The slick new kid on the block, laid-back yet luxurious boutique hotel The Mayfair is quietly making its presence known in the central city. Words Josie Steenhart Photo Sarah Rowlands
The Mayfair, Christchurch
THE LOCATION
Sitting elegantly on the corner of Victoria and Dorset Streets in the central city, many rooms offer views of Hagley Park and the Southern Alps.
THE LOWDOWN
Four years and $23 million in the making, The Mayfair features 67 rooms and suites across five stories, including premium ‘top of house’ rooms and suites with panoramic views through 3.3m floor-to-ceiling windows.
Its catchphrase is “a fresh take on modern luxury, where elegance meets innovation,” which general manager Rick Crannitch explains as “meaning that luxury no longer has to be about formality.”
Amongst the innovations is integrated guest technology and energy-efficient power conservation systems that help to minimise the hotel’s carbon footprint.
THE LOOK
Architect Tim Field describes his vision for the overall aesthetic of The Mayfair as “modern, minimalist and elegantly detailed,” and this is evident in both the exteriors (think graphic black juxtaposed with raw concrete and swathes of glass) and indoors, where rooms have been given a strong palette of rich, warm tones and feature internationally sourced premium features such as American oak and Italian ceramics, all carefully accented by mood lighting.
THE EXPERIENCE
When I visited in July the doors had only recently opened and the main elevators weren’t yet operating, but once installed in my room (a Top of House Suite) via a side door through the cafe, having rifled immediately through the Byredo toiletries with glee and swapped my shoes for a pair of slippers, I quickly began to wish I never had to leave.
Comprising two rooms that can be divided with sliding doors into a living area (with kitchenette) and a bedroom, it also had a spacious balcony and a bathroom that a marble-lover’s dreams are made of.
When I’d finally worked my way through most of a decadent deli platter (see below), several glasses of chardonnay and a perfectly mindless blockbuster on one of the big screen TVs, the heavenly king-size bed provided an undisturbed slumber.
EAT/DRINK
On the ground floor next to the reception area, by day Majestic at Mayfair offers a ‘gram-worthy brunch menu, with everything from classic Eggs Bene to 12-hour smoked Ōtautahi lamb and Wagyu beef burgers, by local executive chef Nick Tatom.
Guests can also book to enjoy a unique high tea created by French patisserie chef Aurelien Fermen.
From 2:30pm, the space becomes a premium cocktail bar with a decent drinks list including The Mayfair’s exclusive bespoke tea-based cocktails and a dozen or so tasty bar snacks to accompany.
If, like me, you love a bit of room service, simply plug your order into your in-room tablet and put your feet up.
Whether upstairs or down I can highly recommend ‘The Platter’, a generous tray of cheeses, breads, charcuterie and more that you can graze on all evening.
THE NITTY-GRITTY
Rooms start at $285 per night. mayfairluxuryhotels.com
Style and The Mayfair are giving away a Stay & High Tea Experience worth $1640 - click here to enter.