Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

I stayed for two nights over the weekend at the MO Hyde Park in Knightsbridge, and thought I'd give my thoughts.

I booked a suite, the rate for a Junior Suite was £395 plus tax and service. This compared very favourably with the best available rate elsewhere which was over £500 per night, room-only.

I arrived by taxi around 6pm on Friday. The bellman immediately opened the taxi door, welcomed me to the hotel and collected my bags. By the time I'd paid the driver, he had already written out my baggage claim.

The reception desk at the hotel is quite small, and both positions were occupied when I arrived. As soon as I arrived, another member of staff appeared and checked me.

The lobby is decorated with a lot of marble, with a number of oriental accents (such as the golden buddah figures, the use of jade colours and the flowers) - quite classy.

Check-in was quick, and I was then escorted to my room (on the 2nd floor, facing Knightsbridge - I believe the Hyde Park view rooms are significantly more expensive) by a guest services agent. Unfortunately, there was some problem with the room key, so the agent opened the room with her master key. After a brief tour of the room, and asking me whether I'd like a welcome tea or coffee, she returned to reception promising new keys straight away.

My bags arrived within a few minutes, followed by my tea (complimentary and served with biscuits), and then a new set of keys - along with an huge apology.

As usual, 'Junior Suite' is really a misnomer: these are simply larger-than-average rooms with a sitting area.

The fittings were of high quality. In particular, the seating area was spacious with two armchairs and a sofa; and there was plenty of hanging space for clothes.

The bathroom was quite long and thin, and decorated with dark green, white and black marble. The bath, toilet, bidet and twin sinks were all along one wall - the room was at least twice to three times as long as it was wide.

Jo Malone toiletries were supplied; shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and body lotion - in the signature Lime, Basil and Mandarin scent, and these seem to be replenished daily.

A note on housekeeping: I asked for and received a 4pm checkout - and I was pleased to see that my room was made up on the morning of my checkout. Complimentary shoe shine is available.

Breakfast was served in my suite. It included coffee, orange juice, a round of toast, croissants, danish pastries and muffins and the cooked selection containing; bacon, baked beans, sausage, mushrooms and two fluffy poached eggs). Certainly more than I could eat (although this may also be partially attributable to my somewhat fragile state after drinks in Soho until the early hours, and all of excellent quality.

I arrange to meet a friend in the Mandarin Bar at 7.30pm on Saturday night to have a drink before a few drinks in Soho, in the end, we didn't stay because the place was absolutely packed - it's clearly a very popular destination: I don't know WHEN they will reserve tables for hotel guests???

Service is attentive but not over the top.

Service was generally excellent (one minor slip: I called down to request some toothpaste - I'd forgotten mine - at 9am, and it didn't arrive until the afternoon), and the rooms and furnishings up to scratch.

Checkout was efficient but I had to carry my bags down to reception as the member of staff promises to escort them down didn't turn up after contacting reception twice.

I stayed here some 5 years ago and had problems with the service

I now live in London

- I think its important than anyone thinking of using this hotel should realize that there is a MASSIVE buiding site next door