Sandra‘s Closet

England is busy gearing up for King Charles’ coronation and if you were planning on taking a short trip to the royal nation, the first week of May would be the perfect time and I have a great suggestion what to do and where to stay.

In celebration of His Majesty King Charles III’s Coronation (6 May 2023), Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London has specially curated a series of bespoke experiences and events to mark this special moment in British history. Guests of the hotel are invited guests to enjoy and celebrate the occasion with its opulent accommodation suite experience ‘A Very Royal Occasion’ to rejoice this remarkable event.

A Very Royal Occasion is available from 1 May to 31 May 2023 with prices starting at £4,000 inc VAT and includes the following:
· A stay to remember in one of the hotel’s luxurious suites
· A regal welcome amenity fit for kings and queens
· ‘King’s Caviar’ breakfast with Oscietra caviar and Full English breakfast where guests may catch a glimpse of the Royal Horse Guards passing by or breakfast enjoyed in the privacy of their suite.
· Two-Michelin starred, 4-course ‘Royal Cooking’ lunch or dinner for two at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
· A specially curated Highgrove Hamper filled with a selection of exquisite tea and preserves
· A 50ml bottle of Laphroaig whisky – His Majesty’s favourite malt whisky
· Additional benefits available when becoming Fans of M.O.

The Royal Cooking Menu – 2* Michelin Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is marking the special occasion with a creative menu of reinvented dishes that were served at British Coronation banquets throughout the years including an additional dessert in celebration of His Majesty. The exclusive 4-course ‘Royal Cooking’ Menu includes: Coronation Chicken Tart; King James II (1685) – Veal Sweetbread; King George IV (1821) – Fillet of Beef Royale and King Henry V (1413) and King Henry V (1413) – Fflampayne. The Trifle; HM King Charles III (2023).
Priced at GBP155* per person, with an optional wine pairing at GBP125 per person, the ‘Royal Cooking’ menu is available from 1 May until 31 May 2023.

Time For Tea with Highgrove – Inspired by the best of British heritage and quintessential afternoon tea dishes served at the Royal table, The Rosebery is offering guests an unforgettable Coronation Afternoon Tea in partnership with Highgrove – the private residence of Their Majesties King Charles III and The Queen Consort.

Time For Tea with Highgrove is lovingly prepared by Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London’s talented pastry chefs and includes: The King’s Coronation Chicken, Clarence Court egg truffle sandwich, The King’s Cypher, freshly baked scones and plenty more. Carefully selected tea will also be offered including the estate’s organic English Breakfast and Earl Grey. Time For Tea is available until 14 May 2023.

A Royal Toast – As guests raise a glass to His Majesty King Charles III – The Aubrey and Mandarin Bar has created a special menu in partnership with Laphroaig. Three different whiskey cocktails will be available at both outlets from 1 May to 9 May 2023.

Your Royal Invitation – Guests of Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, as well as passers-by, are invited to enjoy:

The Coronation lollipop infused with flavours of vanilla and whisky decorated with the King’s cypher. Vanilla flavoured lollipops will be offered to children. These lollipops will be available outside the Ballroom entrance on 7 May 2023 from 5.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. – for all to enjoy on a complimentary basis.

The Coronation canapés will be offered to guests at The Rosebery and Mandarin Bar between the hours of 19.48 p.m. and 20.23 p.m. (marking the life of King Charles from his birth year to the year of his Coronation) over the Coronation weekend.

The façade of the hotel will be illuminated in a beautiful deep blue colour – the prime colour that has been chosen for His Majesty King Charles’s Coronation Emblem to mark this celebratory occasion.

Get to know His Majesty King Charles III – hotel guests will have the opportunity to embark on a journey with the aim to get to know the King better. A specially created map including the King’s favourite haunts all of which have been granted a Royal Warrant by His Majesty. Guests will be able to venture out on a self-guided tour to visit establishments including Lock & co, Berry Bros & Rudd, Floris, John Lobb, Ettinger, Gieves & Hawkes and plenty more. The map will be available from Concierge and be offered to guests booking ‘A Very Royal Occasion’.

The Royal Glow – guests are encouraged to visit The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London and enjoy the hotel’s signature treatment – ‘English Rose Massage’ – known for its beautiful rose scent and its calming, yet uplifting, effects on the body.

Royal Connections – Since 1902 Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London has had the honour of welcoming members of the Royal Family on multiple occasions, whether it was for charity events or prestigious banquets. To learn more, guests are encouraged to visit the ‘If Walls Could Talk’ exhibit permanently located at the hotel.

Enjoy this special moment in British history in style!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Mandarin Oriental
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Capitalising on its position in London’s most fashionable district, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London announces an exclusive partnership with French high end luxury Maison Chloé, as the S/S 2015 collections arrive in stores, commencing Thursday 12th February 2015.

