Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London
Encyclopedia
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London is a five-star
hotel, located in the exclusive Knightsbridge
district of London, owned and managed by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Housed in a historic, Edwardian-style building, the hotel originally opened its doors to the public as the Hyde Park Hotel in 1902. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group purchased the hotel in 1996 and conducted a complete renovation of the 198 rooms and suites, as well as a re-design of the restaurants and bar. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London re-opened in May 2000.
The project, originally known as Hyde Park Court, was announced in August 1887 but was delayed by endless planning disagreements, the most notable dispute being the proposed height of the development, which was to be the tallest building in London. Outraged residents feared a shadow would be cast over the Serpentine lake
in Hyde Park and they threatened to force the builders to reduce the number of floors by putting up a wooden barrier which would block the light to the lower floors. An unsuccessful Bill was brought before Parliament to reduce the restriction of buildings from 100 feet to 60 feet, and so the original design of the hotel remained.
Considerable skill was deployed in the creation of the dramatic skyline using red brick and Portland stone
in an eclectic Franco
-Flemish
style. Loggia
s were built to provide space for a pleasant summer’s evening lounge and promenade overlooking the park. Each of the first three floors was designed with four family suites and a bachelor’s suite. The upper floors were planned as single residences of varying sizes; however, more than half the tenants occupied at least two or more suites, with a certain dowager
occupying six.
The palatial interior decoration and the lavish use of marbles and gilding
were years ahead of the best London hotels of the time. The hall, entered from Knightsbridge through swinging doors of carved walnut, was lined with colored marble and had a fresco
ed ceiling, as well as a marble chimney-piece complete with a marble clock. Stairs of white marble flanked with balustrades led to the upper ground floor. This style of decoration continued in the principal communal rooms, including the breakfast and dining room overlooking Hyde Park.
After the necessary renovations, the building was reopened in 1902 as the Hyde Park Hotel, London’s newest and grandest hotel. The ceilings and marble floors had survived, and period fireplaces in the style of Louis XV and XVI were installed, while the furnishings echoed the 18th century style of Sheraton
and Hepplewhite.
Between 1911 and 1912, the Ballroom was redecorated in a style reminiscent of Louis XVI. In 1925, the architects Charles Frédéric Mewès
and Arthur Joseph Davis
, who also remodeled some of the principle rooms in a traditional Louis XV style, added a Palm Court.
of George VI in 1937 when the Crown gave special permission for the guests to use the park entrance.
Today, guests of Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London can still take part in this tradition of the hotel by requesting permission from the Royal Parks to use the ‘Royal Entrance’ for special occasions. Guests who have been granted access to this entrance include members of the Japanese Imperial family
, former South African Premier General Hertzog, and a President of Uganda
.
.
Other celebrations include the 1992 production of “Pavarotti in the Park”, one of the country’s largest open-air concerts, the 1995 Anniversary of VE Day in which seven Heads of State and their delegations took up residence, and ‘Party in the Park
’, one of Europe’s largest music events. The hotel was also proud to host the 80th birthday party of Lady Thatcher
which was attended most notably by HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh along with former Prime Ministers Sir John Major
& Tony Blair
, former politician Lord Archer, entertainers Dame Shirley Bassey
and Joan Collins
among others.
On 28 April 2011, the Queen's cousin, Lady Elizabeth Anson, hosted a party here for members of the British royal family and for the crowned heads who were attending the royal wedding the following day.
and in close proximity to such cultural landmarks as the Royal Albert Hall
and the Apsley House
, as well as the renowned department stores Harrods
and Harvey Nichols
.
the best hotel spa in the United Kingdom and one of the top 25 spas worldwide. The renowned spa features a comprehensive list of signature and other treatments, as well as a sanarium, vitality pool, Amethyst Crystal Steam Room, Zen Colour Therapy Relaxation area, and a complete fitness centre.
.
Star (classification)
Stars are often used as symbols for classification purposes. They are used by reviewers for ranking things such as movies, TV shows, restaurants, and hotels. For example, one to five stars is commonly employed to categorize hotels.-Restaurant ratings:...
hotel, located in the exclusive Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge is a road which gives its name to an exclusive district lying to the west of central London. The road runs along the south side of Hyde Park, west from Hyde Park Corner, spanning the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
district of London, owned and managed by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Housed in a historic, Edwardian-style building, the hotel originally opened its doors to the public as the Hyde Park Hotel in 1902. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group purchased the hotel in 1996 and conducted a complete renovation of the 198 rooms and suites, as well as a re-design of the restaurants and bar. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London re-opened in May 2000.
