Tag Archives: Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas

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Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas is in a league of its own. Most of the other luxury accommodations on the strip are ostentatious and classless, preferring to concentrate on their in-house casinos and the business it brings in. Staying true to the brand, Mandarin Oriental is a conventional hotel, focusing on beautiful design, ultimate luxury and the highest level of service.

It was blissful to walk inside the sophisticated lobby of the Mandarin Oriental… the air scented with exotic flowers and all our luggage and car instantly taken care of. We zoomed up to the 23rd floor where the formal reception is found, after a swift check-in (complete with herbal tea and cold flannels) we found ourselves in room 1703 on the 17th floor of the hotel. Though the style and details are similar to other MO hotels, the floor to ceiling bedroom window offers a birds-eye view of the Strip, a constant reminder of the Vegas hysteria.

There are 392 rooms and suites at the hotel. Our King room was decorated in warm beiges and golden creams, fresh orange tulips arranged on the table, and striped cushions on the bed. The space felt spacious but cosy. The open plan bathroom had a freestanding bath (complete with bath salts), his and her marble sinks, a power rain shower and Shanghai Tang toiletries.
I woke up late after a replenishing sleep in the luxurious bed. Wanting to make the most of the facilities I made my way to the outdoor pool on the 8th floor. After a brief swim I went to try the complimentary yoga class with Amanda. The hotel offer two free yoga or pilates classes a day, the perfect way to unwind and relax. Yoga was both good exercise and a refreshing way to clear my mind after a busy few days. With a spa, sauna/steam rooms, gym and fitness centre, there is everything a guest could need after an extravagant night on the town.

Mandarin Oriental are proud to have the fine dining restaurant ‘Twist’ by three star chef Pierre Gagnaire in the hotel. If you are after a more casual meal Mozen Bistro caters for every occasion. Offering an eclectic mix of Asian-American dishes it is the perfect spot for breakfast or lunch. On Sundays between noon and 2.30pm a special Brunch is served, including the $39 Bento brunch, which includes a main course and a trio of Asian tastes. The bacon waffle, fried chicken, peach and bourbon bbq sauce was a particularly indulgent and creative dish. For a tasty oriental option try the Korean Bulgogi – marinated stir-fry beef, jasmine rice, bibb lettuce and house made Kimchi, it was flavoursome and healthy.

The Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas feels almost boutique in comparison to the other five star hotels in this crazy city. After visiting most of the establishments on the strip I can honestly say this is the place I would hope to stay in if I returned to Las Vegas.

More information and book a room at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas here.

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

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The Mandarin Oriental is without doubt the most recognised and renowned hotel in Bangkok.  An impressive 138 years old, this institution offers an oasis of Oriental cool and calm and all the luxuries you could ever desire.

Mandarin Oriental is the only property in Bangkok with facilities both sides of the Chao Phraya River. It was the first luxury hotel in south-east Asia. Originally titled just ‘Oriental,’ the hotel joined with the Mandarin company in 1974 and together they built the new River Wing. It was only in 2008 that the name changed to the Mandarin Oriental. It is still known to many locals and loyal visitors as just ‘The Oriental’.

The road is quite ordinary and typically Thai. It was a revelation to discover the hotel amongst street stalls and jewellery shops; most of the city’s five star establishments are found on main roads huddled together, but here in downtown Bangkok the vibrant flavour and culture of Thailand is more evident than ever. It is testament to the quality of the hotel that it has survived and thrived for so long in such a contrasting area.

Driving up the leafy driveway, I could feel my anticipation and excitement rise. My grandfather had already made me promise… “If there is one place you visit in Bangkok it must be The Oriental”. I’d heard stories of evenings spent in the glittering lobby and couldn’t wait to step inside and see it for myself.

Traditional and fragrant jasmine flower wreaths were placed, like Christmas tree baubles on our thumbs as we were welcomed into the breezy air conditioned foyer with a smile. It definitely has the wow factor, a magnificent deep purple beaded chandelier hangs heavy from the ceiling, lanterns hint at the history of the country, and full length windows offer natural light and a peek of the lush green gardens outside.

Upstairs our deluxe room continued to exceed all expectations. A heavenly soft bed to ease you to sleep, a giant bath to wash away the stress of the day and a wonderfully comforting chocolate brown silk robe to wear when you are feeling weary. From our twelfth floor room, the view over the river and city is spectacular, and I noticed a surge on my social media as I proudly posted the photograph I’d taken. The usual luxuries are all in place, exceptional amenities and features… but I was thrilled to discover the thoughtful little extras that the Mandarin Oriental provides for guests. I particularly noticed the specially made gold leaf embossed writing paper neatly arranged on the desk, personalised for each guest, the generous bottle of Thai bath oil and the lovely fan, left as a gift. On the desk we also found the hotel newsletter, appropriately named ‘The Oriental Times’ – designed to replicate a broadsheet, this offers interesting news and information about the hotel.

