Simply Abu Dhabi VI

1 9 9 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I windows, we had to admit that it was beautiful. But it was when we took a look at the Royal Suite that we realised this was the one for us. If we could improve on our last stay at all, it would have to be by returning as royalty! The Mandarin Oriental’s Royal Suite is intended for those who want the height of opulence, comfort and style. It’s a chic city apartment, whose accommodation includes a master bedroom and bathroom, a separate living room, dining room and kitchen, and two adjoining additional bedrooms. And the three double bedrooms all have en-suite bathrooms. There’s a balcony too, and it really was amazing: there was enough space to entertain up to 40 guests! It had exceptional views across the stunning and historic Hyde Park. We had no problemunderstanding how the suite is often frequented by royalty, movie stars, and models as well as other celebrities: Madonna and Baroness Margaret Thatcher have both stayed here. A contemporary twist on an elegant heritage What’s more, a refurbishment to this suite has added a fresh, contemporary edge to its elegant Victorian heritage. This much was clear as soon as we entered the suite – which has been redesigned by the fabulous creative team at RPW Design. The vibrant green and yellow colour scheme was an echo of the natural beauty of the park. The ornate Maya Romanoff wallpaper was simply stunning, and we could have spent hours marvelling at the bespoke, double-tiered rock crystal chandelier in the dining room. There was a gorgeous marble fireplace in the master bedroom (the bed, of course, was a king size) and the dining room was really intelligently designed. If need be, it can be transformed into a boardroom, with cutting edge Bang & Olufsen sound and visual systems concealed behind antique mirror panels. With a total area of approximately 224 square metres (that’s 2411 square feet), we had as much space as we could ask for, and then some: the master bedroom, for example, had a capacious walk in wardrobe. But this suite isn’t just about size, it’s about quality. There was a female vanity area, framed by Lalique crystal lights. Nothing there was just functional: the master bathroom was fitted with a steam room and shower experience, which included ‘Thunder and Tropic Water’. The large bath in the centre of the room sat below a fibre optic chandelier to capture exquisitely the mood of falling water – and the bathroomwas equipped with luxury designer amenities by Ormonde Jayne. Although we had so much else to do in London, we found that we really wanted to spend as much time as possible here in the hotel too! The staff had not overlooked any detail in their quest to make our stay as fantastic as possible. Mineral water was provided with the turndown service, and we could begin each day by leafing through the complimentary newspaper. Individually controlled air conditioning and a same day laundry and valet service - with one hour pressing - were wonderfully convenient. And it goes without saying that there was 24-hour room service. In terms of eating and drinking, we didn’t want for anything. For example, after a great day shopping at Selfridges, we were thrilled but just a touch exhausted: what better way to refresh ourselves than at the complimentary soft drinks bar! This bar, with a delicious range of non- alcoholic drinks, is replenished daily. The brilliant Dinner by Heston Blumenthal restaurant is of course in the very same hotel, but that’s not all. Within the Royal Suite itself, there’s a private dining room for up to 8 guests, with a private full service kitchen, and a separate entrance for service staff. Eating here was an experience like no other. Everything provided You name it, everything has been provided for your entertainment: iPod docking stations, a Bang & Olufsen flat screen television (with complimentary on demand TV) and a DVD player with surround sound. In a place like this, it’s easy to slip into your own world (the world of royalty). But with high speed internet access, WiFi, and two telephone lines with speakerphone and voicemail, if you do need to stay in touch with what’s going on outside, then you have everything you need. We found the Mandarin Hotel the perfect base for our amazing visit to the UK’s exciting and historic capital city. It’s situated in the heart of one of London’s most luxurious areas, ideal for shopping, restaurants, and sightseeing. But what made our stay special was the personal thought which had gone into making our stay as sumptuous as possible. There was nothing that they had failed to consider. The stay did not just match our expectations: it exceeded them by far. It’s said that VIP visitors to London during the Olympics are planning to stay here. Based on our experience, it would be an excellent choice for them. We’re very grateful to Tony McHale, the General Manager of the hotel, for the incredible level of service showcased at the hotel during our stay. And we’re in no doubt that this continues 356 days a year, 24 hours a day. For more information about the portfolio of amazing Mandarin Oriental Hotels visit: http://www.mandarinoriental.com Find the Mandarin Oriental on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MandarinOriental

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