Group Effort: Mandarin Oriental
May 1, 2005
Mandarin Oriental
The Mandarin Oriental’s signature hotels, located in
Hong Kong and Bangkok, are the models for the Asian design aesthetic
that
dominates the group’s many properties—from Hawaii to
Shanghai.
“The spaces we
build are distinctly
different from
the fast-paced
cities where our guests
normally reside,” says
Ingo Schweder, group spa
director at the Mandarin
Oriental.
“Our
design
schemes are rooted in 12
principal Asian design
components. The physical surroundings contribute
to a
state of
well-being.”
Among the dozen
principles is the
avoidance
of
sharp corners and
angles, which
can be
interpreted as aggressive.
Also
important to the design is the
inclusion
of natural light
and
indigenous plants that
connect the individual to
the
environment. A
fine
example of these
principles in action can
be found in New
York
City, where the 650-square foot VIP spa
suite
transports
guests to the
sumptuous atmosphere of an
Asian-themed
home, complete with fireplace,
bath and
dual
massage
beds. Despite the feelings of escape
from urban
life, large
windows
with
expansive views of Central Park remind you of
how
glorious the
city truly
is.\
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A treatment room in Hawaii; New
York’s
VIP spa suite. (Click image to enlarge)
All new Mandarin Oriental spas are conceived in-house by the development team based in Hong Kong, which adheres to a standardized design criteria for consistency. However, a different designer decorates each spa to avoid a homogeneous look. “When it comes to opening a new spa, I develop a program that states in black and white how the space will be used.” says Schweder. “This plan is then adapted to the cultural environment to decide what kind of treatments to provide. We aren’t into gimmicks like chocolate wraps and strawberry facials. Our spa menu is geared towards healing and prevention. Many of our spas are found in the Near East, so we take advantage of that healing philosophy.”
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New York’s VIP spa
vitality pool; a
hallway leading to treatment rooms at a
spa on
Bermuda’s
Elbow Beach. (Click image to enlarge)
Technicians go through a rigorous 12-week training program. “Pampering is the minimum,” says Schweder. “There are clear techniques identified which have an impact on your well-being, such as your meridian points and lymph node drainage; it goes beyond pampering to healing.”
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, 866.526.6567, www.mandarinoriental.com
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