Review: The Connaught

How did it strike you on arrival?
In several millennia, when future generations teach small space children about 21st-century civilization, they’ll point to the Connaught as the pinnacle of our achievements. This hotel is just so uncompromising. The location, in the middle of Mayfair, is hard to beat, and as you step out of your cab, you’ll be greeted by a doorman wearing a smart, yet warm, coat (not silly, drafty tails). The staircase is ornate yet sturdy, and there are paintings of ships—it all feels put together by someone exceedingly dependable for dependably exacting guests.

What’s the crowd like?
Those with refined taste and deep pockets.

The good stuff: Tell us about your room.
Choose between contemporary and classic rooms—the former have clean lines and walnut floors, while the classic have carpeting, creamy tones, and heavy drapes. The smallest rooms are compact, given the price tag, but all have a separate dressing room/bar area, which is a luxurious touch. And 24-hour butler service comes as standard.

Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.
British Cowshed products are a fun touch.

Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?
Free.

Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.
This is the first Aman spa to be built outside an Aman resort, and it’s in total contrast to the rest of the hotel—it has a black granite swimming pool and looks like a very peaceful, elegant cave. There are two fine dining restaurants; the two Michelin Star Hélène Darroze restaurant has recently reopened after a revamp. The five-course menu, including dishes such as Cornish spider crabs, pomelo, and lampong pepper, costs $150. The Connaught Bar is one of the best in the city, clad in silver leaf and concocting a mean martini.

Bottom line: worth it, and why?
The price is steep, but this is one of the finest hotels in the world