This week in our ‘Hotel of the Week’ series Rosie Fitzmaurice heads to the newly reopened Mandarin Oriental London.
From the moment you arrive at the grand entrance of the Mandarin Oriental, you know you’re in for a rather special experience.
Greeted first by the friendly doormen in top hats and red tails and welcomed into the marble lobby, the centrepiece of which is a fireplace with large pillars either side, which is decorated with giant flower installations.
At the reception desk I’m greeted with a herbal fusion tea and warm towel, the perfect way to wipe off my commute. Having checked in, we head up to our room.
The vibe
The Mandarin Oriental has just reopened following a multi-million pound refurbishment, which was interrupted when a huge fire broke out last June. The Rasul spa and its two restaurants (Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Bar Boulud) reopened in December, but we are here for a first glimpse of one of the hotel’s 181 guest rooms and suites.
Joyce Wang is the mastermind behind the elegant art-deco design, taking inspiration from the 20th century’s Golden Age of travel, as well as the hotel’s royal heritage.
The Hyde Park Suite
The Mandarin Oriental has 40 suites in total, with the pièce de résistance being the three-bedroom Mandarin Oriental Penthouse with private terraces. We’re not quite staying there, but we are being treated to a night’s stay in the fancy Hyde Park Suite.
Once we’d arrived, Santa, the head butler, comes to our room to make herself known, the butlers are on hand until 11pm in the evening, she explains, and can help with anything from delicately slicing up your complimentary fruit to packing your bags on departure.
The suite is incredibly spacious and they really have thought of everything here. Yoga mats, GHDs, nourishing Jo Hansford hair products, as well as all the usual hotel luxuries like fluffy slippers and robes.
We have a giant marble bathroom with a deep bath which, incidently, makes for the perfect place to quaff champagne from.
It also features his and hers sinks and a rain shower. If you’re travelling in a pair these can quite easily be used simultaneously by each of you.
See Inside the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London
