Review / Michelin dim sum and hairdryer drama: We review the Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing
Boutique facility on pedestrianised Wangfujing Street offers glimpses of old Beijing life to tourists wanting more than chain stores and bars
With the parade of international stars that the Mandarin Oriental has used for its “I’m a fan” campaigns, it’s easy to forget that the luxury hotel group’s roots are firmly entrenched in Hong Kong.
Consistent service quality and luxurious accommodation have made the brand a top player on the international hospitality scene and the group seems to be ramping up its presence with a slew of new openings in the next few years.
Consistent service quality and luxurious accommodation have made the brand a top player in the international hospitality scene
The latest to throw open its doors is the Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, the Mandarin’s first property in Beijing. With only 73 rooms and suites occupying the top two floors of the surprisingly subdued WF Central mall, MO Wangfujing is more of a boutique hotel, unlike other bigger offerings in its portfolio.
You probably couldn’t wish for a more central location than the pedestrianised Wangfujing Street, where life hustles by at high speed. This is a more traditional centre of Beijing, with its proximity to the Palace Museum (the new name for the Forbidden Palace), Tiananmen Square and the iconic Beijing Department Store.
While it may not have the hip factor of new, fashionable areas such as Sanlitun, Wangfujing offers interesting glimpses of old Beijing life to tourists looking for more than chain stores and bars.
My car sweeps up to the front door of the hotel on a sunny day, with skies so blue that it is difficult to believe I am in Beijing. I am welcomed by the comforting red and golden hues, and the familiar fan logo of the hotel.
The design
The clean metallic lines of the lobby take me away from the history of the area to the world of contemporary comfort. The understatement of the welcome area contrasts with the playful central lamp of two red-pink-peach fishes chasing each other. Made of hundreds of pieces of Formica and lit by LEDs, the lamps were designed for the hotel by renowned architect Frank Gehry.
The suite
The rooms and suites are the work of international hospitality specialists Hirsch Bedner & Associates. My living room suite on the upper floor is a bright space with natural light flooding in from the large windows. There’s an awkward space between the door and the large living area which accommodates a huge television, a large sofa and armchair, and a small dining table.
I am greeted by a delightful array of confectionery and fruits, and a large chocolate pagoda. There’s champagne on ice and a bottle of pear and white fungus sweet soup, perfect for the dry Beijing weather. Full disclosure: I am a guest of the hotel so I expect some of these are extras thrown in by my host as a special welcome.
