March 12, 2018
Slumber Party: The Mandeville Hotel, London
Matthew Wexler READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Located in a quaint London neighborhood that might not be on your immediate radar, the Mandeville Hotel is cozy chic and just far enough off the beaten path that you'll be able to unwind in preparation for your holiday adventure.
International designers converged on the Mandeville for a �15 million renovation of the Edwardian-period property some time ago, yet it still feels fresh and has been beautifully maintained, thanks in part, to a friendly staff that is quick to offer recommendations for nearby attractions and dining. The property is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts' Lifestyle Collection, which offers access to local culture and style.
Accommodations range from "tiny rooms" for the solo traveler to the terrace suite, which features a private roof terrace and elegant pink marble bath (stocked with Molton Brown products). For a bit more extravagant design flair, be sure to book one of the newly refurbished Deluxe Riviera rooms, designed by Maison Christian Lacroix.
The four rooms each tell a different visual story, from Midnight Blue and Jardin Exotique to Classic Lacroix, while the brightly colored Jewel Box, inspired by Grace Kelly's stolen Cartier jewels, is a breathtakingly vibrant exploration of texture and color.
A proper English meal can be had at the Mandeville's Reform Social & Grill. Start your day with a hearty English breakfast or return to the hotel for a requisite afternoon tea. Traditional afternoon tea service offers the expected small sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, and sweet treats. Gentlemen's Tea provides hearty roast beef in Yorkshire pudding, crispy haddock, and Welsh rarebit.
Bar service pays tribute to classic cocktails such as the Negroni and Sazerac, but it's Reform's signature shake-ups that shine, such as the Hibiscus Martini, featuring gin, green tea and hibiscus liqueur, rhubarb bitters, coconut water, and elderflower liqueur.
Book a master class and enjoy a welcome cocktail upon arrival along with a cocktail-making class with head resident mixologist and a platter of nibbles to enjoy throughout. Traveling in a group? Order one of the large format punches for family-style imbibing.
When you're ready to hit the city streets, the Mandeville Hotel has you covered with a complimentary handy Smartphone. The device includes free local and international calls (limited countries) on a 3G network and virtual concierge service with recommendations as well as real-time connection to hotel staff.
Various hotel packages are offered throughout the year such as Extravagant Easter, which includes special holiday treats, English breakfast, and a rate of �173 per room; three-night Extended Weekend, which offers 25 percent discount of best available room rate across all categories; or a London Shopping Break, which includes discount vouchers for select retailers and other perks.
Plan Your Day
There's plenty to explore throughout Marylebone, so hit the streets and discover these gems:
The Koppel Project -- This culture hub features two exhibition spaces, Phaidon's only UK bookshop where you can find a range of creative titles, along with a fair trade coffee shop. Its recent exhibition, "Breaking Shells" focused on the female body and featured nine contemporary artists.
The Koppel Project also supports 100 artist studios called The Hive. Bi-annually, The Hive opens to the public for a rare glimpse into the creative minds of breakthrough artists. (The next open studio dates are May 17-19, 2018).
Picture -- Quintessentially British but with comeback cuisine philosophy that reimagines classics, Picture recently celebrated its one-year anniversary and has become a favorite both tourists and locals alike. The thoughtful six-course menu at �45 is a hidden gem and evolves seasonally, though if you're lucky, it will include one of the restaurant's signature dishes: press ham hock and pork cheek with quince, fennel and pickled onion.
The Sherlock Holmes Museum -- Learn about one of the world's greatest sleuths at this quaint museum, located at the famous address 221b Baker Street.
ZSL London Zoo -- Get wild at the ZSL London Zoo and spend an afternoon among Pygmy hippos, Galapagos tortoises, and the new Land of the Lions, where you can come face to face with Asiatic lions, Hanuman langurs, vultures, and more.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts is a global portfolio of independent hotels and independent hotel experiences celebrating 50 years of inspiring travel around the world.
Matthew Wexler is EDGE's Senior Editor, Features & Branded Content. More of his writing can be found at www.wexlerwrites.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @wexlerwrites.
This story is part of our special report: "Slumber Party". Want to read more? Here's the full list.
