GETAWAYS
SANCTUARY , ART AND DELECTABLE DINING IN THE HEART OF MAYFAIR
THERE IS A MAGICAL FEELING ABOUT MAYFAIR , A NOTORIOUSLY DISTINGUISHED AREA OF CENTRAL LONDON BORDERED BY LEAFY HYDE PARK TO THE WEST , OXFORD STREET TO THE NORTH , PICCADILLY TO THE SOUTH AND REGENT STREET TO THE EAST . THIS NOTORIETY HOWEVER , ESPECIALLY WHEN CONTEXTUALISED BY SUCH A PRESTIGIOUS SET OF SURROUNDING POSTCODES , HAS ALSO CEMENTED THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT THE LOCALE – THAT MAYFAIR IS STUFFY , STEEPED IN TRADITION AND SOMEWHERE RESERVED ONLY FOR THE WEALTHY TO SPLASH THEIR CASH . THIS COULD NOT BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH . IN FACT , MAYFAIR IS A VIBRANT , DIVERSE AND ARTSY DISTRICT WITH A REAL SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND SOME OF THE FINEST FOOD IN THE CAPITAL . BY POLLY HUMPHRIS
THE DANDY BAR ALFIE
Invited to live like a Mayfair local for a curated ‘ stay , dine and explore ’ experience that highlighted some of the area ’ s most exciting insider spots , of course I jumped at the chance , not least because I ’ d heard positive whispers about the extremely stylish and imaginative lifestyle hotel , The Mayfair Townhouse . Bordering Green Park , one of London ’ s eight Royal Parks and a serene , 40- acre sanctuary of tall trees and lush grass , the hotel is forged from a row of 15 Georgian townhouses and is an intriguing surprise from the get-go .
Putting me very much in mind of 12 Grimmauld Place – the magical , expanding headquarters in Harry Potter and the
Order of Phoenix – the entrance to The Mayfair Townhouse is , apart from three proud flagpoles and an impeccably dressed doorman that man the building , modest . Far smaller than the expansive wonderland it gives way to inside , this is instantly reassuring as first impressions evoke the charm and character of an intimate boutique hotel although there ’ s actually 172 rooms inside , as well as a fabulous cocktail bar – The Dandy Bar – which has the glamour and essence of a private club , just without the frills of a membership .
Like an artist ’ s residence , the hotel ’ s interior is theatrical with a part Oscar Wilde , part Alice in Wonderland décor that references the flamboyance of bohemian London ’ s Bright Young Things , but with not one single ounce of antiquity or ‘ theme ’. Anything but conceited , it is instead very contemporary and very cool – think flashes of tropical print , cobalt and red ; ornate art-deco fittings that emit a golden glow ; a handpicked and quirky modern art collection adorning the gallerylike walls ; and , of course , Alfie , the peacock sculpture made from 25,000 Swarovski crystals who greets you in the lobby .
Although guests can eat either in-room or in the low-lit comfort of The Dandy Bar from a delicious all-day menu featuring light bites , burgers and a selection of homestyled mains , food isn ’ t the top draw here ,
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