Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, London in flames this evening…
Having just recently completed a multi-million pound refurbishment, the Mandarin Oriental London is currently on fire.
The restoration, led by designer Joyce Wang, was said to be the most extensive in the hotel’s 115-year history with the redesign of all 181 guest rooms and suites.
The grand unveiling was due to begin with a launch party in the new spa area next week. New York designer Adam D. Tihany has re-designed each of 13 treatment rooms, including an Oriental Suite with two massage beds and a Rasul water temple, plus a room specially designed for traditional Chinese Medicine consultations and treatments.
The hotel also houses two world famous restaurants: Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Bar Boulud, both had also undergone a complete redesign by Tihany.
At time of writing, 20 fire engines and 120 firefighters and officers are reported to have rushed to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in William Street, Knightsbridge. Pictures and videos posted on Twitter show large plumes of thick black smoke billowing from the hotel.