Mandarin Oriental's recent news has already been strong, with the announced acquisition of two legendary hotels in Egypt, the Old Cataract in Aswan and the Winter Palace in Luxor, and the opening of a resort in Mallorca next June. This is now enhanced by significant renovations. While the Asian luxury group took over the management of the Lutetia in Paris last year, its original Parisian address, on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, is set to undergo a rejuvenation.
This transformation programme, which is due to start at the end of October, but without closing the hotel, will involve all the rooms and suites as well as the communal areas, reinvented by the London architect Tara Bernerd, while the architectural studio Humbert & Poyet will focus on the dining areas. The hotel's evolution also concerns its restaurant offering, with the introduction of three new concepts: a new bar, a Parisian-style brasserie and a gourmet restaurant.
" This announcement reflects our ongoing commitment to shaping the future of Mandarin Oriental, Paris as one of the city's most unique destinations. ", said Laurent Kleitman, the CEO of Mandarin Oriental. While waiting for this new impetus, the Hong Kong-based group is also giving new momentum to one of its two establishments in its home city: the Mandarin Oriental The Landmark, Hong Kong.
As part of the Tomorrow's CENTRAL refurbishment, a billion-dollar project to give a new contemporary look to this emblematic crossroads of Hong Kong luxury, the hotel is in the process of redecorating all its 109 rooms and suites, redesigned by Joyce Wang in keeping with the spirit of the communal spaces. At the same time, the hotel is getting a new entrance on Queen's Road Central, inspired by Hong Kong's historic residences and the city's energy.
Star chefs the world over
What remains unchanged, however, is the culinary excellence of the establishment, which, under the direction of Richard Ekkebus, Culinary Director and three-Michelin-starred chef of the signature restaurant Amber, has established itself over two decades as one of Asia's premier gastronomic destinations. In parallel, the complex also boasts another three-starred establishment, Sushi Shikon, and a one-Michelin-starred restaurant, Kappo Rin, in addition to the contemporary French bistro, SOMM. Among the new additions accompanying the Blanc de noirs champagne bar and Commune is an artisan coffee workshop located at the heart of the lobby.
In addition to well-being – the spas of these two Mandarin Oriental hotels in Hong Kong and Paris will also be reimagined – gastronomy is one of the luxury group's key assets. This is evidenced by the opening in mid-March of a restaurant overseen by Yotam Ottolenghi at the Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium, Amsterdam, an establishment that joined the hotelier's portfolio at the same time as the Lutetia.
The future Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra, Mallorca, also bears witness to this, with chefs Nobu Matsuhisa and Dani García working on signature restaurants ranging from Nikkei cuisine to contemporary steakhouses, as well as Mexican and Mediterranean dishes, from tapas to Levantine specialities.
Located in Calvià, on the island of Mallorca, this resort, which opens on 1 June, revamps a former H10 hotel into a luxury establishment with 131 rooms and suites, enhanced by 360° sea views, fragrant gardens and exclusive access to two unspoilt coves. " Perched on the emblematic Punta Negra, one of Mallorca's most prestigious coastal locations, Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra is inspired by the timeless soul of the island. "explains Duarte Correia, General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra, Mallorca.
Following this opening, the group, which currently operates 45 hotels but also has over 30 hotel and branded residence projects in the pipeline, expects further luxury hotels in the course of the year, in Manila and Cortina d’Ampezzo. In the meantime, an address in Rome is planned for next year, in a complex of ten historic villas transformed into an urban retreat with 108 exclusive rooms and suites.
