floral designer of the era.
This concept manifests through hotel fragrances in public areas, woodland soundscapes in the spa, floral teas and nature-inspired music, along with bespoke flower-inspired cakes. The colour scheme follows the seasons from spring greens, autumn russets and deep winter blues, along with hidden floral details in textiles and art.
Within the lobby brasserie, make sure to look up to the ceiling mural, hand-painted by Will Foster, depicting an ethereal garden dancing across the ceiling, and the three marble arches in the bar are a subtle nod to London’s iconic nearby March Arch.
Location
Technically closer to Marble Arch than Mayfair, this location is another positive attribute for the hotel. Marylebone Village, Portman Square, Selfridge’s, and Oxford Street are all moments away on foot in one direction and Hyde Park and onto Knightsbridge in the other. Bond Street and Marble Arch Underground stations are within easy connecting you with the rest of London, and the hotel’s concierge team can help with any transfers or wider exploration of the capital.
Rooms & Suites
The 150 guest rooms range from Superior through to Premium, along with 27 one-bedroom suites and three signature two-bedroom suites. Guest spaces are finished in a palette of beige, mushroom and taupe, with pops of terracotta and moss green in the furnishings, rugs and chairs. Soft curves feature throughout, running from headboards through to mirrors, giving each room a residential format. In-room touches include Frette bed linens, Bamford Geranium bathroom amenities, and furniture crafted from naturally felled wood and rattan accessories from Kalinko, a social enterprise working with over 250 artisans in Myanmar.
My Suite During My Stay
During my stay, I was hosted in a Marquis Suite, a beautiful room that maximises its space. Above the bed hangs a dark botanical artwork, and to the right of the bed is a framed sleep poem; Two Creative Writing MFA students from Goldsmiths were commissioned to pen sleep poems for each guest room, which have been transformed into bedside artworks with illustrations by Petra Börner. A Juliet balcony maximises both the view out to the street and natural light, and across from the bed, a framed flatscreen TV with your name on it to welcome you, a small chez lounge sofa and a table and chairs.
Calacatta marble tiling runs thoughout the bathroom, with the shower area laid in a herringbone pattern and larger format slabs on the walls and floor, complemented by brass fixtures and fittings, and I really enjoyed using the Bamford amenities.
Bespoke floral-inspired welcome cakes are made by Luminary Bakery, a social enterprise which empowers women facing adversity, and little finishing touches go above and beyond, like the hand-pressed seal on my welcome letter.
A dressing/workspace features a mini bar with paid snacks and drinks avaliabile, along with a Nespresso machine, and I love the small bottles of fresh milk chilling away for teas and coffees.
Signature Suites
I also previewed the hotel’s three signature suites, the Botanical, the Drawing Room and the Parlour. Each has its own personality, the Botanical is a living gallery composed around an exclusive art takeover by Camille Rousseau, the drawing room takes inspiration from London Spring with golden light and deep green tones, while the parlour draws on autumn’s harvest, finished in deep hues, golden finishes, and handoven fabrics. Each is interconnected via its own foyer, which can be accessed both via the hotel and a private entrance, ideal for families or groups who want a self-contained base while staying in London.
The Library
Signature suite guests can also access The Library on the top floor, a calming space curated with botanical books, along with a fine tea and seasonal refreshment bar.
Restaurant
Dinner at Lilli by Akira Back is, without doubt, where I’ve enjoyed one of my favourite meals in London to date. The room itself draws you in, an intimate space of deep greens, with burnished brass table lamps providing intimate lighting that feels closer to a member’s club or cocktail bar. Chef Akira Back’s menu celebrates his Korean heritage and Japanese artistry; every dish was a conversation point, as each one was served, the bar was raised higher. Designed for sharing, we opted for Chef’s signature Tuna Carpaccio presented like a pizza and dressed with jalapeno, along with wagyu tacos, which arrived as a little trio, both playful and punchy. The black Miso cod, another signature dish, melted in the mouth and was packed with savoury flavour through its miso glaze. While the beef wellington was a feast for the eyes and taste buds, and the popcorn shrimp was something I would never have picked, but it was recommended to me, and it was incredible. And to finish, the chocolate tart showed off the kitchen’s technical ability and attention to detail. This is contemporary fine dining at its most inspirational.
Breakfast
After a thoroughly good sleep, I went down for breakfast, which is served in the lobby brasserie. The continental offering is generous, with a range of cold cuts, cheese, pastries and croissants along with fruits and cereals. The à la carte menu ranges from a full English to a vegan alternative, eggs Benedict in three formats, along with kimchi shakshuka, pakcakes and oatmeal. I can eat spicy food at any time of day and the Masala Omlette caught my eye. It was served freshly cooked with vivid colour and flavour, complete with a chilli salsa to take things up a spice notch further.
Spa & Wellness
The hotel has so many wonderful aspects and another is its subterranean wellness offering YĀTRĀ a Sanskrit word for ‘journey’. The space is vast, with four treatment rooms, including a double, a dedicated space for yoga, an infrared and traditional wood sauna, and a hydropull and jacuzzi, along with a gym.
Spa treatments include their Ojas Rejuvenation Ritual and Chakra Body Realign Ritual, both using personalised dosha oils; the Savasana Muscle Warming Potli Massage; Kansa Marma Point massage and facials; and the Shakti Divine Nurturing Body Therapy. Products are developed in collaboration with QMS Medicosmetics and Mauli Rituals. Post treatment, you are offered a tea ritual in partnership with Camellia’s Tea House.
Final Thoughts
The Moncalm Mayfair delivers something genuinely special, and the team should be very proud of it. In a city filled with luxury accommodation options, this is without doubt one of the finest.