History
The early years
Overlooking London’s finest Royal Park on one side and cosmopolitan Knightsbridge on the other, the hotel was originally built in 1889 as an exclusive ‘Gentleman’s Club’ with lavishly furnished drawing and dining rooms, a billiard room, and a smoking room.The project, originally known as Hyde Park Court, was announced in August 1887 but was delayed by endless planning disagreements, the most notable dispute being the proposed height of the development, which was to be the tallest building in London. Outraged residents feared a shadow would be cast over the Serpentine lake
Serpentine (lake)
The Serpentine is a 28-acre recreational lake in Hyde Park, London, England, created in 1730. Although it is common to refer to the entire body of water as the Serpentine, strictly the name refers only to the eastern half of the lake...
in Hyde Park and they threatened to force the builders to reduce the number of floors by putting up a wooden barrier which would block the light to the lower floors. An unsuccessful Bill was brought before Parliament to reduce the restriction of buildings from 100 feet to 60 feet, and so the original design of the hotel remained.
Considerable skill was deployed in the creation of the dramatic skyline using red brick and Portland stone
Portland stone
Portland stone is a limestone from the Tithonian stage of the Jurassic period quarried on the Isle of Portland, Dorset. The quarries consist of beds of white-grey limestone separated by chert beds. It has been used extensively as a building stone throughout the British Isles, notably in major...
in an eclectic Franco
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
-Flemish
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
style. Loggia
Loggia
Loggia is the name given to an architectural feature, originally of Minoan design. They are often a gallery or corridor at ground level, sometimes higher, on the facade of a building and open to the air on one side, where it is supported by columns or pierced openings in the wall...
s were built to provide space for a pleasant summer’s evening lounge and promenade overlooking the park. Each of the first three floors was designed with four family suites and a bachelor’s suite. The upper floors were planned as single residences of varying sizes; however, more than half the tenants occupied at least two or more suites, with a certain dowager
Dowager
A dowager is a widow who holds a title or property, or dower, derived from her deceased husband. As an adjective, "Dowager" usually appears in association with monarchical and aristocratic titles....
occupying six.
The palatial interior decoration and the lavish use of marbles and gilding
Gilding
The term gilding covers a number of decorative techniques for applying fine gold leaf or powder to solid surfaces such as wood, stone, or metal to give a thin coating of gold. A gilded object is described as "gilt"...
were years ahead of the best London hotels of the time. The hall, entered from Knightsbridge through swinging doors of carved walnut, was lined with colored marble and had a fresco
Fresco
Fresco is any of several related mural painting types, executed on plaster on walls or ceilings. The word fresco comes from the Greek word affresca which derives from the Latin word for "fresh". Frescoes first developed in the ancient world and continued to be popular through the Renaissance...
ed ceiling, as well as a marble chimney-piece complete with a marble clock. Stairs of white marble flanked with balustrades led to the upper ground floor. This style of decoration continued in the principal communal rooms, including the breakfast and dining room overlooking Hyde Park.
The Great Fire & The Hyde Park Hotel
In 1899, a devastating fire struck the property, damaging the top three floors of the Knightsbridge wing and destroying part of the roof, including the central iron and glass turret. All residents made a successful escape, despite the fire brigade’s ladders only reaching halfway up the building.After the necessary renovations, the building was reopened in 1902 as the Hyde Park Hotel, London’s newest and grandest hotel. The ceilings and marble floors had survived, and period fireplaces in the style of Louis XV and XVI were installed, while the furnishings echoed the 18th century style of Sheraton
Sheraton Style
Sheraton is a late 18th century neoclassical English furniture style, in vogue ca 1785 - 1820, that was coined by 19th century collectors and dealers to credit furniture designer Thomas Sheraton, born in Stockton-on-Tees, England in 1751 and whose books, "The Cabinet Dictionary" of engraved...
and Hepplewhite.
Between 1911 and 1912, the Ballroom was redecorated in a style reminiscent of Louis XVI. In 1925, the architects Charles Frédéric Mewès
Charles Mewès
Charles Frédéric Mewès was a French architect and designer.-Biography:Charles Frédéric Mewès was born at Strasbourg. He came from a Jewish family of Baltic origin. The whole family left Alsace in 1870 during the Prussian invasion. At 20, he joined the office of Jean-Louis Pascal, a then famous...
and Arthur Joseph Davis
Arthur Joseph Davis
Arthur Joseph Davis was a British architect. Davis studied at the Paris École des Beaux-Arts in the 1890s. He was the co-partner in the firm Mewes & Davis, with Charles Mewès. The firm designed the elevations and interior decoration of the London Ritz Hotel which introduced modern French comfort...
, who also remodeled some of the principle rooms in a traditional Louis XV style, added a Palm Court.
