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by Fiona Duncan, The Daily Telegraph, October 10, 2016
Opened in 1851, Flemings expanded to encompass 13 townhouses on Half Moon and Clarges Street. For the past 40 years, the Ghulati family have owned it, and the presiding feel remains that of a small, warmly-welcoming hotel, with personal service geared to individual guests.
Location 8/100
Though Half Moon Street isn’t particularly interesting, it is very well located for seeing London, with Mayfair, Bond Street, St James’s and Piccadilly all on the doorstep.
Style & character 8/100
The previously glitzy, ‘90s lobby and equally lurid lower floor restaurant and bar have been replaced with a far more tasteful interior, and the intimate yet glamorous Drawing Room makes a lovely place for drinks from the small bar, fulsome afternoon teas and light meals. The hotel has an intimate yet sophisticated feel, much helped by the kindly, smiling presence of guest services manager Branca Sabbagh.
Service & facilities 10/100
The general manager, who was in charge of Flemings’ major redesign and directs a more modern approach is Henrik Muelhe, who knows about small, family-run London hotels from his time at The Capital and its sister The Levin in Knightsbridge. Along with Branca, who has been at Flemings for 12 years, he has created a warm and welcoming presence in the lobby and the key staff are engaged and motivated, giving the feel of a small hotel with personal service geared to individual guests.
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Wi-Fi
Rooms 9/100
The bedrooms and suites are the work of Tony Filmer and are serene, glamourous, intelligent, mildly Art Deco. You feel like a traveller from a more graceful age in them. Touches like the sleek silver backed fiddleback sycamore furnishings, reading lights embedded in the wings of the headboards and lavish honesty gin bars in the suites all add unexpected dashes of luxury. The Courtyard Suites, with very private patios, are delightful. Walls are adorned with specially commissioned black and white photographs of actors, writers and fashion luminaries, all of whom posed at the hotel for photographer Andy Gott.
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Food & drink 9/100
Shaun Rankin’s first London restaurant, bearing the same name as his Michelin-starred establishment in Jersey, Ormer, opened in September 2016. His food is sublime and Jersey fresh, with fish dishes prominent on the menu and an admirably straightforward approach, putting the ingredients first. Wines from the knowledgeable sommelier are excellent and the service, led by restaurant manager Anouska, who came from the Greenhouse and previously Ormer in Jersey, is second to none.
Value for money 8/100
Excellent. Room prices are fair for such a well equipped, now good looking, very central hotel. Doubles are available from £250 per night, including breakfast.
Access for guests with disabilities?
Yes; ground floor rooms are wheelchair accessible.
Family-friendly?
Yes, though not particularly suitable for children.
7-12 Half Moon Street, Mayfair, London W1J 7BH, England.020 7499 0000flemings-mayfair.co.uk
This article was written by Fiona Duncan from The Daily Telegraph and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.
