….. but reflective of our Oriental heritage,” is what Amanda Hyndman said, General Manager of the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park and Area Vice President of Operations on their opening recently.
In such a competitive world it is important to remember the essence of what you are about and the Mandarin Oriental has done just that. Re-opening on 15th April following an extensive £100m renovation programme its focus is on kind service. The opening date should have been the previous June but sadly a fire broke out resulting in the need for the hotel to close to repair the damage. Amanda Hyndman who had been the General Manager for only 2 days quickly appreciated her biggest asset, her team of colleagues. She wanted to ensure they remained committed to the hotel, a challenge at a time when it is tough to retain good experienced staff when other hotels are desperately recruiting. She introduced a programme encouraging the team to gain work experience at sister hotels overseas and to complete charitable work at home. They wanted to repay the kindness that had been shown to them following the emergency they had faced.
This ethos of kindness is what Amanda Hyndman has instilled into the service offered at the hotel, she hopes to ‘kill the guests with kindness’ That is something sadly missing in our fast moving world. Having the right technology in place is essential but kindness is irreplaceable. Making people feel comfortable, respected, cared for and special is not something you find everywhere.
The hotel offers 141 spacious guestrooms and 40 luxurious suites, with views either over the tranquil Hyde Park, a quiet courtyard or fashionable Knightsbridge. Those dining can enjoy dinner by Heston Blumenthal, exploring the British gastronomic past or Bar Boulud, London, with authentic French bistro cuisine. Refreshing cocktails are served in the stylish contemporary interior of the Mandarin Bar. For business there are 5 versatile meeting rooms redesigned by interior designer Joyce Wang, all boasting natural daylight and accommodating up to 650 guests. The Loggia offers a unique Royal Entrance opening directly into Hyde Park. For some down time the hotel has a spa offering 13 treatment rooms, a wellbeing and fitness centre, Pilates PT Studio and a 17 metre indoor twin lane, stainless steel heated swimming pool. With such a combination of first class facilities and such kind and caring service success has to follow.
