Hi,
My husband and I will be in London for only two nights (Sept 10-12). We are looking for a unique place to stay (perhaps a boutique hotel??). I was mostly looking at staying in (or very near) Mayfair - it seems like a good central location for walking to most sites, but am open to other suggestions.
We are in our late 20's like to shop (well, I do anyway!) and want to be able to walk to most sites, also like to go out to pubs/bars/clubs at night.
Can you suggest a place we might enjoy?
I don't mind paying up to about $250 USD per night. (Which I realize won't get me as much in the UK!)

Thanks for any help!

unfortunately in your price range (unless some last minute deal), there will be but a very basic hotel in mayfair..certainly any "boutique hotel" will not be in your price range..

You could bid for a 5* hotel on Priceline in the Mayfair zone. There are several possibilities in this category - I think some Ian Schrager hotel and the Le Meridien Piccadilly are two of them. The first might be a boutique-type hotel, but not the second. However, I'm sure they would be quite nice and well-located, and you would likely succeed for a bid of well under $200 per night.

You might possibly be able to get a basic twin room at Blakes Hotel in Kensington for that price. Here's the website
http://www.blakeshotels.com
You will likely have more selection, in your price range, of the kind of hotel you're looking for if you stay in Kensington or Knightsbridge rather than Mayfair. You'd still be pretty close to the centre of things.

Ian Schrager's hotels (as places to stay) are terribly overrated, and aren't boutique sized. Besides, you won't be able to get them for such a low rate.

The Chesterfield hotel is relatively small, it's not five star so you should be able to afford it. The position is superb, as for the facilites, I cannot comment. Hilton London Mews (I think it's called that) just behind Old Park Lane is another smaller property. Hilton Green Park too!

However, none of the above will be anything special, the service will be average, you're paying for position. I note that your stay is over a week-end so it is worth calling various properties for week-end specials - these are not usually available on the internet. Or I'd recommend you spend a little more and stay at Mayfair's finest hotel, Claridge's. If you can't afford Claridge's please make sure you have a glass of Cristal in the fabulous bar. Who knows, you could even bump into me there.

mk2, I certainly wouldn't pay for an Ian Schrager hotel, but people have recently gotten double rooms for Priceline bids of under $200.

Sofitel is having a summer promotion right now. Their hotel in London is Sofitel St. James. Though not in Mayfair, it is in a good, convenient location just off Trafalgar Sq. Their lowest rate for your dates is £ 130 per night, which is under your $250 limit. I haven't been to the hotel, but Sofitel usually has a more "modern" feel to it, which is close to your "boutique" requirement.

The Sofitel St. James is another 5* hotel that comes up on Priceline in the Mayfair zone.

I find it very interesting that Ian Schrager properties are on what is essentially a bargain hunter's web-site. I try to avoid staying at properties offered on this basis, as they can tend to attract the wrong sort of clientele. This just goes to show that his properties cannot survive at the top end of the market without having to resort to offering their rooms at rates far below the rack.

If I recall correctly, the Connaught Hotel had some rates of 149 pounds per night on the lastminute.com (or possibly laterooms.com) web site a few months ago. I think most hotels do dramatically deep discounts under the right circumstances.

Have a look at the Myhotel Chelsea. It's listed on travelocity for $270/night. You can book something that's cancelleable and try to get a last minute deal on one of the discount sites like laterooms.com

Try Myhotel Chelsea. I stayed there last year, and loved it. It's small, with very nice rooms (great beds and bathrooms), great staff. It's not in Mayfair, but if you like shopping, you will love this area. It's right behind the Conran Shop, in an area called Brompton Cross. There are some great stores just around the corner (Joseph, Chanel, Paul & Joe, Jimmy Choo, lots more), you are very close to Walton Street (more shops and small restaurants), and through Walton Street you walk to Harrods, and Harvey Nichols a little further. The King's Road is also very close.
You could walk to the South Kensington museums, and can take the underground from South Ken to anywhere else. Think the website is www.myhotels.com. There's also a Myhotel in Bloomsbury; also a good area, but one that I'm not as familiar with.

Brompton Cross is a great area - one of my favourites. Lots of neat (expensive) boutiques, shops and restaurants. I always try to stay close by.

IMO Mayfair is for old people.

Well my dear, you're mistaken.

Mayfair hosts the finest shops, the finest restaurants, the finest property (real estate), and the finest bars and nightclubs. These are patronised by people from all age sectors of society.

There sure seemed to be a lot of non-old people there last weekend when I spent a lot of time in Mayfair.

OK, I'll revise that : when I lived in London, I thought Mayfair was ghastly.

Well dear, you're the only person who thinks it is "ghastly". Mayfair has always been one of the prime residential London areas.

Caroline-that's highly amusing! Mayfair ghastly and for old people! But you are Scottish, no? Perhaps that could explain your sentiment??

Thank you everyone, great information. I am not sold on Mayfair, I need to learn more about Chelsea and South Kensington. Is that an area that would be good to be in at night? Lots of restuarants? pubs? activity at night in general? Mayfair does sounds nice, but perhaps I am looking for something a little edgier??