1 hotel mayfair foyer
Image: Mikkel Vang

Seeds of change: Taking a breather at the eco-led 1 Hotel Mayfair

30 Jan 2025 | | By Kari Colmans

There’s been a lot of willow waving about the relatively new 1 Hotel Mayfair, the first UK flagship from the US group famed for its botanical-draped interiors and green-centric values. Having opened in the summer of 2023, it operates on a mission-driven nature-first philosophy. Recently awarded an AA Sustainability Award and BREEAM Excellent rating, it is setting the standard for a new kind of luxury experience that doesn’t desecrate the planet in the process.

As I walk into the Green Park foyer, I am immediately cocooned in a warm and inviting, houseplant hug: there are 1,300 individual plants, shrubs and trees thriving throughout the property, totalling more than 200 local and regional species. The internal stress-release is immediate and managed without any god-awful Rainforest Café vibes. A total shift from most of the West End’s marble-clad, afternoon tea-serving foyers (which will always have a special place in London’s heart and heritage), it’s undeniably refreshing to experience something a little bit new and exciting.

1 hotel mayfair exterior
Image: Milo Brown

For starters, there’s not a top hat or tailcoat in sight. Now, don’t get me wrong – everyone loves a bit of British pomp and ceremony, whether you’re visiting from abroad or just treating yourself to a night in town – but I am immediately struck by how much more relaxed it feels when the staff are sporting chinos and cashmere, in a range of sage and woody hues. It isn’t quite Abercrombie casual (tops are on, although there must be some kind of chiselled cheekbone test to work here), but everyone is tailored to dress-down Friday perfection. Mostly in jeans, yoga pants and beanies, the pre-weekend afternoon foyer crowd is made up of young thirty-to-forty-somethings, casually sipping flat whites on the plush couches. The whole scene feels very Central Park, very Sunset Boulevard – very mindful.

Upon checking in, my husband and I are told we’ve been treated to an upgrade; a conversation I miss totally as I try to decipher whether the concierge’s lips are natural, and, if not, would it be weird to ask where she got them? So, you can imagine my delight and surprise when we open the big, wide, weighty door (something I really notice when strolling down the expansive, downright girthy, corridors), to the One Bedroom Skyline Terrace Suite, which is quite possibly the best London suite I’ve ever slept in.

Flooded with natural light and decked out in a calming, tasteful, neutral palette, the suite’s interior epitomises understated luxury. Timber flooring crafted from fallen British oak trees, soft beige linens, cream woven fabrics, and bamboo and wooden upholstery lean into the sumptuous, Malibu-meets-Mayfair ambience, and I am immediately compelled to throw down my shopping bags and sprawl on the L-shaped sofa, making a start on the gorgeous spread of fresh fruit, macarons and champagne that has been left as a welcome. The minibar is bulging with treats and handy, non-edible curiosities (travel accessories, condoms, candles, beauty products), as well as a range of mouth-watering unusual suspects (1Hotel is too progressive for ‘poisonous’ Pringles, obviously).

The voluminous free-standing bath beckons me for a mid-afternoon soak (when on a jolly and all that), and forms part of a stunning bathroom complete with Welsh slate vanities, a large shower, dressing room, and separate WC – which is always a must-have on a romantic weekend away. I don’t see the other 180 rooms, but I can imagine they’re equally beautiful.

1 hotel mayfair penthouse

We scrub up for the evening and head to Dover Yard, the hotel’s signature cocktail bar. It features an impressive sustainable drinks programme, and we enjoy a couple of strong and delicious margaritas. The crowd has obviously scrubbed up too, swapping the On Running trainers for big-boy and girl shoes, and the workout wear for skirts and shirts. The atmosphere is cool and buzzy, giving all the right Friday night feels.

Next, we head to Dovetale, by two Michelin-starred chef Tom Sellers. The décor takes a break from the bush-tucker theme, striking a more European-style brasserie note, and the vast space is filled with a balanced, eclectic crowd. Sat among the newly walkable Dover Yard (along with Neighbours, the hotel’s lively daytime café and evening bar), the intimate courtyard gives real ‘vacay’ vibes, brought to life by twinkling fairy lights. Currently experiencing all the joys of January, I can imagine how magical it feels at Christmas, or on a balmy July evening.

1 hotel mayfair terrace

Dovetale offers a responsibly-sourced, produce-led à la carte menu, enhanced by dishes cooked over the grill, as well as a tasty raw bar. With seasonally-led cooking at the core of its philosophy, when we visit there’s a wide range of English game concoctions, from venison buns and a pheasant, pork and venison terrine to braised rabbit pappardelle. We choose a range of less ‘hopping this morning’ options, going instead for an unctuous ‘made this morning’ burrata; a Harry’s Bar-inspired carpaccio of English Wagyu; and a gorgeous parmesan and black truffle laden gnocchi; followed by steak frites to share. The quirky pink knickerbocker glory cart, parked in the middle of the restaurant, is too tempting to resist and we embrace our inner children and go full throttle on the toppings. All the food delivers, with a cherry on top.

The evening’s indulgences call for a morning in the gym, which isn’t huge, but has everything I need. I don’t try any treatments, but on quick inspection the Bamford Wellness Spa looks pristine and inviting, meeting the impeccably high standards of the British brand’s trusted products and experiences.

1 hotel mayfair penthouse

Breakfast at Dovetale calls for a little more excess, with a range of pastries and standard English cooked favourites, but I nod to the Americans by ordering an ‘everything’ bagel, topped with avocado and poached eggs. The service is seamless, and West Hollywood-level smiley, from start to finish.

At every turn, my senses are tickled by woody, fresh scents, nature-influenced local art and, of course, those houseplants. The expansive sustainability methods and mechanisms in place are lengthy, impressive and well worth reading up on – there’s certainly no greenwashing going on here, and guests can choose to engage as much or as little as they desire during their stay.

A mossy beacon on Berkeley Street, this hotel brand, hailing from the US and only ten years old, is setting a new standard when it comes to luxury hotel stays in the capital. A welcome breather from the urban chaos, and presenting a total paradigm shift from the capital’s historical old guards, 1 Hotel Mayfair is forging a new path where the grass really may be greener.

Rooms from £500 per night, visit 1hotels.com

Read more: The best five-star hotels in London