Mandarin Oriental Mayfair officially opens

Mandarin Oriental has officially opened the group’s second property in London with the opening of Mandarin Oriental Mayfair on Hanover Square. The boutique sister property to Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park comprises 50 guest rooms and suites, 77 private residences, award-winning chef Akira Back’s London restaurant debut, two bars and a spa. Designed by internationally renowned Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, Mandarin Oriental Mayfair is the first new build in Mayfair for over a decade and brings a modern architectural approach. RSHP has created a Vierendeel structured building – one of the first in the UK – that provides wide internal space and an “elegant contemporary” townscape façade, clad with burnt red brick “baguettes”, inspired by the Georgian terraces that surround the hotel. The 50 guest rooms and suites, along with 77 private residences crafted by British based Studio Indigo, have blended Mandarin Oriental’s Asian heritage with locally inspired elements to create a “distinct identity”. Inspired by haute couture, every guest room has been imagined as a jewellery box, with a palette that includes emerald green, maroon and turquoise, using timbers, marbles, soft fabrics and carpets, bespoke lighting and furniture complemented by metallic finishes in brass, bronze and gold. House of de Gournay hand-painted silk wallpaper is the focal point of the rooms. Its flowering magnolia design – whose leaves have been considered in relation to the Feng Shui of each room – is a nod to the trees found in Hanover Square, whilst the chinoiserie is a subtle reference to the hotel group’s oriental heritage. The reception, atrium, Akira Back restaurant, ABar Lounge, 14-seater chef’s table Dosa, private dining rooms and spa have used colour and texture to great effect. The large sculptural lobby and reception to the spa features green Ming marble to reflect the green spaces of Hanover Square, Berkeley Square and Green Park, whilst the dining spaces have been inspired by “a walk in the park” and the natural elements of wind, water, earth and fire, reflected through lighting, suspended structures and metallic ceilings. The creative culinary concepts of award-winning chef Akira Back make their UK debut at Mandarin Oriental Mayfair. Born in Korea, raised in Colorado and having helmed some of the very best Japanese restaurants in the world, he brings “a sense of adventure and boundless creativity” to his culinary creations. Comprising 148 seats, including three private dining rooms, the Akira Back restaurant will offer some of his greatest hits, including the AB Tuna Pizza, a wafer-thin crunchy crust, umami aioli made with ponzu sauce, tuna sashimi, micro shiso and white truffle oil. Drinks can be enjoyed in the ABar Lounge, which features an “artistic” cocktail programme and small bites menu accompanied by a line-up of live DJs open until late. In addition, later in 2024 will see the opening of the ABar Rooftop for drinks and dining, with panoramic views over the London skyline. The subterranean Spa at Mandarin Oriental Mayfair brings binaural biohacking treatments, offering stress release, mindfulness, awaken and power nap as quick fix 22-minute experiences. Two experiences, exclusive to The Spa, have been inspired by the local surroundings – a four-handed “Tranquillity of Mayfair” massage therapy and a signature “Elegance of Mayfair” facial. The Spa also offers a 25-metre swimming pool, sauna, vitality pools and experience showers, a state-of-the-art gym, personal training, reformer Pilates, nutritional consultations, physiotherapy and NormaTec massage technology.