By Jean-Paul Cavalletti
Travel & Restaurant Reviewer at DineWithJP
Independent review • Personally visited
I’ve been lucky enough to stay at some good hotels over the years, mostly in London and across Europe. You start to realize that a famous name and high prices don’t always mean you’ll have a great experience.
I spent three nights at The Connaught to see what it’s actually like. This is just what I found—the parts that impressed me and the parts that didn’t.
Walking up Carlos Place in Mayfair on a crisp January morning, I found myself wondering: can a hotel that’s been welcoming guests since 1815 truly justify room rates exceeding £900 per night?
Does heritage alone command such prices, or does The Connaught deliver something genuinely exceptional? After spending three days immersed in this Mayfair institution, I have answers—some expected, others surprising.
The Connaught’s story begins in 1815, when it opened as the Prince of Saxe-Coburg Hotel—a pair of Georgian houses on Charles Street near Grosvenor Square.
The hotel was rebuilt in 1897 after the Duke of Westminster redeveloped the area, and during World War I, its German-sounding name was changed to The Connaught, honoring Queen Victoria’s third son, Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught.
During World War II, Charles de Gaulle lived in suite 103 for roughly two years, reportedly walking to nearby meetings where D-Day landings were planned with General Eisenhower. This wasn’t just a hotel—it was a discreet stage for history.
In 2007, The Connaught underwent a £70 million restoration led by designers Guy Oliver and the late David Collins, reopening in December 2007 with 121 rooms, the Aman Spa, and what would become the twice-crowned World’s Best Bar.
The moment the doorman opened my taxi door, I sensed something different. There was no ostentatious fanfare, no eager bellhops swarming.
Instead, a single, impeccably dressed doorman greeted me by name—somehow they’d tracked my arrival—and handled everything with quiet efficiency. This became The Connaught’s defining characteristic: understated elegance that never announces itself.
The lobby strikes an intriguing balance. Dark wood paneling and a sweeping central staircase (famously replicated by Ralph Lauren for his Madison Avenue flagship in 1970) anchor the space in tradition.
Yet contemporary art punctuates every corner—works by Damien Hirst, Barbara Hepworth, Graham Sutherland, and Louise Bourgeois remind you this is no museum. The carpet felt unusually plush underfoot, almost floating, which sounds absurd until you experience it.
I stayed in a Deluxe Room designed by Guy Oliver, and immediately noticed the neutral palette—soft greys, creams, and honey tones that felt calming rather than bland. The queen bed, with its cashmere throw and Egyptian cotton linens, proved remarkably comfortable. Heated bathroom floors, Dyson hairdryers, and Surrenne amenities added modern touches without overwhelming the classic British atmosphere.
My room included a marble bathroom with both a soaking tub and separate shower, hand-etched glassware, and a minibar that was complimentary—a thoughtful gesture at this price point. The personal butler service meant my preferences were noted within hours: extra pillows appeared unprompted, and my preferred newspaper waited outside my door each morning.
Here’s where honesty matters: some rooms at The Connaught are genuinely small. During research, I found multiple guest complaints about entry-level rooms where suitcases blocked doors and bathrooms felt cramped. The hotel ranges from 21 square meters to 350 square meters across its 121 rooms and suites, and at over £900 nightly, discovering your room barely fits your luggage feels jarring. When booking, explicitly request a larger room category or ask detailed questions about square footage.
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught earned its third Michelin star in 2021, joining an elite club. The dining room, redesigned by Pierre Yovanovitch, features blush tones, curved lines, and deep velvet seating that feels intimate despite the accolades. Small pots of Espelette pepper on each table replace traditional black pepper—a signature touch from Darroze’s southwestern French heritage.
The menu philosophy centers on provenance. Rather than chef-driven bombast, dishes are built around extraordinary ingredients: Crab from Davrik, Cornwall, or Lamb from North Wales. I opted for the five-course Taste of the Season menu at £225. Standouts included veal sweetbread with remarkable depth and the signature Baba dessert, served with a selection of Armagnacs from Darroze’s family estate—her brother Marc Darroze produces them. The wine list features over 3,000 bins and 20,000 bottles, including by-the-glass options like Dom Pérignon P2 and Château Pétrus.
