1 Hotels, the nature-inspired mission-driven hotel brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, has announced the official opening of 1 Hotel Mayfair, its UK flagship and first European destination, developed in collaboration with Crosstree Real Estate Partners. Located on a fashionable corner of historic Mayfair overlooking the mature trees of Green Park, 1 Hotel Mayfair brings the beauty of nature to central London through vertical landscapes, sustainable design, farm-to-table food, and nature-inspired immersive experiences.
The hotel's proximity to prestigious galleries, Michelin-starred restaurants, and chic shopping on Bond Street, Mount Street, and Regent Street, plus important landmarks like the Royal Academy of Arts and Buckingham Palace, offer guests a unique opportunity to enjoy the best of London city life and the beauty of the natural world.
"We are thrilled to bring our brand's one-of-a-kind blend of nature and culture, sustainability and luxury, and a holistic focus on health and wellness to what has been a hub of heritage for generations," said 1 Hotels Founder and SH Hotels & Resorts Chairman, Barry Sternlicht.
"We designed this soothing urban oasis as a fresh, fashionable, contemporary take on timeless traditions. With Green Park as our backdrop, we are focused on reconnecting our guests and visitors to the wonder and magic of London's natural, cultural, and historical landmarks in an atmosphere that is as relaxed as it is refined."
"At 1 Hotel Mayfair, we have meticulously curated a sustainable destination, drawing inspiration from the innate beauty of the natural world that surrounds us. Our brand's purpose-driven ethos seamlessly harmonises with the vibrant tapestry of London and the illustrious Mayfair district," said SH Hotels & Resorts Chief Executive Officer Raul Leal.
"We are delighted to bring 1 Hotels' industry-leading sustainability focus to London as an alternative vision of modern luxury compared to the traditional hotels that dominate Mayfair. With 1 Hotels' signature biophilic design combined with its deep-rooted passion and authenticity around environmental responsibility, 1 Hotel Mayfair is a fresh addition to London's hotel scene," said Sean Arnold and Nick Lyle, Founders, Crosstree Real Estate Partners.
1 Hotels' commitment to sustainability and biophilic design principles drove every decision when it came to creating this property, starting with the defining decision to reuse and renovate two pre-existing Mayfair buildings, as opposed to constructing from scratch. The resulting retention of over 80 percent of the existing structures reduced the amount of embodied carbon produced during demolition and construction, mitigated construction waste and debris, and helped the project to meet BREEAM Excellent standards.
Adding two new floors atop the building allowed for the addition of 44 stunning suites, which feature floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over Green Park or the skyline of bustling Piccadilly. A fully automated guest room management system reduces electricity—just one of the many sustainable features.
As part of the brand's commitment to sustainable practices, 1 Hotels has partnered with Livia Firth's Eco-Age, a leading sustainability consultancy, to ensure that environmentally focused initiatives are both credible and compelling.
There are other awe-inspiring design features like Rainforest, a custom-crafted "living" chandelier by nature-inspired artist Patrick Nadeau, suspended from the ceiling: It's made up of 50,000 strands of air plants, all lit magically from above. The raw timber-beamed ceiling has a similar artisanal sensibility: It rises above reclaimed Yorkshire dry-stone walls and is covered with preserved moss and local plants.
The reception desk is rough-cut from a single 200-year-old weathered oak tree culled naturally from the Balcombe Estate in West Sussex. Adding to the organic appeal, the lobby is decorated with custom furniture that was handcrafted using traditional techniques and featuring natural fabrics.
Art is also an important feature: At every turn, guests encounter original works by British artists that provoke a closer connection to the landscapes of the United Kingdom. Highlights of the collection include Steve McPherson's provocative marine plastic piece Flow and Kate MccGwire's sculpture Torrent, which is uniquely integrated into the Dover Yard bar.
There are 181 rooms, including 44 suites, where guests can rest, revive, restore, and recharge in an environment filled with native plants and a preserved moss-covered wall. Design details in the rooms convey a conscious commitment to natural materials, from responsibly sourced British oak flooring to a private bar made with timber and responsibly hand-wrapped woven jute. There are also nightstands carved from sustainable wood, chalkboard notepads fashioned from reclaimed tree stumps, artisanal leather baskets, and trays hand-crafted by local makers. In the bathrooms, textured limestone walls offset sleek dark vanities hand-hewn from Welsh slate.
The hotel also features four spectacular signature suites. The seventh-floor double-height Green Park Penthouse is the largest one-bedroom suite in Mayfair. With its sweeping wrap-around terrace and retractable sliding doors that open to panoramic park views, the suite can be expanded to two or three bedrooms. The Garden Terrace suite features a private terrace and seating area with views of Mayfair's cinematic rooftop skyline. The Piccadilly Greenhouse suite has floor-to-ceiling glass windows, giving guests a bird's eye perspective of London, plus its own private dining area seating six. Finally, the Dover Terrace Suite is encircled by a wraparound terrace overlooking Piccadilly with a large exterior dining and entertaining area and unobstructed views of London's skyline.
