The very name Mayfair conjures up ideas of luxury and comfort and it is exactly those concepts that visitors will be able to enjoy if they book a hotel in this prestigious London district. Named after the fortnight long fair that used to take place in the area during the month of May, this district is as readily associated with fashion and shopping as it is with picturesque parks and squares.

Mayfair has been known as a grand and elegant district ever since its inception between the mid-17th and 18th centuries. A group of landlords was responsible for the development of most of the area, the most important among which was the Grosvenor family. The freehold of a large section of Mayfair belongs to Queen Elizabeth II herself.

One of the most important elements of Mayfair's enduring appeal is its handsome architecture - its wide Georgian thoroughfares, elegant public spaces and beautiful squares.

The most significant of these squares are Grosvenor, Hanover and Berkeley. Grosvenor Square houses the US Embassy and has a statue of the great American president Franklin D Roosevelt at its centre. Also located in the area is Saville Row, a street that is now synonymous with quality tailoring, and New and Old Bond Streets, known for their jewellery and antiques stores, among other things.

London visitors looking to enjoy some of the capital's best-known landmarks and historical monuments will find it simple to realise their ambition if they choose the Millennium Mayfair Hotel as their base.

Within easy walking distance of the hotel is arguably London's most famous and important landmark of all - Buckingham Palace. This magnificent structure has served as the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837. Having evolved from a townhouse that was owned by the dukes of Buckingham at the beginning of the 18th century, the 775-room palace now serves as the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II. Despite its frequent use for the many official events and receptions hosted by the Queen, Buckingham Palace regularly opens many of its areas to visitors.

London explorers who are looking for a sight that is somewhat more modern, but no less impressive, should take a walk to the London Eye, the 135-metre-tall observation wheel that stands on the south bank of the River Thames. The Eye was built in March 2000 and is now an unmistakeable element of London's famous skyline. The ten-tonne capsules that carry the visitors around the eye take half an hour to make a single rotation, giving passengers plenty of time to take in the views. On a clear day, eagle-eyed visitors can see up to 25 miles from the top of the Eye, as far as Windsor Castle.

With such an exciting mix of history, luxury and spectacle, Mayfair offers the perfect location for anyone hoping to gain an experience of the genuine nature and charm of London.