The Chesterfield Mayfair: A luxury London escape with Christmas sparkle and a wonderfully warm welcome

There's a problem with staying at hotels that are exceptionally good. They set the bar ridiculously high for the next one.

And when two of those hotels belong to the same family-run brand, the pressure is really on. So, by the time I arrived at The Chesterfield Mayfair, my expectations were borderline stratospheric.

I'd already fallen for The Rubens at the Palace in London and The Lodge at Ashford Castle in Ireland, both part of the Red Carnation Hotels collection.

And now I was checking into the very hotel where the Red Carnation story began.

Could it possibly live up to the other two?

Tucked away in one of London's most exclusive neighbourhoods, The Chesterfield Mayfair has old-fashioned charm by the champagne bucketload, lashings of luxury at every turn and the sort of personal service that makes you wonder why more hotels can't get it right.

The charm starts before you've even set foot inside.

Impeccably dressed door staff are ready to spring into action, opening the doors to a lavish, inviting lobby. Instantly you know this is going to be good.

Hashim couldn't have been more attentive when we checked in. And his warmth at check-in was just the start. He'd discovered we'd spent the afternoon at Derren Brown's Only Human show at the nearby Apollo Theatre and as we were getting ready for dinner, there was a knock at our door.

There stood a smiling Hashim, bearing a Derren Brown keepsake with a handwritten note and Red Carnation chocolates. How lovely is that? It's those thoughtful little gestures that make a stay memorable, and Red Carnation seems to have turned them into something of an art form.

Deputy general manager Johal, a consummate professional with a genuinely likeable manner, explained that this personal approach is what sets the collection apart. Having now stayed at three of its hotels, I couldn't agree more.

No hotel stay is complete without sampling a couple of cocktails and Sem's Bar had me hooked from the first sip. We spent a very enjoyable hour being looked after by Rune, a relaxed Lancashireman with a serious talent for making killer cocktails. If you visit, try the Old Blue Sky or Passion for Chillies. Both are fabulous and one will knock your socks off!

Piano music, courtesy of John, who played with a glint in his eye and without a sheet of music in sight, provided the perfect ambiance.

For drinks with a view of London's skyline, head up to Stanley's rooftop bar. This relatively new space is covered and heated, so even when it’s sub-zero outside you can still enjoy a cocktail while soaking up the sights.

The quirky, glowing bar gives the whole place an alluring, warming feel, making it particularly magical on a crisp winter evening.

Food at Red Carnation hotels is off-the-scale good and dinner at Butlers Restaurant is a must if you visit The Chesterfield Mayfair.

First I need to tell you about the bread. Without a word of exaggeration, it was the best either of us had ever tasted. A gorgeous sourdough made with onion seeds and a little potato, it was so delicious that we were still talking about it over breakfast the following morning.

And if a kitchen can make something as simple as bread taste this incredible, you know the rest of the meal won't disappoint.

The menu celebrates British ingredients and familiar favourites. We started with chicken noodle soup and duck breast. The soup is one of the hotel's signature dishes, inspired by Bea Tollman, the inspirational woman behind the Red Carnation Hotels collection. The duck breast was another winner, and we were off to a flying start.

For mains, we chose the rib-eye steak and fish and chips. The aged Hereford beef came with watercress and béarnaise sauce, while the fish and chips were an indulgent take on the British classic, with beer-battered haddock, triple-cooked chips, mushy peas and all the traditional accompaniments.

And despite being thoroughly stuffed, there was no chance we were leaving without dessert, especially when baked Alaska was on the menu.

The short journey from Butlers Restaurant back to our suite took us through corridors and staircases rich in colour, with ornate furnishings and walls adorned with gilt-framed paintings. It’s easy to see why the hotel is loved by history-loving Americans. The grandeur continues at every turn, and our room was no exception.

Decorated in blue and white, with beautiful floral wallpaper, sparkling chandeliers and sumptuous fabrics, it was traditional luxury at its best.

And then there was the bed. A magnificent four-poster with exquisite bed linen. No matter how hard I try, I can never quite replicate that high-end hotel bed experience at home. The crisp sheets, the plump pillows, the sheer comfort of it all. Bliss!

Two gorgeous blue velvet armchairs provided a lovely spot to relax, but what really impressed us was having a completely separate sitting room, with an elegant sofa and dining area. And the lovely toiletries were by Floris London, the historic British perfumer.

After an evening of cocktails, wonderful food and warm hospitality, sinking into that gloriously comfortable four-poster bed was the perfect way to round off a pretty perfect day.

The Chesterfield Mayfair's location makes it an ideal base for a festive weekend of Christmas shopping. Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street are just a 15-minute walk away, and Sem's and Stanley's Bar will, of course, be waiting with cocktails and good company when you can shop no more.

From mid-November, you can also book a Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea, and I can't think of a hotel better suited to this quintessentially British tradition.

The personal touches that set The Chesterfield Mayfair apart continued right up until we left. As we sat in reception waiting for our car, Vytas, who was helping with our luggage, announced with a mischievous grin that our horse and carriage had arrived.

I couldn't help but laugh. Vytas, with his wonderful sense of humour, summed up everything I loved about the hotel. Polished and professional, yet relaxed and welcoming, with a genuine family feel that makes you feel like so much more than just another hotel guest.

And as for those stratospheric expectations? Three Red Carnation hotels, three unforgettable stays: a hat-trick of hospitality at its finest. If Derren Brown had stood on stage and asked me to imagine the perfect hotel experience, I don't think I could have conjured up much better.

Factfile

Nightly rates at The Chesterfield Mayfair, part of the Red Carnations Hotel Collection, start from £258 on a room-only basis.