5 Reasons You Need To Check Out The Newly Relaunched Mandarin Oriental
It was just over a year ago that news broke about the fiery blaze that had engulfed parts of the Mandarin Oriental hotel and, one refurb later, we’re bouncing off the walls with joy at the reopening of the stalwart Knightsbridge venue. The word on social media spread just as fast as the flames, as plumes of smoke rocketed towards the sky and 36 hotel guests, amongst which was Robbie Williams, and 250 members of hotel staff fled the scene and lovers of the five-star bolthole, which is housed in a historic, Edwardian-style building, hung their heads and crossed their fingers. Whilst no-one was injured, it appears bank balances instead took the blow, as the refurbishment before the fire had cost the best part of £185 million.
And yet, this tale of woe has become a happy one as the hotel finally reopened its public spaces in December 2018 and the rest as of April. Queue the cheers of all those who regularly enjoyed a celeb spot and an espresso martini amongst the hotels’ decadent and unstuffy settings. So, to illuminate just how magnificent the Mandarin Oriental is, we’ve looked at just a smattering of reasons why you should visit…
Go For The Gastronomy
With three awesome restaurants, two-Michelin stars and one very hungry writer, the Mandarin Oriental is sure to tempt with its culinary prowess. Their roster of chefs is heavy with the weight of impressive CV’s, with Heston Blumenthal and Daniel Boulud being just two of the chefs associated with the London hotel. With New York designer Adam D Tihany at the helm, the hotel’s destination restaurants and Mandarin Bar have been strikingly reimagined.
Unleash your inner pig and feast on afternoon tea and Champagne cocktails at The Rosebery, or indulge at Dinner By Heston Blumenthal under the thumb of a man whose eccentric culinary inspirations ricochet between dishes served in Alice in Wonderland and the savoury ice creams of the late 1800s! A traverse of the Mandarin Oriental’s culinary scene is quite the adventure – there’s no wonder Stanley Tucci’s exclaimed that his “favourite Mandarin Oriental is the one in Knightsbridge in London.”
A Royal Redesign
Propped up between glorious Royal Parkland and the buzz of central Knightsbridge, the Mandarin Oriental is both new and old in its ways, providing unblemished luxury with old-school glamour. A stay at the hotel has been made even more memorable with the introduction of internationally-renowned designer Joyce Wang’s keen eye for detail. Expect bespoke leather-topped desks, Onyx chandeliers and Volakas marble bathrooms amongst some of the most snug beds going. The Mandarin Oriental itself booms with brightness, akin to a lighthouse amongst the concrete trappings of London. Inside, the suites range from Turret to Belgravia and Sloane and each provide a uniqueness concerning layout and atmosphere.
An Oh, So Sexy Spa
The redesigned spa at the Mandarin Oriental is a grand alternative to the buzz and bustle of the streets. With 13 treatment rooms on side, there’s ample opportunity to wallow in the diverse range of treatments on offer, from traditional Chinese medicine, Bastien Gonzalez renowned manicures and pedicures and anti-ageing Nescens facials. Plus, in the Oriental Suite you’ll find two massage beds and a Rasul water temple, with all the health-enhancing heat, steam and mud you need thrown in. Undeniably forward thinkers where wellness is concerned, the Mandarin Oriental is also home to the renowned Model Method, a science-based workout programme that is regarded as one of the best HIIT workouts in the world.
Events Galore
Advocates for never having a dull moment, Mandarin Oriental plays host to many an event, from movie moment weddings to boozy business meetings. You can swerve the Neros and Costas of the world and head to a venue with a grand Victorian façade, rich interiors and an unrivalled location. Or, if he or she has finally “put a ring on it” then you can create your dream of a fairytale wedding inside the trappings of the Mandarin Oriental’s exquisite function rooms.
Plus, recently introduced are their Mindful Meetings. This programme consists of wellness elements designed to inspire and engage the audience you bring along. The goal is to extinguish stress and make you feel more productive and let’s face it, who doesn’t want to feel that way during a meeting?
The Mandarin Oriental boasts a tremendous backlog of history and a location ideal for any weary travel in need of a dose of luxury. Famous names who’ve graced its glamour include Jane Seymour, Liam Neeson OBE, Morgan Freeman and more, telling us that the famed hotel must be doing something right.
Find the Mandarin Oriental at 66 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA, www.mandarinoriental.com
