THE Mandarin Oriental brand is synonymous with industry-defining luxury and refined elegance and one of its newest properties, Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, is certainly flying the brand’s prestigious flag high.
Nestled in the bustling heart of London’s two busiest shopping districts – Oxford Circus and Bond Street – and opposite Vogue House, former home of the eponymous style bible and other Conde Nast titles, this property is truly at the pulse of the action. However, inside the property is a sanctuary of calm and serenity.
A MO Mayfair bedroom
Upon entering, one is greeted in the lobby by a stunning constellation of crystals and lights by Preciosa suspended from the ceiling and the aroma of No. 22, a bespoke creation made for the hotel by famed perfumer Ormond Jayne, whose shop is just around the corner.
A few steps further in and a site-specific installation – the Hail chandelier – by Lee Broom forms a dramatic centre-piece to the spiral staircase into the cathedral-like Atrium restaurant where a breathtaking wall installation by Charlie Whinney draws the eye and yet, despite its enormous scale, does not dominate the space.
Artist Lee Broom next to his Hail chandelier
In fact, the hotel reads like a love affair with art. MO Mayfair has intentionally created an art program to support and nurture British artists based in, or connected to, London and has commissioned new works as well as providing an exhibition space.
Art here isn’t an afterthought, it’s intrinsic to the hotel’s essence. From the breathtaking, large-scale installations dotted throughout the hotel, including the oversized yet beautifully fragile nest by Julia Clarke which takes centre-stage in the spa, to the smaller sculptures and paintings placed thoughtfully throughout, art permeates the MO Mayfair experience.
Atrium restaurant with wall art installation by Charlie Whinney
The hotel also participates in Mayfair Design District, an initiative founded by James Malcolm Green and Anne Laure Pingreoun to promote the creativity of the area and is a partnership across several Mayfair galleries and spaces. This quarter’s theme promotes dialogue between East and West perspectives through the use of contemporary craft, design and sculpture and several of the pieces can be seen around the hotel.
Somssi by Chef Jihun Kim
Of course when mentioning an MO hotel it would be remiss not to mention the food. Atrium restaurant fuses traditional Mediterranean dishes Asian flavours such as gochujang-glazed heritage beef ribeye while Somssi restaurant by renowned chef Jihun Kim serves elevated Hwe – Korea’s version of sashimi as well as highly creative seasonal dishes and desserts.
The Hanover bar on the rooftop serves highly creative sushi alongside gorgeous cocktails, accompanied by a stunning view of London’s skyline and funky beats from the in-house DJ.
The subterranean pool
The hotel also boasts a subterranean 25-meter pool and a spa which offers treatments ranging from traditional Chinese medicine inspired massages – a nod to the brand’s Hong Kong roots – to binaural vibroacoustic therapy which entrains the brain to the frequencies of rest and repair.
This isn’t just another hotel, this is a vibrant, artistic, creative sensory journey from start to finish. One hotel with so much to say.
by Nicola Kavanagh
Room rates start from £1,000 per night