Mayfair is packed full of swanky hotels: you can’t go a block without stumbling past your Berkeleys, Claridges, Connaughts and all the rest. But this area isn’t especially known for little boutique-y numbers, and that’s where the Twenty Two comes in. Tucked at the corner of grand Grosvenor Square, the mirrored lobby of The Twenty Two offers an intimate welcome. The doors are swept open by the cloaked doormen who look like suave Sherlock Holmeses, while the relaxed reception staff give off Soho House vibes. This all makes sense when you know that The Twenty Two is part hotel, part member’s club. Below street level, Mayfair’s elite gather to eat, drink and dance in a red velvet cocoon of decadence and debauchery: Tom Cruise, Kylie Jenner and even Jeff Bezos have been spotted here. And lucky old hotel guests become temporary members during their stay, making this the ideal spot for anyone wanting a big night out and a plush bed nearby. Or in my case, those who like being near something exciting that’s happening, but also just want to collapse into bed as soon as dinner is finished.
Why stay at The Twenty Two?
With only 31 rooms and suites – including a Mews House, but more on that later – this is definitely one of Mayfair’s smaller hotels but that is part of its appeal. Set in an Edwardian manor house, the former home of a Duke and lots of other fancy people with royal titles, there’s a serious level of sophistication here – from the red velvet four-poster beds to the musky 22 signature scent that follows you around like a floral phantom. Oscar Wilde lived here in 1883 to 1884 and I don’t think he’d feel out of place here today. The hotel motto is ‘delight in the discreet’ and you can feel that intimacy in all of your interactions with the staff – they will warmly have a casual chinwag, but you know that they’ve seen celeb drama that they’d never share. When pushed for goss, they said they have a lot of returning guests and they really get to know them. And this did feel true – they greeted me like an old friend as I came down the stairs for breakfast (more like a seaside b&b than a hotel) and in under 24 hours, I was sharing Instagram accounts with the reception staff.
What are the rooms like at The Twenty Tow?
Oh the rooms, what a treat for the eyes they are. Ranging from cosier Nook (starting at £695) up to a two floor ‘townhouse’ with a separate entrance (starting at £2400), each one has a unique vibe. We stayed in a Deluxe room (starting at £1000) which was the biggest type before the suites, and it was seriously roomy with enough space for a ginormous super king-sized bed, a couple of chairs and plenty of dancing space. The ceiling and windows were also double height which helped with the feeling of grandeur. Some of the rooms have beautifully busy floor-to-ceiling wallpaper but I was relieved that ours was one of the more minimal decor designs. There were pale blue walls with a red velvet four-poster bed, mirrored cupboard doors and a bold sparkly chandelier for an added splash of decadence. Despite the opulent flourishes, it’s not overdone; there were only a few sexy life drawings on the walls and some shapely vases. In fact, it’s all quite sexy (you even get a free condom in your toiletries) but keeping it classy.
The bathrooms are black and white marble with underfloor heating and a huge bath which was truly delightful, until I slipped on the wet marble and nearly did myself a mischief. My bad balance aside, there were lovely thoughtful touches – a natural sponge, a tub of bath salts, a set of plug converters and a branded toiletries bag full of useful bits. There were some playful elements too: the carpet was a trompe-l'œil which looked impressively like a herringbone wooden floor, the slippers had a 2 on each to spell out 22 and there were lots of number-themed books dotted about. The most amazing thing was how quiet and dark it was. Once the doors were closed and the huge red curtains drawn, I couldn’t hear or see a thing: I could easily have slept until checkout time (a generous midday) if my alarm hadn’t rudely woken me. My only gripe is that you had to request a Nespresso machine and kettle in your room which meant I had to stumble downstairs to get my morning coffee instead of having it lazily in bed.
Which are the best restaurants at The Twenty Two?
There are two dining options at The Twenty Two: the restaurant which is open to the public and Rita’s, the saucy member’s club eaterie which hotel guests can dine at too. We stayed on a Wednesday when Rita’s was closed (which was a shame as the red walls and mirrored ceiling felt like a naughty disco boudoir and the Italian/Japanese menu sounded intriguing). Instead we ate in the main restaurant which was also decadent and cosy, with a Italian/modern British menu filled with caviar, truffles oysters, lobster and other delicious posh goodies. It was buzzy and packed for a mid weeknight, with lively groups of friends, glamorous dates and a few business dinners. Waiters swirled around carrying large trays above their heads which brought a touch of theatre to proceedings. We slowly sunk into the comfy banquette seats as we devoured caviar brioche bites (£15 a pop), grilled tiger prawns with seaweed butter, a big bowl of buttery pasta al limone and a beef fillet. The highlight had to be the smooth mash covered in lashings of grated truffle. It was all pretty pricey and rich but we had a great time. Drinks are served next door in the dark and atmospheric Living Room, where men in white coats shake cocktail mixers. I’d recommend the House 22 – spicy tequila, aperol, a fruity margarita. Breakfast the next morning is also served there and with the curtains open, it felt like a totally different place.
What is the service like at The Twenty Two?
From the moment we arrived, the staff seemed relaxed and happy. They were so much more personable than you’d expect for a place in Mayfair – nothing snooty or stuck up. They said that the creed is ‘come as you are’ and I didn’t feel judged at all for wearing my trainers, even though the restaurant dress code says no sports clothes or pool wear so everyone else was fairly dressed up.
What is the member’s club like at The Twenty Two?
There’s no gym or spa on site but they do have a hook up with the BXR gym nearby in Marylebone on Chiltern Street which has a gym, infrared sauna and cold plunge. The main facilities are the member’s club which has the living Room bar for working during the day and drinking at night, a photo booth, outside terrace, restaurant and nightclub with a hefty soundsystem and bottle table service so expect things to get pricey pretty quickly.
What’s the area like around The Twenty Two?
Mayfair sure is expensive but there’s lots to do here even if you’re not an oligarch. The hotel is a short walk from Selfridges which is fun, even just for window shopping. There’s New Bond Street and South Molton Street for designer goods and the rest of Oxford Street for cheaper retail therapy. For culture, there are lots of contemporary art galleries dotted around, the lovely Curzon Mayfair cinema and the Royal Academy not too far away. I love strolling around Mount Street and South Audley Street – look out for the Farm Shop deli before heading for a sit down in peaceful Mount Street gardens. Transport wise, The Twenty Two is a short walk from Bond Street, but also not far from Green Park, Marble Arch or Hyde Park Corner.
Why you should you book a stay at The Twenty Two
If you’re looking for a slice of Mayfair without any of the pomp, The Twenty Two is the ideal spot. It’s small enough so you can pretend you live there, friendly enough so you don’t feel intimidated and comes with the added bonus of the member’s club. It’s not cheap but for a luxury experience, it feels more personal than most. The Deluxe rooms were wonderful but the Nook feels just as special. The nightclub is only open on Thursdays to Sunday to keep that in mind if you plan on having a late one.