In celebration of London Fashion Week, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is offering guests a special package in luxurious accommodation, with the opportunity to own the Drew ahead of London Fashion Week and experience a limited edition Chloé afternoon tea at The Rosebery with Chloé Fizz champagne cocktails.

Drew medium textured-leather shoulder bag

The Chloé Debuts package starts at GBP 1,722 and includes:
• One night’s accommodation for two in a Knightsbridge Turret Suite with sweeping views of the UK’s fashion capital
• À la carte breakfast for two people over looking Hyde Park
• Personalised service at Chloé on Sloane Street to receive Chloé’s ‘Drew’ bag
• Chloé Love Story perfume
• Chloé-inspired afternoon tea for two people in the enchanting tea room, The Rosebery

The Rosebery

For an aficionado experience in February 2015, guests visiting The Rosebery for a limited edition Chloé-inspired afternoon tea and a Chloé Fizz cocktail will be able to view a mannequin showcasing the fashion collection in the lobby of the hotel and two vetrines displaying the Drew bag in a variety of different colours and patterns.

Drew small python shoulder bag

The Drew bag is a delicate, modern saddlebag with round, sculpted lines, it features an elegant turn lock system, in perfect harmony with its knotted fob chain and horseshoe pivots. Available in three sizes, this cross–body style offers an effortless transition from daytime to evening, with crisp raw edging on sumptuous materials.

Terms and conditions
The package is valid from Thursday 12th February 2015 to Monday 9th March 2015. Reservations are subject to availability, inclusive of VAT at 20% and 5% discretionary service charge, subject to availability. Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel directly on +44 (0) 207 201 3773, or through the direct on-line reservations service, www.mandarinoriental.com/london.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Manadrin Oriental and Chloé

In case that you don’t want to miss the big event, you can enjoy the royal wedding at a royal location and book Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park’s wedding tour.

With special access and hosted tours by first-hand family members and associates of the royal family to Kensington Palace, Chartwell, Spencer House, Althorp and Westminster Abbey, all venues which members of the public have not had access to before, this promises to be the truly majestic stay. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park also boasts the only private Royal Entrance from Hyde Park.

This exclusive itinerary for the Royal Wedding Tour at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is as follows:

Tuesday 26 April

Check in to the hotel. Pre dinner drinks and a welcome dinner, before retiring to a deluxe room.

Wednesday 27 April

A tour of Chartwell, Sir Winston Churchill’s family home in Kent since 1924, with a special greeting from a member of the Churchill family and lunch at the nearby private family home.

That evening guests depart for Spencer House, the home of the Spencer Family, for drinks on the terrace overlooking Green Park followed by a private tour and dinner in The Great Room designed by James Athenian Stuart.

Thursday 28 April

The morning begins with a visit to The British Museum followed by lunch at The Wallace Collection with a special visit with the Director Dame Ros Saville.

Dinner will take place at the home of a member of the royal family, at their private London townhouse.

Friday 29 April

Visit the Institute of Contemporary Art with exclusive use of the venue and roof terrace overlooking The Mall. Guests will have unrestricted views of the royal wedding parade, nestled above the crowded streets and hustle below. Toast the happy couple with a glass of champagne before a sumptuous three course lunch served in the gallery.

After returning to the hotel, guests will then depart for Kensington Palace where the evening will begin with drinks in the sunken garden, followed by a tour by esteemed curator Nigel Arch and dinner in the newly restored Kings Gallery.

Saturday 30 April

Begin the day with a visit to the setting of the royal wedding, Westminster Abbey, with the Dean. This senior church in London is where great coronations, weddings and burials take place, and is an historic Royal Peculiar (a church whose jurisdiction falls directly under the monarch).

The afternoon allows time for a leisurely roam around London or perhaps a visit to The Spa at Mandarin Oriental to soothe aching muscles and unwind tired minds, followed by dinner at one of the hotel’s celebrated restaurants, Bar Boulud, London or Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

Sunday 01 May

The day starts with a trip to Northamptonshire for lunch at Althorp, the ancestral home of Diana Princess of Wales’ family since 1508.  A private visit and lunch will be hosted by a member of the Spencer family.

That evening, guests can enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel before departing on Monday morning in majestic triumph.

The Royal Wedding Tour package is priced from GBP 11,300 for one person and GBP 18,800 for two people sharing the same accommodation.  Valid between 26 April and 01 May only, inclusive of Full English Breakfast, exclusive of VAT at 20% and 5% discretionary service charge, subject to availability.  Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel directly on +44 (0) 207 201 3618, on email or through the direct on-line reservations service, www.mandarinoriental.com/london.

And if you cannot get enough to commemorate this momentous occasion or you are a little insane, I recommend this fancy product: A refrigerator is being unveiled in tribute to the century’s super wedding. GDHA, a distributor for GE appliances in the UK, has launched a 5’9” side-by-side fridge freezer emblazoned with one of the official engagement photographs of the couple.

This is your chance to keep the royal romance fresh! And it is not an April Fool’s joke!

LoL, Sandra