PRECEDING my move to London, I had long been fascinated with the notoriety of The Mandrake.
Seeing photos of its luscious terrace, or videos of its halls which were the backdrop for the Fecal Matter duo’s fashion shows, there’s a reason it remains a one-of-a-kind tchotchke against a rolodex of world class luxury hotels, unafraid to be provocative and hedonistic in its demeanour – and yet makes for a beautifully soul-restoring stay which encapsulates holistic vacationing in its entirety.
With social media often seeing our own day-to-day experiences in live time, it is not rare for style to completely replace substance in establishments which masquerade as luxury.
Fortunately for visitors, The Mandrake encompasses both, and channels it through excellent interior design, a captivating jungle-like courtyard and promotion of upcoming creatives through its fantastic artist-in-residence programme.
Jurema Terrace
Penthouse Suite
If there was one word which could define the design of the hotel, it would be sultry.
From the dimly-lit entrance hall and lobby, to the dark onyx walls and illuminating bursts of natural colour, the residence is a feast of curated stylings that make it a true individual.
As I make my way from the hallway and into my room, I am welcomed into an oasis of comfort and curiosity, with a view over looking a terrace that could easily be mistaken for somewhere in Southeast Asia rather than Fitzrovia.
YOPO
Waeska Bar
After taking a beat to unpack and refresh with an arsenal of complimentary Grown Alchemist cosmetics, I head down through the layers of foliage and social buzz to the restaurant, YOPO. Promoting an excellent selection of South American dishes, this gem of central London remains as good as I remembered.
Experimental cocktails, a varied sharing menu and a combination of live music and artistically decked out walls make for a truly decadent experience. Though the meal itself is a standout, the staff of the hotel truly make the atmosphere all the more enjoyable, treating guests like old friends rather than passing customers.
The food had prepped me for a night of DJ’s and cocktails at the in-house Waeska bar, which itself encapsulated the energy of a lively central London hideaway. Not before long, the music had silenced and I was back within my room for an incredibly restful night sleep.
Greenhouse
Spiritual Healing
One aspect of the hotel which I adored is its promotion of holistic regeneration, replacing typical spa treatments with spiritual teachings, reiki healing and sound baths. As if awakening overlooking an oasis of fern wasn’t serene enough, I was off to enjoy a morning shamanic healing from the House of Jiriki.
As someone who themselves is beginning to explore their spirituality, this was a beautiful addition to an already beautiful stay, and was the perfect way to end my visit.
After leaving The Mandrake I felt entirely rested which, isn’t always the case after staying at a luxury hotel. From the moment I checked in, to the moment I checked out, my comfort and peace of mind was ensured faultlessly by the five-star team, made all the more prominent through their dedication to holistic healing and artistic interior designs.
To say they are a rarity amongst the summit of London hotels would be an immense understatement.
by Ben Sanderson