BOSTON, MA -- Taking cues from the days of the Silk Trade, when ships regularly plied the ocean between Boston and the Orient, award-winning designer Frank Nicholson elegantly fuses the grace and refinement of ancient Asian design with the modern sensibilities of cosmopolitan Boston in the interior design for Mandarin Oriental, Boston.

Mr. Nicholson has been creating design experiences internationally for more than 25 years.  As the principal of Frank Nicholson Incorporated of Concord, Massachusetts, Mr. Nicholson prides himself on retaining the finest highly-specialized designers and architects to work exclusively in luxury hotel development. Mandarin Oriental, Boston was carefully designed to provide a unique, individual character that reflects the Asian heritage of Mandarin Oriental and the New England tradition of its location. 
 
The Style of Mandarin Oriental, Boston
In its design, each new Mandarin Oriental hotel aims to infuse nuances of Asia with the essence of the city in which it resides. The design model for Mandarin Oriental, Boston is to combine subtle Asian elements, with a sense of place reflecting the ambiance and identity of Boston. The building’s heavy stone limestone and marble façade is designed with an architectural theme reminiscent of Boston’s distinctive brownstones.  Inside the hotel, exotic blonde wood paneling reflects Boston’s historic style, complemented by a modern motif of rich textures and fabrics that evoke the elegance of the Orient.

Guest Rooms and Suites
A residential, comfortable feel is key to the design of the guestrooms. Using elegant materials in a contemporary Asian design, each room offers seating for two guests, custom made furnishings including a club chair, full-size sofa, and writing desk. Rest is essential to those seeking an urban resort in Boston. Each room is outfitted with opulent features and luxurious silks in warm, buttery colors or cool jade green tones. All guestrooms feature Ploh duvets and pillows, luxurious 400-thread Frette linens, and a 42” high definition flat screen TV. Each four-fixture bathroom features a soaking tub, rain shower head, water closet, and marble sink. Luxurious Frette bathrobes, Aromatherapy Associates bath products and a large vanity area complete this peaceful space. The overall atmosphere of the guestrooms has been personalized for the hotel, weaving classic Bostonian elements with a touch of Asian elegance.

Asana
Two striking features of the Forbes Four-Star rated signature restaurant Asana are a limestone wall with a distinctive hand-carved texture and warm, rich bamboo flooring designed to give the room a standout presence. The tabletops are set with custom granite in ebony and Inca gold colors. A distinctive, specially designed table seating eight guests with a rift-cut ebonized white oak base and a custom etched mirror table top is illuminated from underneath to create a distinctive and unique dining experience, featuring a seasonal menu of authentic and pure New England cuisine.

M Bar & Lounge
In M Bar & Lounge, the horse-shoe shaped custom cut stone flooring in a Hassan Green reflect the curve of the glass-topped, illuminated bar. The curved compression in the shape of the bar creates an exclusive energy. The décor is art-deco inspired, with fans and other distinctive shapes. Lights located in the stone floor guide the guest from the entrance to the bar space. Custom “tamarin” wood blocks create a large panel displayed on the bar walls. The bar countertop, also Hassan Green, alternates with sections of glass illuminated from behind. Both the restaurant and bar will offer engaging views of Boylston Street, creating a vibrant ambiance. 

Events and Meeting Spaces
To create a unique ballroom with spectacular views of Boylston Street and plenty of natural light, the architects reorganized the arrangement of the five function rooms, paying special attention to the 4,200-square-foot Oriental Ballroom. A beautiful grand staircase with custom-etched glass leads guests from the lobby to the function level. The walls of the Oriental Ballroom are paneled in stunning satin wood: a tropical blonde hardwood known for its beautiful grain, sheen, and luster. Frank Nicholson chose unique silks for the wall inset paneling to complement the space and create a rich environment, reflective of the hotel’s Asian heritage. A memorable Italian-inspired fan chandelier and crystal sconces on the ballroom walls create a dynamic atmosphere, complete with eclectic European tile. Chocolate brown Aborigine carpeting, contemporary window treatments of luxurious buttery silks, and gold seating with chocolate brown trim complete the elegant setting in this luxurious ballroom.

In addition, all function rooms come equipped with high-speed wireless and wired Internet access, up-to-the-minute audiovisual systems and computerized temperature controls allowing meeting and event planners to make simple adjustments.  Due to the hotel’s connection to the Newbury Arcade, large scale décor, scenic pieces and props can be showcased in all function rooms.  To promote communication, planners can program personalized messages and images on flat panel screens outside each function room.  In addition, a targeted beam of light called ‘pin spotting’ highlights the center of the function table, allowing centerpieces to really stand out and be very dramatic. LED lighting, a fairly new lighting technology, has also been incorporated.   The lighting allows for multiple color choices and is primarily used to provide a colored glow or color wash in a space.

The Artwork at Mandarin Oriental, Boston
Frank Nicholson selected and commissioned a spectacular collection of artwork, contemporary paintings, and sculpture featuring the work of internationally recognized artists, Boston artists and Asian craftsman that sets Mandarin Oriental, Boston apart as a special social rendezvous.  For the restaurant the artwork reflects the Asian cultural tradition of emphasizing strong tactile textural contrast of materials in a combination of specially commissioned ancient stone sculpture, huge natural wood contemporary wall sculpture and modern paintings.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Boston
The Five-Star awarded Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Boston is the most Asian-inspired element of the hotel, therefore requiring the most Asian-inspired décor. The signature expression of the Spa experience is a journey that reflects our Asian heritage while balancing Western techniques. Zen-inspired features such as bamboo flooring, warm woods, stone, and water fixtures all facilitate the journey of wellness.