Simply Abu Dhabi XXII

1 3 7 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I W ith bustling Knightsbridge on its doorstep and leafy Hyde Park at its rear, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is London’s most prestigious address. Blending sumptuous guestrooms with a world-leading spa, it is the definitive destination for a luxury escape. And with two award- winning restaurants including Bar Boulud, London and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, the first London restaurant for one of the UK’s most renowned chefs, MandarinOriental Hyde Park stands at the culinary centre of the capital. Long celebrated as one of London’s most luxurious hotels, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park re-opened its doors in May 2000 following a £57 million restoration. And now, more than a century after it first opened, the hotel is still London’s premier address. As a landmark and as a royal hotel, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has been where princes and princesses, maharajas and sultans, presidents and prime ministers have passed through to host high-level meetings, receptions and society events. 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. The palatial interior decoration with the lavish use of marbles and gilding were years ahead of the best London hotels. Then, 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 Hyde Park Hotel, 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. When it re-opened, tradition has it that the Queen 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 it has been opening for them regularly ever since. 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.