An inspector calls … A review of the Mayfair Townhouse Hotel in London

Brave? Bold? Insane? Whatever it is, there can’t be many worse times opening a new hotel than when hardly anyone is around to stay.

But that didn’t stop a number of top-end London openings, including The Mayfair Townhouse, a super-chic former Hilton near Piccadilly and near Green Park.

As a member of the expanding group of iconic luxury hotels – which includes Cliveden and Chewton Glen – this is a daunting undertaking that includes no fewer than 15 fully remodeled Georgian townhouses.

There are 172 rooms in the Mayfair Townhouse. The inspector says his room (not shown) could have used a splash of color

The inspector liked its white marble bathroom with his and hers sinks, walk-in shower, and freestanding tub

There are 172 rooms and while there is no restaurant as such, the glamorous Dandy Cocktail Bar has a great all-day menu.

The design and feel pay homage to Half Moon Street’s Louche past, where amateurs and bachelors like Oscar Wilde misbehaved.

I notice a peacock near the front desk. It turns out to be made up of 25,000 Swarovski crystals. In the basement where breakfast is served is a semi-private cave with tangerine walls and dozens of pictures with foxes.

Some of the artwork have QR barcodes in case you want to learn more about them.

I ask one employee who is invariably optimistic about the difference between a townhouse and a hotel.

“A townhouse is less formal and friendlier,” he says.

The extravagance from below does not extend all the way up.

My plush room is dark, with a black leather headboard and brown chairs. It’s a touch of manhood and could use a pop of color.

It could also benefit from simpler lighting. What’s wrong with a dimmer?

And it is frustrating not to be able to open the windows, especially in such an old and impressive building.

Townhouse Mayfair is part of the growing group of Iconic Luxury Hotels, which includes Cliveden and Chewton Glen. The hotel reception is shown

The hotel’s dandy bar, which, according to the inspector, offers a “great all-day menu”. It is watched over by a peacock made from 25,000 Swarovski crystals

The inspector explains that the Mayfair Townhouse is “a nice addition to the capital’s hotel scene”. He adds, “It deserves to flourish, not least because of the bold timing of its opening.” The hotel’s club room is shown

In the basement is a semi-private cave with tangerine walls and dozens of pictures of foxes

But we love the white marble bathroom with his and hers sinks, walk-in shower, and freestanding tub.

Downstairs in the bar the masks are off and the taste buds are full. I order three small plates: artichoke croquettes, padron peppers, truffles and parmesan arancini.

They are all spectacular, as is the cod main course. When the food is that good it will be tempting to open a proper restaurant downstairs.

The Mayfair Townhouse is a nice addition to the capital’s hotel scene. It deserves to thrive, not least because of the bold timing of its opening.