A host of famous stars turned up to the May Fair Hotel's launch party last night, where they were entertained throughout the night at one of London's most well known addresses.

As Jocelyn Brown sang live to a packed room, people were treated to a show of live jazz, exotic dancers, and of course an endless supply of champagne.

Guests including Tony Christie, Nik Moran, Lady Isabella Hervey, Rowland Rivron, and stars from the British Fashion Awards later joined the party which went on through the night.

The hotel has recently had a total of £75 million spent on refurbishing it, in an effort to help it compete with the top hotels of the world. This expenditure includes Europe's largest ever Baccarat chandelier (six metres by three metres), worth over £1 million, that can be found in the glamorous Crystal Room. "Our aim was to create London's most beautiful room," beams designer Michael Attenborough, "and I think we've done just that."

During the party, the Crystal Room itself proved to be one of the most popular of all the rooms. Guests were treated to a quite awesome performance by young jazz sensation Peter Grant. The young lad from Yorkshire produced a wonderful hour long set that defied his mere 18 years of existence, but most certainly fitted in with his surroundings.

As guests feasted on gourmet canapés of seafood, shellfish and a variety of other meats, the Danziger suite, named so after the Hollywood impresario owners of the hotel during the fifties, played host to the cast of the musical Chicago. The performance of 'All That Jazz' got everyone in the mood, and the night was still only getting started.

Originally opened by his majesty King George V in 1927, the hotel has always enjoyed a fine reputation. Yet at the turn of the century there was a general feeling that the hotel was beginning to fall behind its European counterparts. That's most certainly no longer the case. With 406 bedrooms including 10 signature suites, eight studios, a luxurious spa, and not forgetting its very own private cinema, the May Fair is well and truly back on the map.

The guests seemed equally impressed. "It's amazing. We held a party during London Fashion Week here," states Scott Henshall, top British designer and favourite of Kylie, Victoria Beckham and Paris Hilton. "My friend Lady Victoria Hervey had her 30th birthday here too. I stay here all the time. I love it."

The third and final room of the party was held in the May Fair Bar. Guests were able to enjoy one of the expertly put together Passion or Apple-tini cocktails, whilst enjoying a complimentary massage. Glass boxes contained feather boa wearing dancers strutting their stuff to the selection of tunes that were being played. The tunes were provided by the critically acclaimed Freestylers accompanied by Matt Cantor, followed by the up and coming Saranagati, before guests were treated to the sounds of acoustic folk blues singer songwriter Sam Hird.

Yet the musical highlight probably occurred back in the Danziger Suite, with a performance by disco legend Jocelyn Brown. She didn't disappoint with a rendition of some of her classic hits including 'Somebody Else's Guy', 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough', and 'Keep on Jumpin''.

From the unique works of art found on the wall, to the large spacious rooms, the May Fair Hotel excels in class, and its launch party certainly did it justice. The management are keen however, to open their doors to one and all. "We have gone out of our way to ensure that anyone is welcome at the May Fair," says Charles Oak, general manager of the hotel. "We've swept away all the stuffy nonsense that 5-star hotels have historically felt was so important – and which lots of people today find oppressive – and replaced it with a relaxed, service-led determination to make people feel at ease. We call it luxury without pretension and that slogan informs everything we do."

£75 million is a lot of money in anyone's book, yet after visiting the May Fair it's difficult to argue that it wasn't money well spent. As a visitor to the hotel, be it as a staying guest, or simply a guest at its launch party, you can't help but feel that you are in something very special. The May Fair may have lost its standing to smaller, yet equally luxurious hotels at the turn of the century, but it would seem big is back, and it would seem hard to argue that big is not best.

Article by Daniel Brogan