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The Next Gordon Ramsay? Daniel Boulud Is Coming to London
Hey Daniel Boulud, have you never heard of Gordon Ramsay? Or of over-reaching yourself? Not content with dominating most of North America, he’s going to be crossing over the pond and gracing London with his presence in the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.
Bar Boulud London will basically be a rip-off take on his New York Bar Boulud, and promises to “bring into play French techniques applied to the finest ingredients.” So pâtés, terrines, cheese and charcuterie with lots of wine. Yum.
The decor sounds interesting – there’s a wine theme, so vaulted ceilings and lots of wood and cork – and Boulud promises to combine ”New York’s energy and spirit, French soul and tradition, and a touch of London style.” Just a touch? Whatever.
BBL will open Spring 2010 and will seat 165. See you at the bar.
[Photo: NY Mag]
Tags: Hotel High Tea / London Hotels / Mandarin Oriental Hotels / Hotel Scents / → All Tags
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Tickles Your Olfactories With Jo Malone Tea
When temperatures finally drop and tourist head into London's Hyde Park water bottle-free, where is the best place to cuddle up with a cup of tea and revel in the sweet end of summer? If you say the window seat of your hotel suite, you'd be correct, but we'd also accept the answer of the Jo Malone Teatime at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.
Available only in September in both their Park Restaurant and Park Terrace (pictured above), the Jo Malone tea celebrates the release of the Vanilla and Anise Cologne from the famous and very chic perfumery. The menu inspired by the frangrance has got us salivating like we never expected something perfume-related would; expect "Honey and Vanilla Glazed Madeleines, Clementine and Vanilla Fairy Cakes, Black Fig with Wildflower Honey and Mascarpone Mousse and Wild Fennel Scented Apple Tartelettes."
Tags: Mandarin Oriental Hotels / London Hotels / Hotel Packages / → All Tags
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Offers 'Best of the British' But Look at Those Rooms
Of course, Posh Spice or Robert Pattinson could have told you this already, but apparently it’s fash to be British right now. Or at least, that’s what Mandarin Oriental are hoping, as they’ve just launched the suitably jingoistically titled Best of British package for their London property on Hyde Park.
And they’re thinking big – they’re inviting you to “join the ranks of luminaries and politicians past and present to experience London’s finest in style.” For those of us unsure what that means (the luminaries being the Queen, who took dance lessons there, to Maggie Thatcher, who ripped it up for her 80th there), the package includes a full English breakfast, lunch (if you can fit it in) at Michelin-starred Foliage, Harrods gift certificates (up to £50, depending on your room category) and free entry to private members club and casino Aspinalls in Mayfair.
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G20 Taking Care of Business at London's Mandarin Oriental
April's Fools Day may be long over, but memories of the dinner that "Naked Chef" Jamie Oliver cooked for the G20 leaders in London that night will remain forever...or at least until it's all digested. After a filling meal that focused on fresh and "British" ingredients, Nicholas Sarkozy and posse headed back to his hotel, the Mandarin Oriental, for a little after dinner mint and negotiations regarding that lovely little tax haven of Macau.
When not holed up in meetings with other G20 leaders, what do you suppose Sarkozy did with his time spent in the grand environs of the Mandarin? We like to think that he balanced all the wine-drinking and rich meals out by hitting the gym a couple times, but how could a stressed world leader resist the charms of the hotel's "Zen Color Therapy Relaxation" room or its "Amethyst Crystal Steam Room?" If we had to sit in tense meetings all day, with the fate of parts of the world on our shoulders, then you can be sure we'd spring for a "Ama Releasing Abhyanga" treatment to balance our chakras.
Want to play president and treat yourself to a night where Sarkozy slept and dreamt of gambling in Macau? Be prepared to fork over more than 3,990 GBP ($5,891) for a Deluxe Suite this month, or 255 GBP ($376.50) for a regular room—perfect for any Nicholas and Carla Bruni fantasies you have going.
[Mandarin Hotel photo via Mandarin Hotels; G20 Summit photo via The Guardian]
Tags: London Hotel Reviews / Mandarin Oriental Hotels / → All Tags
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park: What You Get For Your Money
Earlier this week, we scoped out some "cheap" rates for the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel in London. Although a rate of $477 was the cheapest we could find, that's still a deal for a Mandarin Oriental (ie. MO NYC has a $900+ rate.)
So what's this Mandarin Oriental like and is it worth our American dollars?
For starters, let's talk location. The hotel backs onto Hyde Park, but it's also across the road from Harvey Nichols department store and is just minutes from Harrods and surrounding Knightsbridge designer stores.
What's more, you're within a stone's throw of Buckingham Palace as well, and can witness the procession of the Household Cavalry from the comfort of your very balcony. (But we bet a room with a balcony and this view costs extra.)
Tags: Mandarin Oriental Hotels / Luxury Hotels / Mary McCartney / Hotel Packages / Hotel News / → All Tags
Mary McCartney to Photograph Select Mandarin Oriental Guests
A HotelChatter Exclusive
The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London has just announced a pretty spectacular luxury package for their guests. The Mary McCartney Portrait Experience gives two guests the chance to be photographed by Mary McCartney (above, and yes, daughter of Paul) in a private photo shoot.
McCartney's professional portrait work has included commissions of famous people like Jude Law and Ralph Fiennes and even Tony and Cherie Blair. McCartney was also appointed the official photographer for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group's `I'm a Fan' brand campaign which shot "celebrity ambassadors" like Liam Neeson and Darcey Bussell in their favorite locations.
Of course, there's a high price to pay for some high-end work. Based on double-occupancy, the package starts at GBP 20,000 and is limited to only TEN guests. So if this is something you really want, call the hotel now to book. And we mean now. The number to dial is +44 (0) 207 235 2000.
The package also includes other perks such as two hours of beauty prep at the spa before the photo shoot, a chauffeur-driven Mercedes and private access to the hotel through the Royal Entrance. Can you say "Absolutely Fabulous?"
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Bed Bugs Stick It To Celeb Lawyer at Mandarin Oriental
When you thought only crappy roadside motels and budget inns were prone to bed bugs comes this report that a Manhattan couple visting the Mandarin Oriental in London was allegedly attacked by bed bugs during their recent stay.
Sidney Bluming, a prominent New York celebrity lawyer, and his wife, Cynthia, are suing the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, owner of the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, after staying at the fashionable London hotel last May. According to the lawsuit, which is seeking several million dollars in damages, the Blumings were bitten hundreds of times during their five-night stay leaving their skin red, swollen and itchy. A spokesman for Mr Bluming, whose clients include Elizabeth Taylor and Claudia Schiffer, said: "People associate bed bugs with more of a lower-end class of hotel. Clearly that's not the case here; the Mandarin is as premier and luxurious as any hotel could make themselves out to be.""
A hotel spokesperson confirmed that there was an isolated infestation incident in one of the Mandarin's nearly $1,000 rooms but that there have been no more reports since.
Unfortunately, that is of little condolence to the Bluming's who found bed bugs nested in their luggage and clothes even when they returned to New York. Their apartment had to be fumigated and several personal effects thrown away.
We can't help but wonder--is this the newest bed bug trend? Luxury hotel infestations?
Related Stories:
· Exclusive London hotel sued over bedbug attack [Times UK]
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