The Mandarin and the Doorman

Today I share with you a cloudy sky over The Mandarin Oriental London Hotel, situated in Knightsbridge, right opposite Harvey Nichols.

The Mandarin Oriental London Hotel against a moody sky

Owned and managed by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Housed in an historic, Edwardian-style building, the hotel originally opened its doors to the public as the Hyde Park Hotel in 1902. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group purchased the hotel in 1996 and conducted a complete renovation of the 198 rooms and suites, as well as a re-design of the restaurants and bar. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London re-opened in May 2000. Today, the hotel has received numerous awards for its facilities and service, including a Michelin star for its signature restaurant Foliage. 

The grand entrance and the unmistakable Doorman

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 lake 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.

I just love the smartly dressed Doormen - seen here right in the traffic soliciting cabs for guests

Considerable skill was deployed in the creation of the dramatic 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 of the time. 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 chimney-piece 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 Wikipedia article here.

This wonderful shot courtesy of Wikipedia

For a slide show of the hotel's opulence click here.

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