The Mandarin Oriental Mayfair has just unveiled what may be London’s most exclusive hotel suite to date. Perched on the 11th floor of the recently opened five-star hotel in Hanover Square, the Mayfair Penthouse offers sweeping panoramic views of the city – along with a price tag starting at £40,000 (€47,000) per night.
Priding itself on blending British tradition with Asian hospitality, the 464 m² suite offers a rare vantage point over London. The penthouse terrace boasts 180° panoramic views encompassing the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, Hyde Park, The Shard, the Houses of Parliament, and even Hampstead Heath.
“Discover unparalleled luxury in the Mayfair Penthouse, where British heritage meets modern elegance. A serene retreat ideal for entertaining or escaping the city’s bustle,” reads the hotel’s official description.
Of course, £40,000 a night is not for everyone. Only the lucky few will be able to admire the suite’s hand-painted wallpapers, marble bathtub, and carefully curated interior featuring Post-Impressionist artworks.
Designed by Studio Indigo, a firm known for its high-end residential and yacht interiors, the penthouse evokes the quiet elegance of a luxury ship moored above Mayfair.
“Every element of the penthouse was designed to honour British craftsmanship while reflecting the contemporary spirit of Mayfair,” said Olga Fox, Director of Interiors at Studio Indigo, in an interview with Forbes.
“Much like our approach to the hotel itself, our goal was to create a unique sense of place, one that reflects the grandeur and glamour of Mayfair while offering a sanctuary of calm and sophistication.”
The penthouse’s address is no less prestigious. Hanover Square, laid out in 1713 and named after the newly established House of Hanover, was one of London’s first planned squares. Initially a haven for aristocrats, it later housed embassies, private members’ clubs, and high-end retailers. Today, it remains a hub of prestige and luxury, home to 77 Diamonds, a bespoke diamond jewellery showroom. Notable art galleries on the square include Unit London and Pace Gallery, and it is just steps away from Bond Street and Savile Row.
The suite’s launch also reflects how Mayfair has evolved – from a district of stately Georgian townhouses to one of 21st-century opulence, where luxury hotels, galleries, and Michelin-starred restaurants define the area’s modern profile.
Not everyone, however, is impressed. CNN noted that the cost of a one-night stay in the penthouse equals 15 months at a nearby Travelodge. Some might see it as the pinnacle of luxury, others, as verging on extravagance and ostentation.
Even so, the Mayfair Penthouse is still significantly less expensive than its rival across town: Claridge’s penthouse, which opened in 2023 and costs €70,500 per night. That suite offers 1,066 m² of space, a private garden, a swimming pool, a Steinway piano, and what’s believed to be the largest private collection of Damien Hirst artworks in the world.
