Mandarin Oriental London

The Mandarin Oriental is one of London's most prominent hotels. It is the epitome of luxury and elegance and has long been a favorite of royalty. Tradition has it that the Queen would not allow any form of advertising within Hyde Park, it was insisted that the hotel's entrance, with the name above, should be moved from the Hyde Park side to Knightsbridge side. The Queen consequently mandated that the original entrance be preserved for Royal use, unless permission is otherwise granted by the Royal Household, this is still upheld today.

A showcase for Edwardian architecture, this is a handsome hotel and from the moment you step foot in the marbled foyer you know that you have arrived somewhere special. The hotel's 169 rooms are stylishly finished blending traditional English style with modern comforts. To ensure the perfect night's sleep they offer you a pillow menu from which to choice your filling of choice. Bathrooms are spacious offering generous sized bath tubs and rain showers. If you are looking for pure indulgence the Presidential Suite comes with its own butler and private terrace with views over Hyde Park.

If you begin to feel peckish you are spoiled for choice, the hotel offers three fantastic restaurants. The hotel's signature restaurant 'Dinner' has world famous chef Heston Blumenthal at the helm and will not disappoint, the restaurant is a leader in London's gastronomic scene and booking ahead is a must! If you prefer something a little more relaxed then the bistro style Bar Boulud offers French style food and has a fantastic cocktail bar. Upholding English tradition the Rosebery serves afternoon tea and champagne, perfect after a day in the hustle and bustle of the city.

A fantastic new addition to the hotel is an indoor pool, a rarity in London hotels. Next to this is the hotel spa which is the perfect retreat and certainly worth a visit.

At The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park you can enjoy lovely views of Knightsbridge, peaceful courtyards and even Hyde Park itself. All of the 169 rooms have marble bathrooms and there are 25 individually decorated suites which offer outstanding luxury. Each room also provides quick, excellent wifi as well as bandwidth internet connections and high definition LCD televisions with digital content on demand.

The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is a great luxury hotel for the whole family and they aim to make the entire family as comfortable as possible. If you are traveling with young children it is a good idea to inform the hotel in advance to arrange babysitting services. The hotel also have connecting rooms, cots, fold-out beds, mini bathrobes and even little ducks for the bath.

The Mandarin Oriental boasts two phenomenal restaurants as well as an exquisite bar. So whether you fancy a menu designed by world renowned chef, Heston Blumenthal, with strong 15th and 16th century influences or Michelin Starred, Bar Boulud, which craft more rustic, French inspired cuisine, The Mandarin Oriental caters for all.

It is very difficult to predict the weather in the United Kingdom - in the summer from May to late September is generally seen as the most pleasant time to visit. Rainfall is difficult to predict - but the UK does not receive as much as many are led to believe! In the winters, temperatures do fall, but there is nothing better than finding a remote pub with a roaring fire to sit beside after a long walk in the country.