HOTSPOT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL
WHAT IS IT?
Situated in a prime spot of London’s Knightsbridge overlooking Hyde Park, the Mandarin Oriental is the ultimate in luxury hotels. Its grand entrance hall, shimmering marble lobby and serene spa and wellness centre are nothing less than stunning thanks to a multi-million pound refurbishment masterminded by top designer Joyce Wang. All of the 181 rooms and suites are exquisitely decorated with mirrors, artwork and furniture in calming tones, inspired by the colours of Hyde Park just outside. With Miller Harris toiletries, a well-stocked mini bar and high end technology, you won’t ever need to leave your room. But if you do decide to venture out, a sumptuous afternoon tea in The Rosebery on the ground floor is a fabulous option. The art deco-inspired tearoom has beautiful lights, huge glass windows and sage green upholstery. OK! opted for a pre-dinner glass of champagne in the stylish Mandarin Bar. Fashion fans will be impressed by the bar, which is modelled on a catwalk, topped with copper light fixtures and shimmering golden glass walls. Heston Blumenthal runs a Michelin-starred restaurant at the hotel but for a more informal dining experience head to Bar Boulud. Under the direction of hotshot chef Daniel Boulud, the menu offers seasonal, rustic French cooking. OK! enjoyed the moules à la crème (£19) followed by the steak frites (£23) all washed down with an espresso martini.
WHY DO WE LOVE IT?
The Mandarin Oriental is perfectly placed if you want to explore the luxury shops of Knightsbridge or take a stroll in Hyde Park. But our favourite thing was the plush spa, which boasts a stunning swimming pool and an extensive treatment list. OK! was celebrating a special birthday so we went all out and booked an Oriental Qi treatment (£265 for 1 hour 50 minutes) which was both calming and energising. The treatment started with a foot massage and a full body exfoliation and finished with an all over body massage. We floated up to our room afterwards, feeling 20 years younger!
WHO GOES?
Helen Mirren, Darcey Bussell, Rami Malek and Dev Patel are all fans. In fact, Dev says he loves the luxury bathrooms and that’s where he learns his lines for his latest films.
WHAT ELSE?
The breakfast menu really sets itself apart from other hotels. The wellness smoothie (banana, spinach, apple, ginger, mint, parsley) was super tasty as was the homemade granola with berries. In the spa, there’s a new forest therapy massage which features hot stones and a purifying mud mask (£195 for 80 minutes) and is going on the top of OK!’S Christmas list.