Located in one of the best locations in the city, Mandarin Oriental is brilliantly located in Knightsbridge, overlooking Hyde Park.
The hotel’s exquisite rooms and suites were created by internationally acclaimed designer, Joyce Wang and it is undeniably one of the city’s finest culinary destinations and an oasis of calm featuring two outstanding restaurants, two Michelin stars, a magnificent bar, and the extensively restored and enlarged Spa at Mandarin Oriental, London.
▪️Rooms
The rooms with Art Deco touches in wardrobes and bedside tables, with pale colours, silver and etched glass predominating. The bathrooms are all white, with heated Japanese loos. Bedrooms are, as you would expect, superbly equipped and supremely comfortable. Rooms overlooking Hyde Park are more expensive than those overlooking busy Knightsbridge (no noise, though, thanks to excellent insulation) but worth the extra money for the sense of waking up in the middle of the countryside.
▪️Service and Facilities
With a team lead by Amanda Hyndman, previously GM at Mandarins in Bangkok and Washington, the service is exemplary, and the staff is smiling and engaged. On arrival, guests are greeted with a hot flannel and a soothing cup of lemongrass tea.
The hotel has a deceptively large subterranean spa with 17-meter pool and a fitness center. It also possesses a beautiful gilded ballroom where the Queen and Princess Margaret learned to dance in the 1930s, exhorted by their teacher Madam Vacani to ‘hold up your darling heads’.
Restaurants
The Aubrey London
An eccentric Japanese izakaya experience inspired by the journey of a hungry mind. The food menu draws on the classical techniques of Edomae sushi, Tempura, and Robata, The Aubrey is an interpretation of the philosophy of a traditional izakaya. Guests can enjoy small dishes designed for sharing, with expert drink pairings in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere, served to the soundtrack of Japanese trap music, capturing the energy of Ginza. A labyrinth of velvet, marble, and wood set the scene for two bars, intimate corners, and rooms to be discovered – a home-away-from-home. Plush spaces glowing with ambient lights include a library, the salon, and the curio lounge, each designed to suit a variety of entertainment occasions with music and cocktails continuing until late. Aubrey London will transform into a lively destination in the evening, which will redefine the Knightsbridge night scene.
The Hyde Park Terrace
A tranquil space in the heart of the city. With uninterrupted views of one of London’s iconic Royal Parks, the Hyde Park Terrace is the undiscovered jewel in the heart of Knightsbridge. You can sit outside at one of the capital’s most desirable tables and be inspired by Dinner by Heston Blumenthal’s fascination with historic British gastronomy throughout this London summer.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
Inspired by Heston Blumenthal’s fascination with historic gastronomy, Dinner is one of the world’s most celebrated restaurants. First conceived in the late 1990s, the idea for Dinner sprung from Heston’s fascination with the savory ice creams of the late 1800s, the theatre of the Tudor dining experience, and the dishes featured in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Through his research, Heston realized that obsession with food is no modern-day phenomenon, he worked with food historians and the team at Hampton Court Palace, as well as reading cookbooks such as those by the royal chefs of King Richard II. The result is Dinner’s thrilling menu, which perfectly fuses the historic with the contemporary in a uniquely exciting manner.
Providing the ideal backdrop to the menu, the restaurant’s interior is contemporary and innovative, yet mindful of tradition. Through floor-to-ceiling glass walls, diners enjoy a view of the kitchen and its unique pulley system, which has been modeled after a version used by the Royal court and rotates the spit over an open fire. Ivory-painted walls are decorated with custom-made porcelain wall sconces in the shape of antique jelly moulds and, of course, the uninterrupted views of Hyde Park, King Henry VIII’s former hunting grounds, bring the historical connection full circle.
The Rosebery
The perfect Knightsbridge backdrop for all-day dining, afternoon tea, and champagne cocktails. Discover a quintessentially British experience by joining us for traditional afternoon tea at The Rosebery, one of London’s most fashionable destinations. With an extensive selection of the finest teas from around the world including Oriental Afternoon Blend, Darjeeling First Flush from India and the Apricot White from China, our dedicated Tea Master has created an enticing menu of bespoke blends that are reflective of rich heritage and commitment to quality. To complement your choice of selected teas, the restaurant serves a range of perfectly matched delicacies created by an experienced team of pastry chefs. Wine, Sake, and Beer pairings are also available to create the ultimate experience. Set against a stylish, contemporary backdrop, Afternoon Tea in The Rosebery at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is a truly memorable occasion.
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea
Be part of history as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrates 70 years on the throne and mark the Platinum Jubilee with an afternoon tea inspired by decadent dishes served at the Royal table, specially curated by our pastry team to reflect the best of the British heritage. Experience the culinary fascination of the Buckingham Palace Kitchens as you indulge yourself with our delicate menu featuring sweet and savory delights such as The Coronation Chicken, firstly served at our Monarch’s coronation banquet in 1953, and The Queen’s Jam Pennies, an afternoon treat adored by Royalty. Inspired by Her Majesty’s travels, the restaurant invites you on a journey to discover the teas we believe she loves – carefully selected blends including The English Rose, Darjeeling Second Flush from the Namring Garden, Assam Second Flush grown in India, and Earl Gray with distinct aromas of bergamot cultivated in Southern Italy.
Feel like Royalty as you are welcomed with a glass Bollinger champagne, the oldest of the great Champagne houses to be a royal warrant holder, and, ultimately, elevate your afternoon tea experience with luxurious High Tea featuring an additional savory course.
Mandarin Bar
A cool, contemporary bar where you can unwind in style. The iconic Mandarin Bar has re-opened its doors with a fresh new look by Adam D. Tihany and an innovative cocktail list. The Mandarin Bar is one of London’s most popular nightspots with a contemporary design and buzzing atmosphere. The chic interiors are centered around a rectangular catwalk style bar, with suspended copper glass light fixtures and a gold geometric patterned frosted glass wall backdrop adding drama and glamour to the setting.
