London has an overwhelming number of five-star stays. With so many world-class options, even the most elite properties have to work that much harder to stand out and court discerning travelers. The oldest hotel in the city, Brown's Hotel, a Rocco Forte Hotel, which recently celebrated its 193rd birthday, is unmatched in both history and pedigree: Rudyard Kipling penned The Jungle Book at his beloved second home. Agatha Christie, Mark Twain, and Joseph Conrad all checked in back in the day. Queen Victoria used to come for high tea.
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- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily Full Breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
- $100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
- Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
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But what sets this stalwart apart from the rest of the upscale pack extends well beyond its heritage. A landmark in the heart of Mayfair, steps from designer shopping, Brown’s Hotel holds on tight to its timeless cachet while adapting to the luxury leanings of modern-day travelers. It’s posh and polished without pretense.
Sure, a place with this much literary and cultural significance could easily rest on its laurels, letting the paint chip in the name of preserving history or relying on tales of yesteryear to remain relevant. But that’s just not the way Brown's Hotel does things.
Tucked inside the enduring facade, glamorous interiors, spruced up by Olga Polozzi, respect the sophisticated legacy of the hotel while reminding visitors it’s perfectly acceptable to laugh out loud and order a second martini. Whimsical touches await around every corner. The corridors and front hall are plastered with bespoke wallpaper. Turquoise upholstery, mahogany paneling, bespoke Chelini chandeliers, and botanical motifs mingle at the elegant all-day restaurant Charlie’s. It’s also the perfect setting for a quintessentially British Sunday roast. Another deeply English experience, afternoon tea is served in The Drawing Room.
Decorated with iconic Terence Donovan photographs and brass accents, the dimly lit Donaven Bar is a swanky spot for sipping cocktails curated by maestro Salvatore Calabrese. In addition to slogging back tipples like the Spice Fifty and Flower Power, patrons can nibble on new dishes from celebrated, Michelin-starred Scottish chef Tom Kitchin. With any luck, you might even be able to nab the “Naughty Corner,” a cheeky name for the sought-after back booth.
Rooms are spacious and muted in tone (perfect for a restful moment while bustling London awaits below). Lavish suites add extra pizzazz with mixed patterns, contemporary art, shelves full of classic books, and walk-in wardrobes. Bathrooms come stocked with Irene Forte bath products. Turndown amenities include sachets of the brand’s cult-favorite overnight cream. In the morning, after a restorative snooze on high thread-count sheets, guests can even enjoy a bathrobe breakfast in the comfort of their accommodations. There’s also a lovely subterranean spa for glow-boosting organic facials and massages.
Given its high marks across the board, mentioning the level of service almost feels redundant. But the personal care and attention guests receive at Brown's Hotel deserves its due. The concierge team is phenomenal. Every member of the team, from the top-hat-clad doorman to reception, strikes the balance between professional and friendly (a surprisingly difficult feat to execute). Having someone unpack and repack is perhaps the greatest luxury for a jet-lagged traveler at the start of a stay as well as for those who don’t want to Tetris new duds into an already crammed suitcase the morning of a flight. Then again, a ride in the house Bentley reads pretty ritzy as well.
Top Takeaways
Location: Mayfair, London, United Kingdom
Rating: Five-Star
The Vibe: A British landmark with loads of contemporary charisma.
Food + Drink: Charlie’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a stand-out Sunday roast. Sip a spot of tea in The Drawing Room. The Donovan Bar is the place to be for aperitivo, a digestif, or late-night cocktails.
Amenities: 2 restaurants; 1 bar; 24-hour in-room dining; spa; gym; airport/station transfers; concierge; packing/unpacking service; same-day laundry and pressing service; shoe shine service; house Bentley; valet parking
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: It’s a three-way tie between the unpacking service, Irene Forte products, and the cocktails at the Donovan Bar.
5 Nearby Attractions: Old Bond Street; The Green Park; Buckingham Palace; Hyde Park; Soho
Any Personal Neighborhood Recs? When dining and drinking in Mayfair, be prepared to splurge. Breakfast at The Wolseley means the signature fish cake with poached eggs and hollandaise. Lunch is an equally decadent affair complete with crustacean platters and caviar. For a spare-no-expense meal of kid goat methi keema and tandoori masala lamb chops, reserve a table on the crimson-cocooned lower floor of the Michelin two-starred Gymkhana.
Rooms: 115 rooms and suites — we’re partial to the gorgeous Kipling Suite, complete with a monkey statue, hand-painted wallpaper, and a framed handwritten letter from the author
Pricing: Rooms start at $1,028/night
Closest Airport: Heathrow Airport (LHW)
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