| 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. |     |
| Vivienne Westwood; A 'Free' Mini Bar & Mead There was a chocolate fan that was scrumptious; fresh flowers; a bottle of Moet champagne chilling; a Vivienne Westwood silk scarf; a bottle of the scent of the hotel; a basket of exotic fruit; and a 'free' mini bar. The mini bar included more champagne, wine spirits and snacks. I would have like some crisps/ potato chips & sweets/ candy to be part of it too & more Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair branding on the snacks. However, a bottle Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair branded mead (honey wine), that is already on my legendary coffee table in The Barbican, & the exotic fruits basket, made up for this. Spa & Wellness: A Dazzling Pool & A Massage That Removed Tension Hope my photos give a good idea of how impressive the hotel's 25 meter pool is. It was also at a perfect temperature and great for swimming in. I had it to myself. There is a steam room, sauna, gym and hot pools with water jets. My hour long massage from Yuri (she had recently arrived from Japan) really helped to make me feel relaxed & relieved stress. It was such fun talking to her about Tokyo and Kyoto after. A Legendary Korean Inspired Chef's Table Dinner in Somssi by Jihun Kim I cannot say enough good things about dinner that evening. Loved that, as well as the menu, with my name in Korean, each course came with a card explaining the components of the dish. Heavenly Dishes Perfectly Presented The best wild sea bass of my life; caviar; ganjang lobster; shimmering galbi Wagyu beef; Korean BBQ sauce; kimchi; a bibimbap rice dish from heaven etc The final mandarin dessert was so light & refreshing. All the food was fresh, seasonal and full of flavour and there was such attention to detail. Fascinating Sommelier Andres All the staff were brilliant but the detailed descriptions from Sommelier Andres really added to the special experience. Must added that the other Chef's Table customers that evening were brilliant too. An 'SF Martini' in The Hanover (Rooftop) Bar It was a perfect end to an unforgettable evening drinking an 'SF Martini' in the rooftop bar with Chef Jihun Maxime Kim coming to check on me. In the photo of the table Greta wears Christian Lacroix and Issy the Vivienne Westwood silk scarf handmade from material left over from previous collections. Issy is only looking after it until I can give it to my niece Maria. She is based in Moscow but I hope to see her in Shrewsbury next year again. Phenomenal Natura Bisse Products All the bathroom products were Natura Bisse and the bed turndown service left Natura Bisse Diamond Cocoon Sheer Eye. I already love this hydrating/ firming product. Slept So Well & Woke Brilliantly Rested I got an excellent night's sleep in the quiet suite with a huge comfortable bed and luxury bed linen. The 500 thread Egyptian cotton feels silky. An Exceptional Room Service Breakfast Every aspect of my room service breakfast was outstanding. Even my soft scrambled eggs were perfect and the pancakes so fluffy & light. A 'Final' Swim & Then a Group Photo With Staff My swim the next day was just as good (it was my 'private pool' again) and I had been told I could use my suite until 4pm. I was so pleased GM Hemal, Manager Helmut, Chef Jihun Maxime Kim & Eray (Director of Residences) were amongst the staff in the photo before I left. They were all a big part in the exceptional score Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair achieved for my stay. Kate missed it but we had a photo when I arrived and she knows how much I appreciated her help organising my dinner, massage etc Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair rates an '8 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) score. The compact nature of my suite, & lack of personalised pillowcases & robes, was more than compensated for by Chef Jihun Maxime Kim's exceptional Chef's Table dinner, with paired drinks. Must thank GM Hemal & Manager Helmut for making this stay possible, at a very busy time for year for the hotel & for Hemal personally replying to my emails during my stay. Tips: go for the Chef's Table dinner and opt for the paired drinks. You will not regret it & you must swim in their pool. |                                            |
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