The Connaught

The Connaught stands on the corner of Carlos Place and Mount Street in Mayfair, a district of Westminster. It occupies a corner site near Grosvenor Square, where the first Duke of Westminster reorganised the streets in the 19th century. The present building was constructed between 1894 and 1896 to designs by Lewis Isaacs and Henry L. Florence. It is listed at Grade II on the National Heritage List for England. A water feature called Silence, designed by Tadao Ando, runs outside along Mount Street. The hotel has long been recognised for its standards of comfort and service. In 1935 Rudolph Richard became general manager and ran it almost as an English private house. The Savoy Group acquired it in 1956, and in 2004 an Irish-led group renamed the management company Maybourne Hotel Group. A £70 million restoration between 2007 and 2008 refurbished 88 rooms and suites, the main staircase, lifts, concierge and public areas. The Connaught Bar, designed by David Collins, opened in 2008 and has twice won World’s Best Cocktail Bar. Visitors find rooms and suites named The Prince’s Lodge, The Eagles Lodge, The Sutherland and Somerset Suites. Public spaces include the Ballroom, Maple Oak and Silver Rooms, L’Espelette Restaurant and the Coburg Bar. The Connaught Bar is run by mixologist Agostino Perrone and has won international awards. Hélène Darroze at The Connaught holds three Michelin stars. The hotel also has a swimming pool and an Asian-inspired spa managed with Aman Resorts.