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Friendly, Cheerful & Discreet Boutique Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair, With Sensational Food from Chef Jihun Maxime Kim - London - November 2025

15/11/2025

A Mandarin Oriental Celebrity/ VIP Fan #imafan

For the last few weeks I have been living a Mandarin Oriental London dream. From a memorable Heston Blumenthal lunch (those smoked Scottish scallops) with the Acting GM of Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park Flavia, who I first met when she was GM of Mandarin Oriental, Miami; to Bonfire Night in the Hanover (rooftop) Bar at Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair trying their new cocktail list (The Shepherd's Mark spicy margarita is a must try) while looking at panoramic views & a Christmas party back at Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park next week with Ruinart champagne, King's Fine Food caviar & live music.

Anyway, this post focuses on my special stay last week at 50 room/ suite Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair, which only opened in June 2024:-

Deceptive Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair

The non-distinct exterior of the hotel makes it a surprise when you come through the doors and see the glamorous staircase down to the vast restaurant atrium filled with light from the large skylight.

Excitement That I Had Arrived

There is no imposing lobby but lots of green marble & from the doorman, to the concierge desk, to reception, I was welcomed by name with big smiles and a genuine feeling of warmth & excitement that I had arrived.

A Welcome With Asian Touches

A cold towel & ginger welcome drink was a nice touch of Asia and Manager Helmut and Kate (Director of Marketing & Communications) both came separately to welcome me personally.

An Exquisite Suite with Hand-Painted Wallpaper

My suite was more compact than I experienced during my stays in the other new luxury hotels in London but was beautiful and quiet with a Toto (Japanese) toilet and a vast bed. There was also a large bath & shower.

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The Exquisite New 'The Chancery Rosewood' in the Reimagined Former US Embassy in Grosvenor Square - London - August/ September 2025

4/9/2025

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The Chancery Rosewood is the talk of hoteliers here in London and I used to visit Finnish-American Eero Saarinen's US Embassy building in the 1990s, on behalf of the Bank of England. We drank in the basement bar with Embassy staff & US Marines would come to tell you when it was time to leave.

I have visited the TWA Hotel at JFK, Eero Saarinen was also the architect for this, and was stunned by that magnificent building. There is an August 2022 post about that.

Bentley Perfection

As soon as I saw the long wheelbase Bentley waiting in the Barbican to collect me, I knew I was in for a very special stay. Talking to driver Andrei on the journey confirmed this.

A Very Happy Welcome from Familiar Faces

I was welcomed to the 144 suite David Chipperfield redesigned The Chancery Rosewood at 24 - 31 Grosvenor Square by Nicole & Conor, who I knew from Pan Pacific, London, and my Butler Lidia. The grand ceremonial staircase, and hotel lobby, are very impressive.

Checked-in in my Stunning Suite

Butler Lidia undertook an in suite check-in, while pouring me a glass of Pol Roger champagne. Does life get much better than that.

There was a special cocktail for Issy too, as well as a vest made for him out of the green patterned fabric the hotel's pyjamas (which cost US$1,100) are made from. The pattern includes an eagle motif and an 18 Century map of Grosvenor Square.

The Weekend Financial Times & New York Times were all waiting for me.

My initials were not just on the pillow but on the suite key card and a bathroom towel too.

Loved the smell of the 'Never Go Alone' bath products in my huge marble bathroom and the fact they were made in Somerset.

GSQ: A Delicatessen with Outside Seating Overlooking Grosvenor Square

Lunch was a Reuben sandwich sitting outside in the hotel's delicatessen GSQ. Delicious but difficult to eat in a dignified manner. The dressing on the side salad was mouth-wateringly good.

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45 Park Lane; Peninsula, London; The Emory & Unbelievable Friends, a Birthday Beyond Compare - London - March 2025

31/3/2025

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Just booked Easter in Shrewsbury with mum. She loves this time of year.

A Birthday Surrounded by Love

Gus from Uruguay, & his sister Laura, celebrating my birthday with me would have been special anyway but going to The Royal Opera House to watch a George Balanchine ballet, drinking Veuve Clicquot champagne in the interval, was better than anything.

Our friend Johan treating us all to dinners (including Yauatcha & The Wolseley) was so kind & generous. We all drank 'SF Martinis' in The Wolseley, and ate my birthday cake from 45 Park Lane, on the evening of Gus & my birthdays. Complete perfection.

My 'Birthday Eve', Almost Better Than My Birthday

The day before my birthday started at Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park with balloons, complimentary champagne, an extra portion of dim sum and my 'usual' table watching the Household Cavalry ride past, while talking to Pim about the earthquake in Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand.

Outside Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park the Peninsula, London's vintage Rolls-Royce was waiting for me.

Peninsula, London Keep Exceeded My Expectations

At Peninsula, London MD Rolf, Manager Scott and the Peninsula, London teddy bear were waiting to greet me. Rolf told me the vintage Rolls-Royce took 5 years to refurbish to Peninsula's standards.

Up in Concorde/ Rolls-Royce themed 'Brooklands Bar' 'The Si Frew' cocktail had been created in my honour and was refreshingly delicious.

