Marylebone · Mayfair · London W1
Travel & Hotels
The best place to stay in London is Marylebone and Mayfair. Marylebone High Street is charming and quintessentially British, and this is the simplest area to base yourself, though anywhere in London can be reached on the tube. A few suggestions below across a range of prices.
Getting to London
From Heathrow, the fast way — Take the Heathrow Express to Paddington, fifteen minutes non-stop, with trains every fifteen minutes. Then hop in a black cab at Paddington for the short ride into Marylebone, or anywhere in central London. Door to door, you can be in the Marylebone neighbourhood within forty-five minutes of clearing customs. Tickets are easy to book, just follow the signs after you clear customs. The Elizabeth line is the cheaper, slower, slightly more confusing alternative from the same airport terminals.
From Gatwick — Gatwick Express or Thameslink to Victoria, then a fifteen-minute cab north to Marylebone. Allow more time than you think on a Saturday morning.
By Car — A black cab, taxi, Uber, or limo service from the airport is an easy option, but beware traffic leaving Heathrow, especially in the mornings. Commute time can exceed an hour depending on the time of day. There is little to no parking in Marylebone and the surrounding neighbourhood.
Getting to the Venue
The Venue — Old Marylebone Town Hall, 97–113 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5PT. Open in Google Maps.
By Tube — Baker Street (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Circle, Hammersmith & City) is a three-minute walk. Marylebone station (Bakerloo and national rail) is five minutes.
By Cab — The most convenient option. A black cab or Uber to “Old Marylebone Town Hall” drops you at the steps on Marylebone Road, which is where you want to be.
Where to Stay
The Landmark London
A Victorian railway hotel directly opposite Marylebone station, built around an eight-storey palm-filled atrium. The closest of the lot to the Town Hall, and the only one where proximity is the point. You could leave your room at 9:20 and still be early. landmarklondon.co.uk
The Marylebone Hotel
Polished and contemporary, right on Marylebone High Street, which puts you among the neighbourhood’s best cafés, bookshops, and the Sunday farmers’ market. The most straightforwardly comfortable option on this list. doylecollection.com
Durrants
A Georgian coaching inn from 1789, owned by the same family since 1921, and one of the last privately owned hotels in London. Ninety-two rooms behind a Grade II listed façade on George Street, with antiques, wood panelling, and an open fire in the drawing room. If the phrase quintessentially British means anything, it means this. durrantshotel.co.uk
Ten Manchester Street
Forty-four rooms in an Edwardian townhouse on a quiet street just off the High Street, with Dieci downstairs for modern Italian. This is where Elaine Pietsch, mother of the groom, is staying, which means it is where the party will be. Do not miss the cigar terrace and tasting room off the restaurant, one of the best cigar venues in London, heated and open in all weather. tenmanchesterstreethotel.com
The Langham
Opened in 1865 as the first grand hotel in Europe, and still one of the great ones. Afternoon tea as a British institution was more or less invented in its Palm Court, which is reason enough to walk in even if you sleep elsewhere. There is a spa and a sixteen-metre pool underneath it all. langhamhotels.com
Claridge’s
Far too expensive. Don’t stay here. Listed only because the bride and groom are staying here, and it felt dishonest to leave it off. If you ignore this advice, the art deco lobby alone is worth the money and we will see you at breakfast. claridges.co.uk
While You’re in Town
Making a weekend of it? We’ve put together our favourite spots in Marylebone and beyond on the Things to Do page.