There’s a reason London is Calling. It’s refreshing to be in a culture of manners where chivalry isn’t dead. And there are a few places that inspire you to up your game just by hearing those darned charming accents. That and who doesn’t like afternoon tea? The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in Knightsbridge pretty much sums that all up. This is the review of a the Mandarin Oriental London, which is well, as London as it gets.
Overview
The Mandarin Oriental London in Knightsbridge will soon not be the only Mandarin Oriental in town, literally. In a few short moths, The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park will be joined its by sister property in Mayfair. The original Mandarin Oriental London hotel has been open for over 120 years. It relatively recently reopened in 2019 after a multi-year, multi-million dollar renovation. I say recently because 2020-2022 don’t really count. This massive refurb put the Mandarin Oriental London at the very top of the classic London hotels. This is the updated review of the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.
Atmosphere
The Mandarin Oriental is known for its distinct Asian minimalist aesthetic. When you walk into many of their hotels around the world, the Mandarin Oriental aesthetic drives the decor, not the destination. This is why so many people love the MO, and why I do too in many respects. It just feels like home. However at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, it’s the history and destination that are the foundation of the hotel, not the signature design. So that”s what’s unique about this particular property. The MO added just enough of its contemporary (though not really minimalist) aesthetic but respected the bones and history of the property. The result is a hotel that hits all the right notes for someone who wants to have a real London experience, but also appreciates updated design.
The Scene
What this means for the people-watching is that you get a unique crowd at the Mandarin Oriental Knightsbridge that sets it apart from other top tier hotels. The MO is a local Londoner’s hotel, where there seem to be just as many people who live in London as there are hotel guests. This makes the people watching and interactions with those if you’re looking to mingle much more interesting. The food and beverages venues actually encourage you to be social and you feel more like you live in London at the MO Hyde Park, than like a tourist. Unlike other classic hotels where I’ve stayed, you also don’t have gaggles of tourists there just to take photos. The people at the Mandarin effortlessly belong there, which for me made the experience of staying at the hotel much more enjoyable.
Rooms
My first and only stay at the Mandarin Oriental London was about 14 years ago. I can’t say that I was a fan of the rooms, which were in need of updating and did not reflect the Mandarin Oriental aesthetic at all. I always appreciate a sense of place when you go to a hotel, but it was way too old English with heavy draperies and too much print everywhere.
With the re-opening of the hotel in 2019, it’s night and day. The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park’s renovation of the rooms has put at among the very top, even above my old favorites in the Maybourne group. There is a clear sense of place that you’re in London when you arrive at the hotel, but also a fresh and contemporary feel to the furniture and design. It’s modern, fresh and elegant English, if there’s a way to best describe it. Gone are the multi-flower heavy prints everywhere and in its place are elegant color palates. The rooms are also more ample than other places I stay that have the English/London feel. If you’re looking for a hotel that finds the right balance of contemporary and English aesthetic, it’s tough to beat the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park right now.
Dining + Common Areas
The restaurants, bars and lounges at the Mandarin Oriental London have always been tops. Heston Blumenthal still has his multi-Michelin star restaurant and it may even be better than ever. The Rosebery has the best fancy tea right now in the city. I went to my go-to favorite (I won’t say where) and it wasn’t even edible. Not only is the space at The Rosebery beautifully laid out where you can see the entire room to people watch, but the food was tops.
Breakfast is a scene of more Londoners than hotel guests; it’s like the power breakfast place in London right now. The garden is closed at this point but to sit on the terrace overlooking Hyde Park is something no one else has in this tier of hotels. The Aubrey is new since I was in London last, and the Japanese food was one of my better meals on the trip. Also the scene here was once again more local Londoners than tourists.
The more things change though, it’s nice that some things stay the same, like the MO Bar. This was always my spot for a pre-game drink or nightcap, even when I wasn’t staying at the hotel.
Spa + Gym
If there’s one aspect that the Mandarin is known for as a whole, besides their minimalist aesthetic, it’s their spas. Of the hotel groups, the spa experience is core to the culture at the Mandarin. The Mandarin Oriental London location is one of the tops that I’ve been to in the world. First is the expanse of the operation, which is a massive two-level subterranean den of relaxation. To say that the therapists are skilled is to say that Roger Federer played a little tennis in his career. I had a 2 hour massage and scrub that both had physical benefits and detoxification, that was not surface level. I felt real change after the treatment. The relaxation room, plunge pools and steam were all worth it to dedicate a full day, which I did to recover. I was also introduced to a new brand of products, Oskia, during my stay, which I even ordered for home.
Below the sublevel of the spa is the gym, which has better equipment than my Equinox in New York. Ditto on the pool experience, which is supremely relaxing if you want to take a day to swim and sleep. I’ve focused more on wellness while I travel and with the classes offered and facilities, got a real workout in during my stay. The gym facilities are one of the most important to me nowadays, and so far the Mandarin Oriental London is in one of my top 3 in town.
Overall: 8.5/10
My favorite old new hotel in London. Or is it new old hotel? Either way if I’m looking for a classic London stay, this is now my new top choice.
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FAQs
Q: Is there more than one Mandarin Oriental London?
A: Yes, this year the Mandarin Oriental will open a second Mandarin Oriental London in Mayfair. This will bar the sister hotel to the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.
Q: What restaurants are located in the Mandarin Oriental London?
A: The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has the following food and beverage options at the hotel:
- Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
- The Aubrey
- The Rosebery
- Mandarin Bar
- Breakfast by Mandarin Oriental
- Hyde Park Garden
Q: Where is the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park located?
A: The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London is located in the Knightsbridge neighborhood. Its address is:
