London Calling: Why The Biltmore Mayfair Is An Ideal Retreat For A Honeymoon In The Big Smoke | The Escape
A regal hotel in the heart of England’s capital, Editor Nina Catt discovers the old-world charm of The Biltmore Mayfair
To describe London as a city bursting with surprises would be a complete understatement. If you’re lucky enough to pound the pavement on an autumnal day where crispy-golden leaves speckle the sun-lit pathways, something unexpected awaits at every corner.
I’m travelling on the Central Line of the capital’s illustrious underground watching passengers hop-on and hop-off at each station, pondering where they are going or where they have been – a repeat occurrence each time I’m back in the city I grew up nearby. One of those locations where everybody appears to be in a hurry, love or loathe the pace, there is something about London’s buzz that continuously captures my heart. Excitement is always afoot and it feels as if you could pluck opportunities and adventures from the air.
I’m spending the weekend at The Biltmore Mayfair, a stone’s throw from Bond Street. Formally the four-star Millennium hotel, the grandiose property emerged in five-star splendour in 2019 just a few months before Covid-19 locked down England. Fast forward to 2022, The Biltmore Mayfair has awoken from its enforced slumber with aplomb, and is finally able to flaunt its fine plume of feathers, complete with lavish suites, refined dining and private Bentley excursions around The Big Smoke and quaint English countryside.
Upon arrival to its Edwardian flag-flanked façade, a cheerful doorman ushered me inside. “Welcome,” he smiled with a tip of his hat. I felt like I’d stepped back in time. With equal measures of classic and contemporary touches, glamour ensues in the lobby, peppered with abstract objet d’art and a glistening central chandelier.
The weight of the hotel’s storied past is evident upon a quick stroll around its corridors with each of its signature suites named after iconic political visitors from the 1900s. Rooms are elegantly distinguished offering stunning views of London, many with a view over leafy Grosvenor Square. Styled in a neutral colour palette with lavish accents, statement furniture and a striking chevron floor, all of the mod-cons for a home-away-from-home stay have been thought of. Chic marble bathrooms feature oversized tubs, spa-like showers and his-and-hers plush robes and slippers. An abundance of Penhaligon’s amenities further add to the uber-luxe feel.
In partnership with iconic British fragrance house Penhaligon’s, the hotel can arrange a curated olfactory experience and personalised scent journey at the perfumer’s flagship boutique just a couple of blocks away. Other excursions include VIP shopping experiences at three of London’s famed stores – Harrods, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols, as well as private chauffeur-driven Bentley tours where you’ll visit the capital’s biggest attractions or head out to Surrey – an hour outside of London – to discover national parks and charming villages. The hotel will arrange lunch in Shere village and if you’re lucky, you may spot the White Horse Tavern where scenes from one of my favourite movies, The Holiday were shot.
Back at the hotel, dinner is served at Café Biltmore, the beating heart of the property with its tropical-plant-filled heated terrace and menu focusing on fine-dining comfort food. Seafood and wood-fired meats are at the fore of the chef’s recommendations. Head to Pine Bar for an experimental cocktail served in a smoking glass by suave waiters dressed in red velvet jackets, and save time during your stay to sample a traditional Afternoon Tea experience in the lobby lounge.
With the West End’s finest theatres, art galleries, museums, parks and other cultural hotspots on its doorstep, there’s a reason why Mayfair is the most expensive street on a British Monopoly board. What better way to begin married life than by discovering London’s spectacular scene from one of the world’s most exclusive addresses?
Rooms from Dhs3,600 per night with breakfast; Hilton.com
Images courtesy of The Biltmore Mayfair