While I was in the bar Chef Francesco Dibenedetto came to chat again and later presented me with a bottle of olive oil from his parents' place in Italy. I was overwhelmed by this, and two bottles of the 'The Si Frew' cocktail with special Peninsula labels.

The Royal Opera House

It was 30 years since I last saw a ballet at The Royal Opera House. The evening was a surreal experience made even better by sitting next to Laura.

Another Si Frew Birthday

The actual day of my birthday started with breakfast at Four Seasons, London at Park Lane and hugs from their staff.

There were no balloons this year, or complimentary champagne, but Emma from Qatar joining me for a champagne breakfast more than made up for this, and the reduced birthday cake.

My gift was a Four Seasons pillow case personalised with my initials. Love this & it is already on my Dorchester hotel bed here in The Barbican. My Barbican bedroom currently smells like 45 Park Lane, thanks to one of their birthday gifts.

45 Park Lane Keep Blowing My Mind

Nothing about my birthday lunch at 45 Park Lane could have been any better.

A balloon on a golden thread; the 'SF Martini' being on another Wolfgang Puck cocktail list with beautiful wording; Chef Elliott Grover's mind-blowing good Wagyu steaks; another impressive (& delicious) birthday cake and Emily, Veronica and all the staff making me feel like a VVVIP.

Gifts including Ruinart champagne, and then being told my bill had been covered was just too much.

A Deep Tissue Adaptogenic Massage & Snow Shower at Surrenne at 'The Emory'

In the afternoon was my complimentary spa experience at The Emory, thanks to Roland Fasel at Maybourne Hotels.

Before the massage I tried the pool and snow shower. My massage involved infrared and music therapy. It was so relaxing, special and perfect.

I left my iPhone charging cable in the Surrenne spa. One of the concierges at Four Seasons, London at Park Lane went to retrieve this, while I was at dinner at The Wolseley. Four Seasons service at its best.

After Dinner at The Wolseley Drinks at Four Seasons, London at Park Lane

After dinner we returned to Four Seasons, London at Park Lane. I had left my gifts there &, as I said, their concierges were retrieving my charging cable.

We decided to have some last drinks and separate birthday cakes were produced for Gus & me. Peter did not charge me for my 'last SF Martini', which was a very kind gesture at the end of a perfect birthday day & helped to made up for the lack of complimentary champagne that morning.

Breakfast at Raffles, London at The OWO

The last of my birthday celebrations had to be at Raffles, London at The OWO. MD Philippe, and Manager Patrick, are both leaving in June 2025 but they have been so kind and generous to me and Philippe will become CEO of Dorchester Collection, including 45 Park Lane.

It was also UK Mothering Sunday and so I rang my mum and she had received my card with the photo of her I love on it.

I was so pleased Natalia was running breakfast again but sad to hear 'La Dame de Pic', the Anne-Sophie Pic restaurant at Four Seasons, Tower Bridge has closed down.

A birthday that rates 9 cover photos is clearly an '8 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) one. 45 Park Lane; Peninsula, London & The Emory all went way beyond the call of duty. My TWA Hotel bag now also sports a Peninsula luggage tag.

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Meeting Chef Nobu Matsuhisa; Lunch at 'Kioku by Endo'; A Breakfast Chat With Lynn Brutman, GM of Four Seasons, London at Park Lane; Celebrating Mum's Birthday; the 'SF Martini' Served in 'The Spy Bar' at Raffles at The OWO - Feb & Mar 2025

10/3/2025

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Having just 'survived' a particularly nasty bout of flu, felt I must explain the last few weeks.

Another Dream Comes True

Meeting Chef Nobu Matsuhisa was another dream come true and GM Grant Campbell & his team at Nobu Hotel London Portman Square made it such a special Sunday afternoon.

The 'SF Martini' was served again; Nobu's signature dishes are always much better than I expect & talking abut Nobu partner Robert De Niro was fascinating.,

Unbelievable Japanese Dishes on The Roof of Raffles, London at The OWO

Various people had recommended 'Kioku by Endo' on the roof of Raffles, London at The OWO and so I had to try it.

The views from there are spectacular and you must try their fatty tuna. My monkfish dish with smoked eel and watercress & ginger sauce was exceptional.

Breakfast at Pavyllon at Four Seasons, London at Park Lane

I had breakfasts at both Four Seasons in London after I got back from Shrewsbury.

The breakfasts at Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge continue to impress but the Park Lane hotel has been picked for my birthday weekend.

It was good to meet with GM Lynn Brutman again and talk about Chef Yannick Alleno's stipulation that there must be a French twist to their breakfasts.

The Best Birthday Mum Could Have Had

I went to Shrewsbury to celebrate mum's 82nd birthday.

From a perfect dinner with her in The Golden Cross; to a family Sunday lunch with her including my brother and me; to a beautiful cashmere scarf gift from one of her best friends; to me arriving on the day of her birthday to find a family friend already visiting her, it could not have gone any better.