A Royal Entrance
As a private ‘Gentleman’s Club’, the entrance to the building was through the Loggia, but in 1902, when it reopened as Hyde Park Hotel, the postal address had changed from Albert Gate to 66 Knightsbridge. Tradition has it that the Queen would not allow any form of advertising within the Park, and therefore insisted that the main entrance, with the hotel’s name above it, be moved from the Park side to Knightsbridge. The Queen consequently mandated that the original entrance be preserved for Royal use, unless permission is otherwise granted by the Royal Household, which has been upheld ever since. The doors were opened during the coronationCoronation
A coronation is a ceremony marking the formal investiture of a monarch and/or their consort with regal power, usually involving the placement of a crown upon their head and the presentation of other items of regalia...
of George VI in 1937 when the Crown gave special permission for the guests to use the park entrance.
Today, guests of Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London can still take part in this tradition of the hotel by requesting permission from the Royal Parks to use the ‘Royal Entrance’ for special occasions. Guests who have been granted access to this entrance include members of the Japanese Imperial family
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
, former South African Premier General Hertzog, and a President of Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
.
Noteworthy Events
Many important events have been held at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. A few such events were Lady Very’s silver wedding party in 1948, with the King and Queen as guests of honor, and the legendary Balaclava Ball, hosted by the five cavalry regiments who had taken part in the charge, also attended by the Queen, Prince Philip, and the late Queen MotherQueen mother
Queen Mother is a title or position reserved for a widowed queen consort whose son or daughter from that marriage is the reigning monarch. The term has been used in English since at least 1577...
.
Other celebrations include the 1992 production of “Pavarotti in the Park”, one of the country’s largest open-air concerts, the 1995 Anniversary of VE Day in which seven Heads of State and their delegations took up residence, and ‘Party in the Park
Party in the Park
Party in the Park is the generic name given to music concerts organised by various radio stations and local authorities in England and Wales, typically in large parks during the summer.-Leeds' Party in the Park:...
’, one of Europe’s largest music events. The hotel was also proud to host the 80th birthday party of Lady Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
which was attended most notably by HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh along with former Prime Ministers Sir John Major
John Major
Sir John Major, is a British Conservative politician, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990–1997...
& Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
, former politician Lord Archer, entertainers Dame Shirley Bassey
Shirley Bassey
Dame Shirley Bassey, DBE , is a Welsh singer. She found fame in the late 1950s and was "one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the last half of the 20th century"...
and Joan Collins
Joan Collins
Joan Henrietta Collins, OBE , is an English actress, author, and columnist. Born in Paddington and raised in Maida Vale, Collins grew up during the Second World War. At the age of nine, she made her stage debut in A Doll's House and after attending school, she was classically trained as an actress...
among others.
On 28 April 2011, the Queen's cousin, Lady Elizabeth Anson, hosted a party here for members of the British royal family and for the crowned heads who were attending the royal wedding the following day.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group purchased the Hyde Park Hotel in November 1996 and renamed it Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. Following a £57 million restoration, and its re-opening in May 2000, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has received numerous awards for its service, restaurants, and management, most recently Top 500 World’s Best Hotels by Travel + Leisure US in 2009 and a Michelin star for its signature restaurant Foliage for an impressive eight consecutive years.Royal Guests
- Queen MaryQueen Mary-Monarchs:* Maria of Montferrat , queen regnant of Jerusalem, daughter of Isabella I of Jerusalem and Conrad of Montferrat and mother of Isabella II of Jerusalem...
was a regular visitor - The Prince of Wales - later King Edward VII - came for society balls and most of his semi-official engagements
- Princess AlexandraPrincess AlexandraPrincess Alexandra may refer to:*Alexandra the Maccabee of the Hasmonean Kingdom*Princess Alexandra of Denmark , oldest daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark, Queen consort of Edward VII...
attended elegant dances - Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the late HRH Princess MargaretPrincess Margaret, Countess of SnowdonPrincess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon was the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II and the younger daughter of King George VI....
first learned to dance here - The Duke of EdinburghPrince Philip, Duke of EdinburghPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch....
held his poloPoloPolo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Sometimes called, "The Sport of Kings", it was highly popularized by the British. Players score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team's goal using a...
and cocktail parties within the hotel as well as often bringing - Princess AnneAnne, Princess RoyalPrincess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
and Prince CharlesCharles, Prince of WalesPrince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
to tea when they were children - Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh were guests at Lady ThatcherMargaret ThatcherMargaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
’s 80th birthday party held in the hotel’s grand ballroom in October 2005.
