Fodor's Expert Review Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

In the five-star London hotel game there’s luxury and then there’s the Mandarin Oriental London, whose ability to deliver the height in service while maintaining a reputation for grace and style makes it the choice of only the wealthiest guests. Pillow menus, rooms filled with high-end tech gadgetry, butlers on every floor—at this hotel, if you have the money then your every whim can be catered to. Located in Knightsbridge and backing onto Hyde Park, the grand Victorian hotel and its Oriental meets contemporary modern interior theme is the place to indulge yourself with a super exclusive London escape.

YOU SHOULD KNOW For all the lavish details, stunning architecture and amazing service, the hotel still finds itself sat on a corner of Knightsbridge perennially clogged with traffic, that doesn't make for the prettiest entrance.

room

International royalty, Saudi princes and the world’s wealthiest tend to opt for the hotel’s palatial suites, however, for the record, the rooms are no slouches when it comes to grand design. Decorated in neutral greys, teals and blues, the design is art deco meets contemporary modern with statement chandeliers, leather topped writing desks and original artworks on the walls.

Renovation of rooms facing Knightsbridge were completed in 2017, with park view rooms next in line to receive a facelift. Suites with park views are well worth paying extra for.

bathroom

Opulent pearl-colored bathrooms are laden with marble and feature grand tubs and separate walk-in showers depending on your choice of room. Unsurprisingly extravagant, suite bathrooms are more like your own personal spa.

lobby

Given the price of rooms, the hotel has some serious first impressions to deliver to its guests and with a lobby as ostentatious as this, the wowing starts on entry. Wall-to-wall marble complements the chandelier-cum-installation in the ostentatious foyer, where guests can rest a while or take some time to spy on those other fortunate souls lucky enough to be arriving into the lap of luxury.

pool

A gorgeous twin-lane indoor pool features a chic black slate surround and stylish sun loungers. Oh, and a lap timer for those working on their stroke.

spa

Numerous treatment rooms offer a wide range of treatments and massage to guests on a wellness trip.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Currently undergoing renovation, the spa is set to remain closed to guests for the first half of 2018.

gym

The hotel’s fitness centre has state of the art Technogym equipment, a male sauna and a wind down area for post-workout reflection.

dining

Most hotels call in just one superstar chef to helm their flagship restaurant but the Mandarin Oriental London chooses two. First, there’s the Michelin-starred restaurant Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at which you can sample the English chef’s gastro extravaganza. Next, New York chef Daniel Boulud’s Bar Boulud provides the setting for gourmet burgers and brasserie classics in a more informal—yet no less swanky—environment.

drinking

The slick, contemporary Mandarin Bar is the place where the rabble get to sample the delights of a hotel off limits to most, meaning come five o’clock the general public descend on the bar to join hotel guests in drinking in one of Knightsbridge’s most exclusive bars.