The 'SF Martini' Served in The 'Spy Bar' at Raffles, London at The OWO; Pie, Mash & Liquor at The Grill by Tom Booton at The Dorchester; The 'Big Matt' at Hawksmoor, Guildhall & 'Pancake Day' at The Ivy City Garden

It was a few weeks of many exceptional dining & 'SF Martini' experiences (eg Chef Tom Booton's collaboration with pie & mash shop G Kelly led to a sublime chicken & mushroom pie, made even better by chilli vinegar. That, combined with the smooth mash & flavoursome liquor, made it all heaven on a plate).

Kiki and the team in the 'Spy Bar' at Raffles, London at The OWO are phenomenal.

Has The Ivy Expanded Too Far? & The Quality of the Ingredients in One Aldwych's Breakfast Should Justify Their High Prices

My only negative comments are that service at The Ivy City Garden was appalling (eg a drink ordered but forgotten and food & drinks not ordered attempted to be served several times).

The pastries served at One Aldwych were not fresh and the tomatoes, in my chorizo & egg dish, tasted processed, as did the Kent apple juice.

'SF Martini' Created by The Lana, Dubai, a Dorchester Collection Hotel

My 'SF Martini' will be served in The Wolseley on 29 March, the actual day of my birthday, thanks to The Dorchester. Still cannot believe I will be able to use The Peninsula, London's extended wheelbase green Rolls-Royce again on my 'Birthday Eve'.

It was another '8 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) few weeks, despite my illness. the afternoon with Chef Nobu alone would justify that score. Hope you enjoy the photos below.

I have breakfast with Roland Fasel again at Claridge's tomorrow. He is COO of Maybourne, which manages Claridge's, The Connaught, The Emory etc. We have know each other for more than 20 years. We first met when he was GM of The Dorchester.

It is a little ironic that The Emory are the only hotel not to have replied to any of my numerous messages about swimming in their pool on my birthday.

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Christmas & New Year in London, Orthodox Christmas with Mum in Shrewsbury & Chinese New Year at Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge - London & Shrewsbury - December 2024, January & February 2025

22/1/2025

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Two Christmases & two New Years, justify an unprecedented 6 cover photos.

An Unimaginably Perfect Christmas & New Year in London

From meeting Gavin (from my Shrewsbury School days) and his daughter Esther at 45 Park Lane for a Chef Elliott Grover lunch just before Christmas, they live in Fiji; to Four Seasons at Park Lane's astonishing disco Christmas tree; to friends from my Bermuda days, & their family, hosting me for Christmas Day & New Year's Eve on the 30th floor of The Barbican in unbelievable style (eg Michel Roux Jr Beef Wellington; a Christmas gift from Creed Fragrances etc), my first Christmas in London could not have been better and the strong winds on New Year's blew away the smoke and gave us an perfect view of London's New Year fireworks.

Dorchester Collection Continue to Be Difficult to Beat

On Christmas morning I ate a Dorchester hotel breakfast in my Barbican place opening sensational Christmas gifts from 45 Park Lane. Ruinart champagne, a spa candle, an 'It's a Wonderful Life' decoration from their Christmas tree etc. Pure class.

Chef Tom Booton's Sunday lunches in 'The Grill by Tom Booton' are sensational & they recently served me a 'SF Martini', created by The Lana, Dorchester Collection's `Dubai hotel.

Orthodox Christmas in Shrewsbury

Although I was unable to spend 25 December with mum, we did spend the Gregorian Christmas together. We pulled crackers from Claridge's & The Dorchester and video called her granddaughter in Moscow.

The Year of the Snake

I celebrated Chinese New Year at Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge. Adored my 'free' 'Wood Snake' cocktail and my chocolate coated kumquat & oolong tea dessert was exquisite.

Thanks to Martine at Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge I now have one of the only teddy bears reflecting the new name of that Four Seasons.

Hope the photos below convince you it was a '8 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) Christmas and New Year. Must also mention 'free' Moet pink champagne, & chocolates, at breakfast at Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair & the beautiful emails from their GM. Pan Pacific, London continue to provide 'free' Laurent Perrier champagne too.

I meet Chef Nobu this weekend. Another dream comes true. Just sad I have not heard from the mother of my godson over Christmas or New Year but 'phone calls with my friend in New York keep me cheerful.

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the luxury travel blog

Friendly, Cheerful & Discreet Boutique Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair, With Sensational Food from Chef Jihun Maxime Kim - London - November 2025

The Exquisite New 'The Chancery Rosewood' in the Reimagined Former US Embassy in Grosvenor Square - London - August/ September 2025

45 Park Lane; Peninsula, London; The Emory & Unbelievable Friends, a Birthday Beyond Compare - London - March 2025

Meeting Chef Nobu Matsuhisa; Lunch at 'Kioku by Endo'; A Breakfast Chat With Lynn Brutman, GM of Four Seasons, London at Park Lane; Celebrating Mum's Birthday; the 'SF Martini' Served in 'The Spy Bar' at Raffles at The OWO - Feb & Mar 2025

Christmas & New Year in London, Orthodox Christmas with Mum in Shrewsbury & Chinese New Year at Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge - London & Shrewsbury - December 2024, January & February 2025

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