Food options are plentiful at The Mandarin Oriental; Le Normandie is famous for its French fine dining; The China House offers authentic Cantonese dishes in a contemporary style and Lord Jim’s enjoys a worldwide reputation for its seafood. For more relaxed dining, The Verandah is open all day, whilst Bamboo bar showcases live jazz and boasts an unbeatable cocktail list, for simple sundowner drinks and Italian tapas there is Ciao Bar. We skipped these tempting eateries in search of the finest Thai food on the river’s edge at Sala Rim Naam, sitting on the idyllic terrace where we could enjoy the warm, exotic breeze. Keen to try a selection of specialities we let the staff choose our meal… deep fried herbed crab meat and minced chicken salad was a highlight. For mains the sweet and spicy red curry with lychees and roasted duck was fragrant, flavoursome and creamy while Australian lamb chops with tamarind sauce featured the highest quality meat cooked to perfection. There are many exemplary Thai restaurants in Bangkok, but few which provide such a spectacular view from the table.

When it comes to relaxation and revitalisation, the Oriental Spa provides the ideal refuge. The spa is located across the Chao Phraya river, though easy to reach by the complimentary river shuttle provided by the hotel crossing every five minutes.  We experienced the Oriental Signature Treatment, an essential oil massage with Thai and European techniques. This 90 minute massage was our first spa experience in Thailand, and is still memorable even after numerous treatments in Asia. The staff went to extra trouble to ensure we were comfortable and relaxed every step of the treatment. Tailoring the treatment to suit me entirely, my therapist attended to stiff areas of my back, stimulating and soothing my body from head to toe. A hot ginger tea was refreshing, nourishing and hydrating at the end of the treatment. Beauty by Mandarin Oriental has recently opened, teaming up with QMS Medicosmetics, adding another experience to your must-try itinerary!

Next morning as we enjoyed our breakfast on the terrace, I marvelled at my surroundings. Mandarin Oriental Bangkok has history, elegance and style that is unrivalled in this city.

More information and book here: www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok/

La Bauhinia, Shangri-La Paris

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Shangri-La is a charismatic hotel brand. Since the Shard acquired the new London branch, many more Brits have become aware of this company’s power and esteem. During my last trip to Paris I was priviledged to visit Shangri-La Paris to dine at the Asian style restaurant in the hotel, La Bauhinia.

Wandering through this opulent palace, my feet squeaking on the polished floor, I felt relieved that at least I had my little Chanel bag on my shoulder, my most luxurious possession that increases my suitability for an establishment like this. La Bauhinia is one of three restaurants at the hotel, the other two are both Michelin-awarded offering Chinese and French cuisine. Located in the heart of the building, its name is inspired by the bauhinia flower and is a reminder of the hotel’s Asian heritage. A luxurious glass ‘cupola’ structure designed by renowned architect Maurice Gras dazzles at night with a grand chandelier illuminating the space.

Both French and Asian dishes are given equal importance on the menu, though I felt more swayed by the Thai dishes. First though, top notch pink champagne and crostini whet our appetites prior to the main meal. To start we shared a delectable plate of Mangalica ham with minced pear and spiced pear chutney. The salty but delicate meat contrasted with the aromatic sweet fruit. It was polished off in minutes.

For main course we decided to sample two classic Thai dishes: Shrimp Pad Thai and Lamb Green Curry. The Pad Thai consisted of sautéed rice noodles, shrimp, egg, bean sprouts, tamarind juice, daikon radish, white cabbage, peanuts, garlic and lime. Everything was perfectly cooked though I found it a little too sweet. Lamb shoulder stewed in a Thai green curry and coconut basmati rice was amazingly spicy and creamy, with tender chunks of meat and the lovely addition of fresh peas and cherry tomatoes that added pleasantly to the look and taste. The knowledgeable waiter brought complementing glasses of wine, we particularly enjoyed the French white Meursault Les Criots.

For dessert we shared the Orange in Many Ways, it was absolutely sensational, too pretty to eat. Orange segments, orange mousse, orange crumble, Grand Marnier ice cream made for a tangy and fruity sundae of deliciousness. It was the ideal palate cleansing sweet treat.

If you can’t afford a night’s stay in the stunning Shangri-La, a special meal at La Bauhinia is a great alternative: delicious food and wonderful surroundings in the heart of Paris.

More information about La Bauhinia here.

Thanks to the Paris Tourist Board, more information here.

parisinfo.com