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“We wanted to make sure we are bringing something new and exciting to a
crowded market” David Nicholls, group director of food and beverage
nity around the hotel,” says Hatje. Beyond the lobby, the space opens onto a dramatic vista overlooking the main restaurant and bar on the lower ground floor. Guests descend, via a sweeping circular mar-
ABar Lounge
London is swiftly dismissed by Susanne Hatje, general manager of the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair. “The exact opposite is true,” she says. “The two hotels are very different and complement one another by connecting two anchor points – Knightsbridge and Mayfair – in what we regard as one of the most impor- tant cities in the world. The Hyde Park hotel is a much larger property within a historic building. Here in Mayfair we are offering a contemporary, boutique hotel with just 50 rooms. We are able to capture the Mandarin Oriental brand guest who wants to stay in this part of town. “Committing to a third hotel clearly shows
how much Mandarin Oriental believes in London as a destination.”
Beating average occupancy Despite Hatje’s optimism that the hotel will achieve an occupancy level of more than 70% by the end of the year, with room rates start- ing at £1,000, figures from data company CoStar highlight the challenges of the luxury hotel market in London. Occupancy levels dur- ing the 12-month period to April 2024 across luxury hotels in Marylebone and Mayfair stood at 66.7%, while average daily rate and revenue per available room for the same period declined by 0.9% to £521.59 and increased by 3.5% to £347.79 respectively. Hatje talks enthusiastically about the hotel’s
vibrant club-like yet intimate environment. Guests enter the hotel through its discreet
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entrance on Hanover Square, through a lobby boasting green Ming marble, where a unique version of Mandarin Oriental’s renowned symbol, the golden fan, created by the late fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood, who died in December 2022, is on display. “Each Mandarin Oriental hotel has its own distinctive fan, and we were extremely fortu- nate to partner with Vivienne two years ago as she was so rooted in the fashion commu-
ble staircase, to the hotel’s main food and bever- age outlets, where the natural elements of earth, wind, fire and water are reflected in sculptural elements throughout. Tokyo-based design agency Curiosity has created the look here and across the other public spaces of the hotel, with inspiration coming from what Hatje describes as the hotel’s location at “the crossroads of art, culture and fashion”, combined with accents of the groups’ Oriental heritage. Blonde wood, semi-transparent mesh and shades of bronze provide a calming, organic aura.
Akira’s Back Korean-born and US-based chef Akira Back is overseeing the hotel’s restaurants and bars except one – an Italian outlet, the details of which are yet to be confirmed ahead of its opening later this year. The main offer is the 148-seat, all-day
About Mandarin Oriental Mayfair
22 Hanover Square, London W1S 1JP 020 7123 6213
www.mandarinoriental.com
Owner Clivedale London Operator Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, owner and operator of 40 hotels and 12 residences in 26 countries and territories Architect RSHP (Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners) Interior design Curiosity (public spaces) and Studio Indigo (bedrooms and suites) Cost of development Not disclosed General manager Susanne Hatje Executive chef Jihun Kim Maxime Bedrooms 50 made up of 23 suites (including two signature suites), with 47 of the rooms interconnected Residences 77, all of which are now sold.
Ranging in size from studio apartments to a four-bedroom penthouse, the residences can benefit from the services of the hotel if the owners choose Food and beverage Korean-born and US- based chef Akira Back oversees four outlets: Akira Back (148-seat, Korean and Japanese- inspired all-day dining), Dosa (14-seat counter-style dining featuring cutting-edge Korean dishes), ABar Lounge (cocktail bar) and ABar Rooftop (cocktails and food). An Italian restaurant (not under Akira Back’s remit) is due to open later this year Leisure Spa with two treatment rooms and produces by Seed to Skin Tuscany, as well as a 25m pool and fitness centre Target occupancy 70%-plus by end of 2024 Room rates From £1,000 for deluxe room up to £9,000 for the Mayfair suite
July 2024 | The Caterer | 15
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