The Hotel
The hotel contains 173 rooms and 25 suites, over half of which overlook Hyde Park. The hotel operates three acclaimed restaurants: two of which are open year-round, and the popular Mandarin Bar. Additional on-site amenities include an award-winning spa, fitness centre, and both large and small events spaces. The hotel is centrally located in KnightsbridgeKnightsbridge
Knightsbridge is a road which gives its name to an exclusive district lying to the west of central London. The road runs along the south side of Hyde Park, west from Hyde Park Corner, spanning the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
and in close proximity to such cultural landmarks as the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
and the Apsley House
Apsley House
Apsley House, also known as Number One, London, is the former London residence of the Dukes of Wellington. It stands alone at Hyde Park Corner, on the south-east corner of Hyde Park, facing south towards the busy traffic interchange and Wellington Arch...
, as well as the renowned department stores Harrods
Harrods
Harrods is an upmarket department store located in Brompton Road in Brompton, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London. The Harrods brand also applies to other enterprises undertaken by the Harrods group of companies including Harrods Bank, Harrods Estates, Harrods Aviation and Air...
and Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols, founded in 1813, is an upmarket department store chain. Its original store is in London. Founded in 1813 as a linen shop, it sells many international brands of clothing for women and men, fashion accessories, beauty products, wine and food...
.
The Spa
Located within Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental London was named by Condé Nast TravellerCondé Nast Traveller
Condé Nast Traveller is published by Condé Nast Publications Ltd, from Vogue House in Hanover Square, Mayfair, London. It is a luxury travel magazine aimed at the upmarket, independent traveller....
the best hotel spa in the United Kingdom and one of the top 25 spas worldwide. The renowned spa features a comprehensive list of signature and other treatments, as well as a sanarium, vitality pool, Amethyst Crystal Steam Room, Zen Colour Therapy Relaxation area, and a complete fitness centre.
Restaurants & Bars
The interiors of the restaurants and bar were created by the internationally renowned designer Adam TihanyAdam Tihany
Adam D. Tihany is an American interior designer and interior architect. He was named one of the greatest American interior architects by The New York Times in 2001 .-Career:...
.
- Mandarin Bar: a chic, contemporary bar serving cocktails and light, International fare
- Bar Boulud: French bistro and wine bar
- Dinner by Heston Blumenthal: Historic European food reinvented by Michelin-starred chef Heston Blumenthal, who also owns the Fat Duck
Awards
- Top 500 World’s Best Hotels (Travel + LeisureTravel + LeisureTravel + Leisure is a travel magazine based in New York City, New York. Published 12 times a year, it has 4.8 million readers, according to its corporate media kit. It is put out by American Express Publishing Corporation, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company led by...
US, 2009) - ‘Favourite Hotel Spa’ in the UK & 8th best spa in the world (Condé Nast TravellerCondé Nast TravellerCondé Nast Traveller is published by Condé Nast Publications Ltd, from Vogue House in Hanover Square, Mayfair, London. It is a luxury travel magazine aimed at the upmarket, independent traveller....
) - World’s Best Business Hotels (Travel + Leisure US, 2008)
- Top 50 Summer Restaurants (Daily Telegraph, 2008)
- Top 50 European Hotels (Travel + Leisure US, 2008)
- London's 10 Best Hotels (BA Highlife Magazine, 2008)
Hotel Trivia
- Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park was originally built in 1889 as an exclusive ‘Gentleman’s Club’ with lavishly furnished drawing and dining rooms, a billiardBilliard-Games:* A , a type of shot in cue sports * Billiards: cue sports in general, including pool, carom billiards, snooker, etc.; the term "billiards" by itself is also sometimes used to refer to any of the following more specifically:...
room, and a smoking room - After a great fire in 1899 destroyed much of the ‘Gentleman’s Club’, the building was completely renovated and re-opened in 1902 as the Hyde Park Hotel
- Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is the only hotel in London located on Hyde ParkHyde Park, LondonHyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, United Kingdom, and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner.The park is divided in two by the Serpentine...
, allowing guests views of the extensive royal parkland from both the hotel’s restaurants and many of its rooms and suites - A unique royal entrance in Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park’s loggia is reserved only for international royalty and those who gain permission from the Royal Household
See also
- Mandarin Oriental, Hong KongMandarin Oriental, Hong KongMandarin Oriental, Hong Kong is a five-star hotel, located on Connaught Road in Central, Hong Kong, owned and managed by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. The hotel opened its doors in 1963 as “The Mandarin”, and quickly drew recognition for its service and elegance...
- Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
- Mandarin Oriental, New YorkMandarin Oriental, New YorkMandarin Oriental, New York is a five-star hotel located in Manhattan's Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle, managed by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. A part of the multi-use Time Warner Center development, the hotel opened its doors in December 2003...
- Mandarin Oriental, MiamiMandarin Oriental, MiamiMandarin Oriental, Miami is a hotel located on Brickell Key in Miami, Florida, overlooking Biscayne Bay. The 326-room waterfront hotel opened in November 2000 and is managed by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. In addition to the 295 guestrooms and 31 suites, the hotel operates the restaurants Azul...