Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London re-opened its doors in May 2000 following a £57 million restoration.  The extensive work included: a renovation of the hotel’s 198 guestrooms and suites; the spectacular re-design of its restaurants and bar by internationally renowned designer Adam Tihany; new meeting rooms; and the creation of an exclusive spa, unique to London.

Over a century after it first opened, the hotel is still London’s premier address. A London landmark and a “royal” hotel, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has been the setting for extravagant debutante parties, lavish engagements, wedding and receptions.

The hotel has also enjoyed a reputation as a political meeting place for celebrated statesmen.  It is a place where princes and princesses, Maharajas and sultans, presidents and prime ministers have passed through to host high-level forums, receptions and society events.

Royal Guests
Members of the Royal Family have always been frequent guests of the hotel - Queen Mary was a regular visitor; the Prince of Wales - later Edward VII - came for society balls and most of his semi-official engagements; Princess Alexandra attended elegant dances; Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the late Princess Margaret first learned to dance here; Prince Philip held his polo and cocktail parties within the hotel as well as often bringing Princess Anne and Prince Charles to tea when they were children;  Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip were guests at Baroness Margaret Thatcher’s 80th birthday party held in the hotel’s grand ballroom; and more recently The Royal Family were in attendance at the  pre-wedding gala party in the iconic Ballroom on the eve of The Royal Wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.  

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 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 a dramatically picturesque skyline using red brick and Portland stone in an eclectic Franco-Flemish style.  Loggias 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, the lavish use of marbles and gilding were years ahead of the
best London hotels.  The hall, entered from Knightsbridge through swinging doors of carved
walnut, was lined with coloured marble and had a frescoed ceiling, as well as a marble chimneypiece 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
In 1899, a dramatic fire struck the property.  Watched by thousands, the fire damaged the top three floors of the Knightsbridge wing and destroyed 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 fire, and the necessary renovations, the building was reopened in 1902 as 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 eighteenth century style of Sheraton and Hepplewhite.
Between 1911 and 1912 the Ballroom was redecorated in a style reminiscent of Louis XVI.  In 1925, Mewes & Davis, who also remodelled some of the principle rooms in a traditional Louis XV style, built a Palm Court.

A Royal Entrance
As a private ‘Gentleman’s Club’ the entrance to this magnificent building was through The Loggia, but in 1902 when it re-opened 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, should be moved from the Park side to Knightsbridge and that the original entrance be preserved for Royal use alone, and has been opening for them regularly ever since.  These were first used during the coronation of George VI in 1937 when the Crown gave special permission for its guests to use the park entrance.

Today, guests can still take part in this grand tradition of the hotel by requesting permission from the Royal Parks to use the ‘Royal Entrance’ for special occasions.  Guests who have enjoyed access to this legendary entrance have included members of the Japanese Imperial family, former South African Premier General Hertzog and the President of Uganda, to name just a few.

Noteworthy Celebrations
Spectacular parties that hold a special place in the hotel’s history include Lady Vyer’s silver wedding party in 1948 - with the King and Queen as guests of honour - and the legendary Balaclava Ball, hosted by the five cavalry regiments who had taken part in the charge, attended by the Queen, Prince Philip and the late Queen Mother.  Other celebrations have included 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 where many of the top acts made Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park their home away from home.  The hotel was also proud to host the 80th birthday party of Baroness Thatcher which was attended by Prime Minister Tony Blair, Lord Archer, Shirley Bassey, Joan Collins and John Major among others. Most recently, the hotel was honoured to host the pre wedding gala party for The Royal Family the night before The Royal Wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, where the largest number of Royals to ever congregate in one place attended.

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 been voted ‘Best Leisure Hotel in the UK’ and ‘Best Business Hotel in the UK’ by Condé Nast Traveller readers and continues to maintain five AA Red Stars.  In addition, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental is continuously voted as a favourite UK Hotel Spa by Condé Nast Traveller readers.

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London – The Present
With 198 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites, many of which overlook royal parkland, each room has been individually furnished and decorated providing both comfort and elegance whilst offering the latest in technology.  This includes in-room voicemail facilities, wired and wireless high speed internet access, Bang & Olufsen flat screen televisions, DVD and CD players and iHome docking stations, complemented by Guest Services Managers providing the very best in personal service.

In its most exciting year since opening, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is now home to two exciting new restaurants including Bar Boulud, London and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, the first London restaurant for one of the UK’s most renowned chefs of the Fat Duck Group, bringing the experience of seven Michelin stars under one roof.

For the ultimate in urban escapism, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental is a place where the boundaries of East and West blend in harmony to create a haven of tranquillity. Drawing on exotic therapies and philosophies from around the world, a series of specially designed treatments are offered to rejuvenate the body and spirit. Spa guests are encouraged to take time in the Amethyst Crystal Steam Room, Sanarium, Vitality Pool and Zen Colour Therapy Relaxation area to ensure optimal relaxation.

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London is wholly owned by the Group (100%).