You might say The Westbury has it all. Distinct, not only for its prime Bond Street location but also its selection of suites and notable culinary reputation, The Westbury Mayfair manages to combine the vibrancy of London and an enduring haute couture and art heritage with good service ethic and innate specialist knowledge of the area. Indeed, it has it all, location, style, comfort and an air of informality about it which makes you feel at ease.

And so it should, looking at the company it keeps amongst prized international destinations in The Luxury Collection, catering for the most discerning customer. A little over a century ago, the era of steamships and trains let explorers travel with ease for the first time. One popular destination was Venice, at the heart of the Mediterranean and a crossroads between East and West. The unique appeal of Venice is why, in 1906, the Compagnia Italiana Grandi Alberghi (CIGA) was founded as a hotel brand accommodating travellers to this storied destination. The Westbury traces its heritage back to CIGA, which became The Luxury Collection brand in 1994.

And discerning they are, the hotel shares freely visitor’s views and one of the strong points they find is the hotel’s location. Tucked away next to Bond Street and close to Oxford Street, overlooking the most desirable and extravagant boutiques, The Westbury is located in the very heart of London, a stone throw away from Theatre Land and the open spaces of Green Park with all its busy cafés and restaurants.

At a rare and prized address for hotels, this illustrious position allows quick access to prestigious boutiques, arts institutions and city landmarks, offering an ideal base from which to explore the individuality and authentic personality of the neighbourhood. The restyled 225 guestrooms, including 63 suites have been individually designed with elements of redwood panelling, a subtle palette and rich fabrics with bold accents, creating inviting and refined accommodation. Rooms are fitted with Italian marble en-suite bathrooms, customized with a generous array of luxury bath amenities.

The hotel is grand and opulent in its décor, styled from white Portland stone, dark marble and architectural brass detailing, notable and distinctive in character. The classic styling permeates throughout the property, influenced by its proximity to the high-end world of design and has managed to retain a timeless quality about it since it opened in 1955. How London has changed since then! But this place has acquired a quality of timeless elegance.

After a busy day of shopping, the best place to have a cocktail is the chic and award-winning Polo Bar which is appealing to both hotel guests and local residents, with its choice of thoughtfully crafted signature cocktails and light bites. Once an exclusive members club for high-class British and American Polo players, the Polo Bar is now a vibrant cocktail destination with all-day dining. As well as fine wines and champagne, the legendary mixologists serve an exquisite selection of hand-crafted cocktails. This season the radical art movement of impressionism has been the influence behind the concept, flavours and aesthetic of each cocktail.

Awarded one Michelin star, AW Restaurant brings inspired dining to Mayfair with a creative culinary menu that extends to lunch, dinner and a tasting menu. It was good to see a vegetarian option for a full tasting menu of which the Pecorino & Lyonnaise onion ravioli with black truffle impressed. Gastronomes can choose to dine in the main restaurant or in the privacy of the Wine Room, flanked with 600 bottles of wine, or the larger, Aspen Room, with its hand-blown glass fixtures seating 20 guests. Lead by Head Chef Charles Tayler, AW Restaurant offers a progressive array of inspiring flavours created from locally and nationally sourced British produce, paired with relaxed and professional service.

For those in search of a more informal setting, there is of course the afternoon tea for some refreshments after a busy day, whether you have been taking advantage of the proximity of high-end shopping, sought other pastimes of the city further afield or indeed are looking for an alternative business lunch. Amid a setting of absolute glamour, you can indulge in a quintessentially British tradition with a unique contemporary twist. Their Asian inspired Afternoon Tea combines all the favourite classics spiked with authentic ingredients. You will be hard-pressed to find a finer selection of delicious finger sandwiches, hand-crafted sweet treats and freshly baked scones, accompanied by flutes of Champagne and a selection of loose-leaf teas by Whittard of Chelsea.

This gem of a hotel complements most suitably the jewels found on Bond Street. A place you grow accustomed to, with the fondness of familiarity growing by each visit. For us, there will be more to come.