The latest addition to London’s luxury hotel scene, the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair blends modern architecture with artistic flair to create a new beacon in one of the city’s most sought-after areas.
Dreamt up by the legendary Stirk Harbour + Partners, the brainchild of the late architectural guru Richard Rogers, the hotel flaunts a rare Vierendeel truss structure. This unique design not only gives the building a sleek exterior, but also opens up the interiors like a breath of fresh air. The facade, a striking combo of Britain’s longest continuous red brick stripes and glass, marries the traditional Georgian vibes with a contemporary and minimalist touch.
As you enter, you’re greeted by a reception area with sprawling light green marble walls, bringing the tranquillity of the outdoors inside, and creating a Zen-like haven. The tasteful use of wood, marble, intricate lattice screens, and a blend of brass and bronze materials, highlights the design’s knack for creating a rich sensory experience.
The hotel’s 50 guest rooms and suites, crafted by Studio Indigo in its first-ever hotel project, feature Murano glass light fixtures and sleek metal frames, creating spaces that ooze understated elegance. The walls are adorned with hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper depicting magnolia blossoms, with some elements popping out in three-dimensional embroidery. These floral designs are carefully arranged according to feng shui principles, tipping the hat to the hotel’s Eastern roots.
The public and dining spaces, brought to life by Tokyo-based design firm Curiosity, are tied together by the elemental themes of water, wind, earth, and fire. Picture this: a white satin ribbon installation, reminiscent of flowing water, wrapped around the bridge connecting the hotel rooms and private residences.
Culinary maestro Akira Back makes his London debut with a namesake restaurant, where dynamic suspended wooden strips channel the element of wind, perfectly complementing his inventive Japanese dishes such as the AB tuna pizza. An eye-catching green onyx spiral staircase leads diners into the restaurant, while an open sushi bar beneath a high ceiling and glass canopy serves up a garden-like dining experience.
The ABar Lounge, with its ceiling light installations and vibrant velvet sofas, is all about the element of fire. The tucked-away, 14-seat Korean restaurant Dosa, accessible through a silver-foiled corridor and futuristic metal ceiling, delivers a striking earth-themed contrast.
The hotel’s renowned spa features lighting that evokes fireflies against a night sky, with a 25-metre pool lined with mosaic tiles that transition from deep to light hues.
Despite its Eastern influences, more than 90% of the hotel’s furniture is handcrafted in the UK. This seamless blend of East and West is further showcased by bespoke elements such as the signature fan designed by Vivienne Westwood, unique willow installations by British artist Julia Clarke, and Charlie Whinney’s swirling restaurant installation crafted from English ash wood.
