Suite Spot: The Westbury, London
Opened in 1955 as London’s first American-owned five-star hotel, the Westbury remains a posh oasis in the Mayfair district.
Opened in 1955 as London’s first American-owned five-star hotel, the Westbury remains a posh oasis in the Mayfair district.
Photo: The WestburyMarble columns and plush furniture in the Westbury’s lobby set the tone for the intimate hotel in London’s center of high finance and fashion.
Marble columns and plush furniture in the Westbury’s lobby set the tone for the intimate hotel in London’s center of high finance and fashion.
Photo: The Westbury, Credited To: "matthewshaw.co.uk"Named for the renowned fish market in Tokyo, Tsukiji Sushi is one of three high-end dining options at the Westbury in London.
Named for the renowned fish market in Tokyo, Tsukiji Sushi is one of three high-end dining options at the Westbury in London.
Photo: The Westbury, Credited To: "matthewshaw.co.uk"One of the newest members of Starwood’s Luxury Collection, the Westbury has a much longer pedigree as the first American-owned five-star hotel in London, having opened in 1955. Its central location in tony Mayfair — known for fashion, finance and foreign relations — has helped it attract numerous celebrities and heads of state. Last year, the Westbury invested millions in a makeover, so any appropriately funded guest can feel like a VIP.
Setting: Between the designer boutiques of New Bond Street and the tailors of Savile Row, amid an architectural gamut from Georgian to modern mid-rise buildings. It’s an easy walk to anywhere in London’s West End, especially the less-pricey shops of Carnaby Street and theaters of Piccadilly Circus.
The appeal:Posh pied-a-terre. The Westbury’s recent renovations, which reduced the total number of rooms to 225 but increased the number of suites, brought Italian fabrics, redwood paneling, marble bathrooms and Nespresso machines. In-house dining is pricey but suitably exquisite, from the inventive seasonal cuisine of Michelin-starred chef Alyn Williams to artfully presented morsels at Tsukiji Sushi and expert cocktails at the discreetly clubby Polo Bar.
Insider’s tips: Prix-fixe lunches at Alyn Williams and Tsukiji Sushi offer the best values year-round, while the Polo Bar serves an elegant afternoon tea, but only in summer. For quiet respite, walk through the towering trees of Mount Street Gardens, hidden behind mansions with a picturesque church at either end. Also within a 10-minute walk, the similarly obscured Shepherd’s Market offers a jumble of quaint pubs and restaurants.
Good to know:Standard and luxury king rooms are rather cozy — 258 and 301 square feet, respectively. For longer stays, consider upgrading to one of 64 suites, the smallest at 388 square feet, with sofa, walk-in shower and separate bath. Many Mayfair restaurants have dress codes (typically collared shirts for men and no running shoes).
Details:37 Conduit St., London. + 44 (207) 629-7755, reservations + 44 (208) 382 6194, www.westburymayfair.com. Kings from $340, luxury kings from $470 and suites from $498; rates include the United Kingdom’s 20 percent value added tax.
— Jeanne Cooper
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