Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London

A stunning success another calming experience in the capital

- Hannah Brandler

BACKGROUND Mandarin Oriental opened its second London hotel in June 2024, joining the larger 181-room sister property in Hyde Park. A third hotel will open in the Bankside Yards development in 2028. It's the first new build in Mayfair in over a decade, designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSHP), with a combined entrance for the 50 rooms/suites and 77 residences.

WHERE IS IT? The hotel occupies a prime position on Hanover Square in Mayfair, surrounded by flagship luxury stores and art galleries on New Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street. Nearby tubes include Bond Street (Central, Jubilee and Elizabeth lines) and Oxford Circus (Central, Victoria and Bakerloo lines).

WHAT'S IT LIKE? In a word: calming. A soothing jade-green Ming marble wall denotes luxury and nods to the hotel's Asian heritage and the greenery of Hanover Square.

Each MO property designs its own fan, with the Mayfair hotel collaborating with the house of Vivienne Westwood for the artistic accessory. The fan is on display behind glass by the entrance, and riffs on its design throughout the hotel included a chocolate version in my suite. Check-in takes place in an exclusive space where you're treated to sparkling kombucha.