The service struck that rare balance: attentive without hovering, knowledgeable without pretension. However, at £210-£225 for the tasting menus plus wine pairings starting at £145, this represents a significant investment even by London three-star standards.
The Connaught Bar earned the title of World’s Best Bar twice (2012 and 2016, the only bar to achieve this) and topped the World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2020 and 2021. Director of Mixology Agostino Perrone has created something genuinely special here. The Art Deco-inspired space, designed by David Collins, features textured walls in platinum silver leaf and an atmosphere that manages to feel simultaneously exclusive and welcoming.
The martini trolley represents cocktail theater at its finest. Perrone or his team wheel the sleek black lacquer trolley to your table, presenting an array of house-made bitters—tonka bean, lavender, bergamot and ginseng. Your martini glass is chilled with slow-frozen ice, then Perrone guides you through creating your perfect martini. Mine featured the Connaught Bar gin (blended on-site), their house vermouth, and tonka bean bitters. The ritual, the craft, the personal attention—this isn’t just mixing drinks; it’s hospitality as performance art.
Cocktails run £22-£28, which feels steep until you experience the precision and service. The bar operates without stools—service comes to your table, emphasizing the personalized approach.
For less formal dining, Jean-Georges Vongerichten oversees Jean-Georges at The Connaught, offering all-day dining with globally-inspired dishes, and The Connaught Grill, which reopened under his direction with British classics reimagined. The Grill focuses on wood-fired cooking and rotisserie, with premium cuts including Aberdeen Angus and Kobe beef.
Breakfast at Jean-Georges (£45 per person) delivered excellently: perfectly poached eggs, fresh pastries, and robust coffee. However, guest reviews of The Connaught Grill have been mixed, with some noting the restaurant lacks the vibrancy and excellence expected at this level.
Descending to the Aman Spa felt like entering another world. This is the first Aman Spa built outside an Aman resort, and it brings their holistic wellness philosophy to Mayfair. The 60-square-meter black granite pool, illuminated with soft Moroccan-inspired lighting and featuring a cascading water wall, immediately captivates. At 1.2 meters deep, it’s substantial enough for proper swimming—a rarity in central London hotel spas.
The steam room, infused with essential oils, and the Technogym-equipped fitness center complete the facilities. Only hotel guests and Aman Spa members have access, keeping it blissfully uncrowded.
I booked the Grounding Spa Ritual Journey, a three-hour experience beginning with a foot bath ritual and holistic consultation. The treatment incorporated massage, body polish and wrap, and a face ritual using Aman Skincare products with amethyst powder—known for promoting peacefulness. The therapist’s skill and the treatment room’s design (private dressing area, shower, organic linens) created genuine relaxation. Treatments start around £195 for 60 minutes and scale upward, with the three-hour journey commanding premium pricing.
Exceptional service with genuine warmth: From doormen who remembered my name to butlers who anticipated needs before I voiced them, The Connaught’s staff consistently delivered service that felt personal rather than scripted. This wasn’t robotic five-star efficiency—it was authentic hospitality.
The Connaught Bar’s martini trolley experience: This justifies a visit on its own. Agostino Perrone and his team have elevated cocktail-making into genuine theater, combining precision, knowledge, and warmth. Sitting in that Art Deco room, watching your bespoke martini come together, represents hospitality excellence.
Hélène Darroze’s three-Michelin-star dining: The focus on ingredient provenance, the intimate dining room, and the technical mastery delivered a memorable meal. The Baba dessert with family Armagnacs provided a genuinely special conclusion.
The Aman Spa sanctuary: That black granite pool, the expert treatments, and the genuinely peaceful atmosphere create a wellness experience that matches the Aman reputation. For hotel spas in central London, this stands among the finest.
Inconsistent room sizes create disappointment: At rates exceeding £900 nightly, discovering your room struggles to accommodate luggage feels unacceptable. Multiple guests reported cramped spaces, narrow bathrooms, and poor room assignments. The hotel’s room inventory ranges dramatically in size, and entry-level categories can feel genuinely small for the price commanded.
Pricing strains even at luxury levels: Breakfast costs £45 per person. Valet parking runs £70 nightly. Spa treatments start around £195. When room rates already exceed £900, these additional charges feel excessive. Comparable luxury properties often include breakfast or offer more generous inclusions.
