Yes it is. 

A visit to London’s Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park during the early autumn, glowingly reveals how the first phase of its extensive 18 month renovation further cements this historic hotel’s position as one of the most outstanding in the world.

The hotel remains open throughout the restoration, which will be complete in the third quarter of 2018.

With the elegant charm of the Knightsbridge neighbourhood and the gorgeous leafy Hyde Park at the hotel’s doorstep, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is at a location where one can experience the best of both worlds. Situated in the heart of London’s most fashionable shopping district, the north side of the property faces Hyde Park, offering panoramic vistas over Royal Parkland. 

Internationally renowned designer, Joyce Wang was commissioned to oversee the property’s overall design concept. She has taken her inspiration from the property’s Edwardian heritage, the hotel’s peaceful park side location, as well as the glamour of the early 20th century Golden Age of travel. 

A Modern Mandarin Hyde Park – has it gone to far? 

Absolutely not. 

Philippine Tatler got the chance to enjoy the first phase of the restoration and from what we have seen thus far we can confidently say that the renovated hotel is a must try.

The first phase revealed 95 brand new, sophisticated, contemporary and luxurious guest rooms in the Knightsbridge wing. The main lobby and reception lounge have also been revitalized and updated -- also slightly reconfigured to maximize natural daylight.

Don’t worry, the old-world charm of the marble staircase in the hotel’s entrance that leads you to the fireplace foyer has not been modernised. The elegant and timeless entrance remains the same – some things shouldn’t change.

The Mandarin removed its dark wood panels in the reception area and introduced lighter, brighter and more current interiors. Where the reception used to stand is now an expanded plush seating area with pops of colour from pillows, plants, and warm lighting from chic lamps.

The space is posh, inviting and comfortable at the same time. Despite the updated interiors, the building’s refreshed warm brick facade reassuringly remains a beacon of elegance in this part of town. 

Room Re-Design

The guest rooms have been transformed to be wonderfully light, sleek and contemporary. Majority of the décor colours are cool with touches of warm tones, when put together the ambience is welcoming and picture perfect. Each space has a unique layout, featuring alcoves, light grey paneled walls with white piping, and hand gilded mirror artwork. The mix of a stylish grey and white motif paired with light wood accents and stunning light fixtures make the hotel room feel like your very own apartment.

The rooms overlook Knightsbridge, Hyde Park or into the calm green vertical garden of the inner courtyard – each of which is a view worth having. The extremely spacious suites have individual layouts with elegant hallway entrances, double bathrooms, spacious bedrooms and walk-in closets.

The living areas are stunning -- furnished with a velvet upholstered sofa (which transforms into a large sofa-bed) and to-die-for wing-backed reading chairs. The posh Knightsbridge suites even have a library of hand picked books from the Mayfair publishers, Haywood Hill. The books are all excellent picks. Many introduce you to London or English culture but others are simply, top notch reads in a vast selection of genres.

All rooms have delicious beds with leather-tufted headboards, aged mirrors, trendy cork-board or paint splatter detailing against the walls, generously sized leather-topped desks. The accouterments that decorate the space range from rugs, wild life embellishments, (inspired by the natural beauty of Hyde Park), and funky light fixtures, all of which perfectly adorn the space.

The in-room amenities do not leave you wanting more -- no detail was over looked. The Mandarin makes sure that you will be able to entertain guests, and that your stay in the hotel will accommodate your every need. All rooms have a Bower and Wilkins music player with Bluetooth connectivity so playing a soundtrack to your vacation is not a problem.

Not a morning person? Battling jet-lag? No worries here – a full Nespresso coffee machine, tea set and a pillow menu are all available for you to make use of. 

Hungry for more? 

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal

Bar Boulud

This landmark is jam packed with dining destinations. From award winning restaurants, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Bar Boulud, plus the chic Roseberry Lounge, to the busy Mandarin Bar, you will be sure to have every craving met.

The Roseberry Lounge is high ceilinged, very stylish and is peppered with tasteful décor. The walls mirror that of the rooms, with the grey and white motif. Large, plush sofa chairs with rich fabrics enhance the lounge’s colour palette and add a level of sophistication to the overall ambience. There are touches of gold and dark wood, which bring add warmth and homey touch. The cherry on top is the luxe spread of lush flora and fauna. 

Don’t forget about room-service! We sure didn’t. Philippine Tatler put the hotel to the test by ordering an array of room service items, from Italian, Middle Eastern, to Asian dishes. To our pleasure, the flavour profile of every item we ordered was as if it was cooked by a local.

The selection of dining options is yet another reason why the Mandarin a must experience destination in London.

Why should you stay at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park?

Above all, the most alluring and convincing reason to fall in love with the Mandarin Hyde Park is the unimaginably outstanding concierge service. Every single member of the hotel’s concierge team is meticulous, respectful, elegant, proactive and knowledgeable.

They are unlike any other concierge service we have tried. Every caprice, whim and desire was met, and every expectation surpassed – they have truly mastered the service. Each concierge person and for that matter, doorman and bell hop too, remembered our names, faces, room numbers and appointments – the same goes for every other guest – making everyone feel as if they were the only person at the Mandarin Hyde Park.

The overall experience is memorable for all the right reasons. One will leave the hotel with plans for a return visit already in mind!

 

Photos: Courtesy of the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park