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The Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park Hotel London – experiences for all to enjoy

I recently stayed at the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park Hotel in London with my daughter and enjoyed every moment of being treated like a Princess in one of the best hotels in London. On that occasion, I was lucky enough to be staying as a guest of the hotel, but not everyone can afford such luxury.

So that got me thinking about how you can enjoy something of the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park’s special atmosphere of luxury and service without spending a king’s ransom. I remembered when I visited a friend who was living in Istanbul some years ago and we’d wander through the the Kempinski Ciragan Palace, one of the most classy hotels in town.

We’d re-apply our lipstick in the marble bathrooms, lounge around in the open public areas, window-shop in the hotel souvenir shops and galleries, then perhaps while away a long afternoon over Sunday brunch buffet as a special treat. We had the experience of being there in luxury without the expense of actually staying there. So in the same spirit, here a few things you might also enjoy at the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park if you’re visiting London.

The Mandarin Bar at the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park
The Mandarin Bar at the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park

Sip a cocktail in the Mandarin Bar

When we arrived at the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park we relaxed with a coffee in the Mandarin Bar, with it’s leather and gold velvet sofas, colorful bottles behind frosted glass, and open glass wine cage. It felt like an elegant take on the exclusive gentleman’s club that the hotel was originally built for. However, at night the bar really comes into it’s own as a classy and lively cocktail bar for the grown-up set, with live music playing most nights.

Saturday night at the Mandarin Oriental

On the Saturday night that we were there, we could hear the chatter of conversation and jazz trio playing in one corner and I certainly wouldn’t have minded sipping one of the exotic cocktails with friends, perhaps a ‘Conde Nast Traveler’ of Cuban rum, rhubarb puree, pomegranate juice and cinnamon sugar. I was told that they’d just recruited a new bar manager, who was busy revamping the cocktail menu, so I’d definitely go back to the Mandarin Bar another time to listen enjoy a cocktail or two and the live music.

Park Restaurant at Mandarin Oriental, Hyde park
Park Restaurant at Mandarin Oriental, Hyde park
Park Restaurant at Mandarin Oriental, Hyde park
Park Restaurant at Mandarin Oriental, Hyde park

Celebrity chefs, Daniel Boulud and Heston Blumenthal

Chef, Daniel Boulud
Chef, Daniel Boulud

I can’t mention the food at the Mandarin Oriental without letting you know that there are more treats to come on the culinary front at the hotel. If you’re up on your celebrity chefs, you’d be first in line when the new Bar Boulud opened on the ground floor, from French born, New York based, chef, Daniel Boulud.

The new wine bar and contemporary French bistro is a sister restaurant to the established Bar Boulud in New York and draws on the seasonal French dishes, wines and charcuterie of Boulud’s childhood near Lyon.

Bar Boulud at the Mandarin Oriental

A feature of Bar Boulud is that you can enjoy exceptional wines by the glass that are carefully selected to compliment the food and charcuterie. That’s one thing I’d appreciate as I rarely drink more than a glass or two in an evening, so I’d prefer them to be really good quality, rather than cheap and cheerful.

Heston Blumenthal at the Mandarin Oriental

The main hotel restaurant has British celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal at the helm. Blumenthal is well known for his culinary magic in combining unlikely combinations of tastes and textures for a truly sensory dining experience. Blumenthal has a well established reputation from his three Michelin star restaurant, The Fat Duck in Bray as well as The Hinds Head pub of the same village, but this is his first venture in Central London, bringing his unique style to international visitors to London.

Afternoon Tea on the Park Terrace overlooking Hyde Park

Park Terrace at the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, London
Park Terrace at the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, London

One of the great features of the Mandarin Oriental is that it has Hyde Park as it’s back garden (literally). If you’re lucky enough to get a room at the back of the hotel, then you’ll have a view of the Serpentine lake, glistening through the trees.

And adjoining the restaurant overlooking the park is the Park Terrace where you can take al fresco lunches and afternoon tea between May and September (the Great British Summer permitting) If you’d like to experience the quintessential English teatime experience, then this is where I’d love to be on a sunny afternoon, tucking into fresh baked scones and some strawberry tart, washed down by an elegant cup of Earl Grey with a slice of lemon.

A spa experience at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

Spa at the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, London
Spa at the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, London

To finish off my luxury visit to the Mandarin Oriental without ever having checked in, I’d love to spend a few hours at the hotel spa, tucked away in a quiet corner of the ground floor. This is not the place to go in a girly gaggle for chatter and gossip, but a place to unwind and get some seriously pampering ‘me time’.

When I looked in on their reception area during my stay, I learned all about their signature spa therapies which have been developed by experts from the world of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and aromatherapy.

The products used are determined by the mood and personality of the client and are based on the five elements of Chinese Medicine; Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and each is matched to a blend of essential oils; Awaken, Bloom, Flourish, Release and Reflect.

Condé Nast Traveler voted this their Best Hotel Spa in the UK and I can see why, with each treatment tailored to your personality and mood to leave you feeling truly relaxed. The Mandarin Oriental signature spa therapy treatments session lasted around 3 hours, including time to relax in the steam room and Vitality pool, but what a lovely gift to give yourself, or even be treated to by your doting husband or partner (hint, hint)

Prince of Wales Suite at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hyde Park
Prince of Wales Suite at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hyde Park
Prince of Wales Suite at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hyde Park
Prince of Wales Suite at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hyde Park

Stay at the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park

Although I’ve mentioned some ways you can tap into the luxurious world of the Mandarin Oriental without actually staying there, I have to say that it is a wonderful place to base yourself in London, with the upscale shopping of Knightsbridge at the front door and the greenery of Hyde Park at the back door.

If staying in top class hotels is your normal way of travelling, or you’re looking for somewhere for that special break where you’ll be spoiled and treated to world class service, and if you love that classic English look combined with Oriental elegance, then this is the place for you.

Experience Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park

I hope I’ve convinced you that if your budget doesn’t stretch to staying at a top class hotel like the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London, then there are still affordable ways of experiencing the fantastic service and luxury you’ll get there. If you have been reading this and thinking that you could get that cup of tea at Starbucks for a fraction of the price then you obviously don’t get it and should try pitching your tent in Hyde park instead (only joking). You should think of it as buying into the luxury of a few hours in wonderful surroundings with charming and attentive staff, at a fraction of the price of actually staying there (not that I don’t recommend that too!)

Room in Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park
Room in Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park
Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park
Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park

Other London articles to enjoy

Weekend in London at the Mandarin Oriental – Podcast
They’re changing the guards at Buckingham Palace

My stay was hosted* by Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park Hotel in London

* More info on my policies page

This article may contain affiliate links that provide commission on purchases you make at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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wypadek przy pracy

Friday 30th of December 2011

Ich möchte Ihnen für diese Hinweise danken. Sie sind sehr nützlich.

Stephanie

Friday 2nd of December 2011

How I wish I could book here someday. I would definitely suggest this to my husband. I already have this on my list.

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