Mixed experiences at The Connaught Grill: While Jean-Georges Vongerichten brings pedigree, recent guest reviews note the Grill lacks the expected vibrancy and consistent excellence. Some found food quality disappointing relative to price, with one reviewer stating it “seems to have lost its way.”
The Connaught delivers an exceptional hotel experience—but with important caveats. This is not a hotel for those seeking the best value in London luxury. You’ll pay premium rates not just for rooms but for nearly everything: breakfast, parking, spa access beyond basic use. What you receive in return is genuine heritage, outstanding service, world-class dining and drinking options, and access to one of London’s finest spas.
The hotel succeeds magnifically at creating an atmosphere of understated British elegance infused with contemporary artistry. The service genuinely stands out—this isn’t performative hospitality but staff who seem to care about your experience. The Connaught Bar justifies a visit regardless of where you stay in London.
However, the inconsistent room sizes remain problematic. If you book an entry-level room category at over £900 per night and encounter a cramped space, disappointment feels inevitable. The hotel’s range—from 21 to 350 square meters—means experiences vary dramatically depending on which room you receive.
Is it worth it? For those who value exceptional service, prime Mayfair location, access to world-class bars and dining, and don’t mind paying for nearly every amenity separately, yes. The Connaught offers a refined experience that few London hotels match. For travelers seeking better value in luxury accommodation, or those frustrated by nickel-and-diming at premium rates, alternatives exist.
This hotel is perfect for:
Skip this hotel if:
Address: Carlos Place, Mayfair, London W1K 2AL
Getting There: Bond Street Underground Station is a seven-minute walk (Central and Jubilee lines). Heathrow Airport is approximately 49 minutes by car. The hotel offers car service, though expect premium pricing.
Room Rates: Expect £900-£2,000+ per night depending on season and room category. Entry-level Deluxe Rooms start around £900, but consider upgrading to Superior Rooms or Junior Suites for more generous space. The cheapest rates generally occur in September and February.
Booking Strategy:
Important Details:
Dining Reservations:
What’s Included: Wi-Fi, butler service, minibar items, access to Aman Spa facilities (treatments cost extra), and use of fitness center
What Costs Extra: Breakfast (£45pp), valet parking (£70/night), spa treatments (from £195), airport transfers, room service
No, breakfast is not included and costs £45 per person when served at Jean-Georges at The Connaught. Some booking packages may include breakfast, so check your specific offer.
The pool and spa facilities are exclusively for hotel guests and Aman Spa members. You cannot access the pool with just a treatment booking—you must either stay at the hotel or purchase a membership.
Absolutely. The martini trolley experience and the bar’s atmosphere justify a visit regardless of where you’re staying in London. Reservations are recommended, though walk-ins are accepted when space permits. Expect to spend £22-£28 per cocktail.
Some entry-level Deluxe Rooms can feel cramped, particularly for guests with multiple suitcases. Room sizes range from 21 to 350 square meters across the property. If space matters to you, explicitly request a larger room when booking or consider upgrading to a Superior Room or Junior Suite.
Smart casual to business casual is appropriate. While not strictly formal, guests tend to dress up for this three-Michelin-star experience. Avoid athletic wear, flip-flops, or overly casual attire.
Children are welcome, and the hotel provides babysitting services and children’s menus. However, the atmosphere is distinctly adult-oriented. The Aman Spa offers family-friendly swimming times (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM), which suggests they accommodate families, but this isn’t the hotel’s primary focus.
Yes, non-guests can book spa treatments, but you won’t have access to the pool, steam room, or fitness facilities without being a hotel guest or purchasing a membership. Online booking is limited to 60 days in advance.
Both are Maybourne properties in Mayfair. Claridge’s offers more glamorous, Art Deco-style interiors and a livelier atmosphere. The Connaught tends toward understated elegance with a quieter, more discreet vibe. Claridge’s is often considered more visually spectacular, while The Connaught is frequently praised for superior service and better dining options (thanks to Hélène Darroze’s three Michelin stars).
Book directly for the best rates and room selection
Jean-Paul Cavalletti is a travel and restaurant reviewer and the founder of
DineWithJP. Based in the UK, he specialises in independent reviews of luxury hotels,
restaurants, bars, food markets, and destination dining across Europe.
All reviews published on DineWithJP are written from first-hand experience, with a focus on food quality,
service, atmosphere, and value — always independently and without editorial influence.
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