If you're anything like me, then you've probably shunned Mayfair as an impossible unaffordable place to stay. What's there? Hotels where the afternoon tea service costs as much as a night in an average property, and there are no prices on anything as if you need to ask, then you definitely can't afford it.
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That's what I figured, anyway, until that is I was lucky enough to stay at the Holiday Inn Mayfair. Wait a minute, I hear you ask, what's the catch? Is it in some werdly unfashionable part of the neighbourhood, hidden behind some bins? Well, no it isn't. It's in a prime spot right next to Green Park, the tube station of the same name and all of the blatant swankery of this plum part of town.
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I would go one further, in fact, and say that it's in a near-ideal location within Mayfair, being as it is equidistant from both the West End AND Hyde Park, so whether it's the capital's most famous shopping district or it's best-loved greenery you're after, you don't have far to walk either way.
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Anyway, with much relief on a satisfyingly hot day, I took a minute's stroll from Green Park tube to the bright lobby, where the staff were as welcoming as the weather. Professional and courteous, I heard them speak at least four languages in the short time I was checking in, which verges on showing off, and would be if they weren't all so damn charming.
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The hotel itself is a big city hotel, some 200 or so rooms and as busy as you'd expect for central London. There's a feeling of space, though, and even though it was peak season, I didn't feel at all crowded.
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The rooms are fairly standard, but noticeably bright and clean, colourful and airy. And many of them have stirring views of some of the capital's well-known views, the grand buildings around Green Park, the bustle of tourists and central London life. It's all quite pleasing.
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The pleasantry continues downstairs in the hotel's bar and restaurant, Nightingales. The decor is modern, stylish without being stuffy and it's an affordable option, particularly in these parts.
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I encountered the serving staff under unusual circumstances. I was late down for breakfast, and they delayed clearing the last of the tasty buffet to let me sit down and grab a bite and a coffee. Due to a weird timetable that day, I was also first down to lunch (I'm not usually such a glutton, just it would be a long time before I could eat again) and so there was a slightly awkward (on my part) "here I am again" moment as the same breakfast staff sat me down.
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No matter, the lovely server sat me down and we made a few jokes about my appetite and a potentially eggy situation was made perfectly enjoyable by the personal touch. Oh, and the food - at both breakfast and my lunch two hours later - was light, fresh and delicious.
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I had a few minor business tasks that again, the reception desk were happy to help me with, and with that I was on my way, stepping out into Mayfair, feeling all the while as if I'd found a loophole in the law that says you have to spend a fortune to stay here. The sunshine seemed even brighter that morning.
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For a quote or to book a room at Holiday Inn London Mayfair please contact 0871 942 9110 and quote ? IKSOP? or log onto? http://www.hilondonmayfairhotel.co.uk/
Berkeley St 3, London, UK
Contact tel: +44 0871 9429110
Cost standard double room: ???
Services fitness equipment, hotel restaurant, hotel bar, creche/listening service, room service, business services, internet access, wheelchair accessible, concierge, air-conditioning
Useful links
Holiday Inn London Mayfair
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