Click Photo To Instantly Book
The Mandeville Hotel in London

The classic Georgian exterior 
will not easily reveal the surprise
inside — a bold, colorful, 
contemporary makeover
of the 1910 hotel.

Location, the long-coveted real estate asset — most especially prized by hotels aiming to take their share of discriminating travelers — is reason enough why The Mandeville, in London’s Marylebone district between Hyde and Regent parks, is positioned perfectly to capture its astute, predominantly British and European clientele.

Lying just north of Mayfair, long considered London’s classiest district, Marylebone Village has found its place among insiders who have christened it the lively alternative to its more traditional neighbor, particularly around Marylebone High Street with its striking Georgian facades and astonishing array of good restaurants. Peter Gordon, the well-known television personality and author of two best-selling cookbooks, The Sugar Club Cookbook and Cook at Home owns and is joint-head chef of The Providores and Tapa Room on High Street.

Notable neighbors are nearby.

Just a few blocks away London’s fashionable Bond Street shops, art and antique galleries boast heritages of a century or more, and the world-renowned auction houses of Sotheby’s and Christies only add to the area’s allure.

Selfridges is renowned for its stunning window displays, month-long retail events and special art happenings.

Selfridges, the lesser-known of London’s big department stores is a retail pioneer with an uncanny ability to tap into the zeitgeist, and its month-long promotions are pure retail theatre. In 2000, the Oxford Street store became the first-ever to wrap its exterior with the world’s largest photographic artwork, XV Seconds by acclaimed contemporary artist Sam Wood. Founded in 1909 by American entrepreneur Harry Gordon Selfridge, he is credited with coining the phrase, “The customer is always right,” used extensively in Selfridges’ advertising.

Contemporary crystal chandeliers, cut flowers, bold red cushions and couches anticipate your arrival.

And it’s all within minutes of The Mandeville, the gloriously revived 1910 hotel that appears from the exterior like any whitewashed London townhouse, before you step to the lobby with its eerily fluorescent windows and uprising of silver and Black Cherry that creates a kind of hushed club atmosphere.

The same interior designers have orchestrated the hotel’s 142 guest rooms for the utmost in comfort, furnishing each with luxurious fabrics and wall coverings that exude a lush, modern lifestyle. Exquisite marble bathrooms are equipped with amenities like power shower and combined hands-off radio and telephone with bath accessories supplied by The White Company.

Every space is carefully considered
within the hotel's moderately sized suites.


Each intimate dining area
is dramatically designed.

Flat screen interactive LCD televisions with broadband access, two telephone extensions with individual voice mail and 24-hour room service provide the solo traveler or power couple freedom to manage their personal and business affairs with ease. The hotel concierge can arrange preferential service at two local health clubs and a nearby day spa in Marylebone Village.



Devine deVille.

Designed by Stephen Ryan the deVille’s vibrant décor has been fashioned for those who choose to dine in a relaxed, but elegant atmosphere whilst taking pleasure in the delightful modern British cuisine devised by the restaurant’s Executive Chef. The interior spaces are emphasized by a large, patterned, floral wallpaper motif punctuated by theatrical Perspex framed paintings and Venetian mask wall lights. Silver, Weimeraner brown and white are the key colors.

At dinner for four we were joined by our ex-pat friend Cathi, a native New Englander turned UK County Executive, and her husband Gary, an amiable Brit whose two-decade, travel industry career has afforded him a wry sense of humor, most useful at a dinner with friends who stop by on short notice once every few years.

The promise of something extraordinary 
beckons diners into the DeVille.



The British tradition of afternoon tea is
gracefully presented in the DeVille tea room

We began with two shared salads: one of goat cheese, ruby grapefruit and watercress with Pomegranate dressing, the other with Parma ham, grilled mushrooms, pine nuts, balsamic and basil dressing.

Gary, a self-described meat and potatoes man, had the evening special of grilled sirloin steak, green beans with galette potatoes. Cathi found the organic salmon with shrimp fishcakes and light tartare dressing a healthy alternative. Robin, ever adventurous, chose sea bream, spiced lentils and bok choy while I took my queue from the Scots with a trio of new season lamb, minted pea puree and Madeira sauce. A leisurely pace was enhanced by a Domaine de la Romanee Conti of France’s Burgundy region, a very good selection from the deVille’s limited, but still excellent wine list.

Seeking a fitting end to the sumptuous repast we celebrated our reunion over steamed chocolate and ginger pudding and a plum tart with Grand Marnier sabayon. deVille 2-course special menus are $33U.S., with 3-course $42U.S.. Entrees $26U.S. to $40U.S.. Lunch is served from 11:00 AM to 3:00 p.m., dinner from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

For reservations call 020 7935 4040.

It's bold, it's beautiful, it's sexy!
It may be the only bar of its kind in London.

Devine deVigne.

To call the deVigne Bar neo-modern is a classic understatement. The celebrated surroundings, Vogue Magazine described them as “Baroque and Roll,” and vibrant colors of red, green and silver make the deVigne bar a rare and truly magnificent place. Here, designer Ryan has blended contemporary furnishings and 1960’s style glass chandeliers with furniture inspired by the Biedermeier and Regency periods. The long mirrored bar features the same damask print as the more traditional French upholstered walls.

Beckoning you to the bar the deVigne’s extensive whisky list has been supervised by spirit writer and broadcaster Ian Wisniewski and the in-house mixologist has created a most imaginative cocktail list. Light bites and finger platters are served day and night. Open 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m Monday through Saturday, Sunday 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

The Penthouse Suite and shower.

Take life to the top.

The Mandeville’s most treasured space is the Penthouse Suite, a townhouse with its own entrance staircase, bedroom and sitting room that steps to a ten foot square terrace overlooking Manchester Square, Hinde Street and the rooftops of London. A second set of stairs leads up under the eaves to a powder pink bathroom with its walk in power shower, bath and full vanity dressing table. Penthouse accommodations are priced at $1185U.S. per day, a bargain in today’s capital city.

There is nothing timid about the
designer's color choices for
wall coverings, furniture. . .

. . . beds, bedding, accessories.

The Mandeville is a smart
choice for . . .

. . . small to mid-sized corporate
gatherings in the theater, to . . .

.. . . The Red Room for
private parties and
soirées of all descriptions.

Mandeville Hotel Style

West End shows like "Billy Elliot:
The Musical" should be booked in
advance through companies like
Keith Prowse, an international
agent with an inside track to
London theatre, events,
and entertainment.
www.keithprowse.com
UK Phone:
0870 840 1111 (info and booking)
0870 906 3860 (after sales enquiries)
Global phone (below): +44
(0)870 840 1111 (info and booking)
0)870 906 3860 (after sales enquiries)
USA Phone:
800/669-8687
212/398-1468
Fax: 212/302-4251

Exploring one of the world’s most expensive cities will challenge the budget minded traveler. Luckily, most of the major national museums are now free and there are over 1,500 good deals and special offers at www.londonfreelist.com

For popular attractions like the London Eye, exhibitions at privately operated museums or any West End theatre show, advanced tickets are a must.

— Feature by Jim Hollister, Jetsetters Magazine Luxury Travel Editor. Photos by Robin and Jim Hollister, The Mandeville Hotel, and Perretti Communications, London.