Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has enlisted the talent of leading hospitality experts with years of experience to oversee the launch and operation of Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London scheduled to open in Spring 2024. Sitting on historic Hanover Square, in the heart of London’s most stylish neighbourhoods, Mandarin Oriental Mayfair is a sleek, design-led, and intimate property comprising of 50 guestrooms and 77 private residences. It will house the first namesake Akira Back restaurant in the UK from Michelin Star Chef Akira Back, as well as his ‘ABar Lounge’ concept and ‘ABar’ rooftop bar. There will also be an innovative urban spa, focussed on renewal and recalibration.
Led by Susanne Hatje as the General Manager, Ms. Hatje joins direct from her position as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, New York, the Group’s flagship property in The Americas. A Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group veteran, she brings with her more than 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, including 18 years of senior management roles within Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.
Ms Hatje was at the helm of the award-winning Mandarin Oriental, New York for nine years. Prior to that, she served as the global Group Director of Residences, managing all aspects of the Group’s portfolio of branded Residences at Mandarin Oriental. Her experience of launching key Mandarin Oriental hotels includes the opening of the iconic Mandarin Oriental, Boston in 2008 as well as The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong which has been winning significant awards since its opening in 2005. Ms Hatje also served as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Munich, overseeing the re-branding from Rafael hotels, as well as Resort Manager at the Group’s previous hotel, The Kahala Mandarin Oriental, Hawaii.
Key team appointments include:
Peter Wharmby, Head Concierge – Peter joins Mandarin Oriental Mayfair from Four Seasons Hotel Dubai where he became a member of Les Clefs d’Or. Prior to this, he has worked at various properties within the Four Seasons Hotel Group for nearly 20 years. Heading up the concierge team, Peter is looking forward to sharing the hotel’s hand-selected signature Mayfair experiences with guests.
Michelle Matthews, Assistant Director of Spa – Michelle has been with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group for the five past years, where prior to this she worked at The Corinthia and Bulgari Hotel in London. A results-focused Spa Manager, Michelle has helped shape the spa concept which has been meticulously crafted with the Mayfair community as the central focus. Being in the heart of Mayfair, Michelle and her team are excited to share the results driven and bio-hacking treatments such as the Tranquillity of Mayfair – a synchronised four handed massage which compels the brain to power down and unwind. A first for London – guests will then be guided into a profound slumber via a binaural beat programme featuring Delta waves to completely relax the mind.
Jamie Dumas, Director of F&B – With over 20 years of experience in the food and beverage industry and having most recently worked at Akira Back outposts in Las Vegas, Jamie now joins the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair family to orchestrate and lead the F&B concepts at the hotel working closely with Akira Back and his team. As well as recruitment and working with property ownership, operators and culinary partners to ensure a successful launch – Jamie will be curating speciality cocktail, wine and sake programmes, designing elements such as glassware and menus and hand selecting live DJ acts and devising meticulously engineered playlists among the four venues.
Jihun Kim Maxime, Executive Chef – Originally from Korea, Jihun has worked at numerous globally acclaimed hotels across the world from San Francisco to Dubai and Melbourne. Working closely with Chef Akira Back, Jihun is excited to welcome diners into a space where the menu has been thoughtfully designed to deliver a consistent experience and at Dosa, the intimate counter-style restaurant, culinary theatre will be served with contemporary Korean dishes expertly created using seasonal ingredients and cutting-edge techniques such as fermentation and aging.
Jacky Yu, Head Sushi Chef – Jacky mastered the art of sushi under Yoshi Muranaka, Zuma’s group executive chef and she completed a qualification in Le Cordon Bleu French cuisine before working with Japanese cuisine. Describing her style as delicate in flavour, and using seasonal local products, Jackie’s signature dish is Sakura Leaf Cured John Dory and key ingredients include; Daikon, Miso and Seaweed.
Andres Ituarte, Head Sommelier – Originally from Canada and with over 20 years’ experience in the wine and hospitality world Mandarin Oriental Mayfair will be Andres’ first position in a hotel. Recently ranked in the top 20 of the 100 best Sommeliers in the UK in the 2023 Sommelier Edit, he has also just finished his Sake level 3 with WSET. He has devised the wine list to complement the hotel, which will be small and seasonal fitting with the contemporary boutique property.
Paolo Silverstri, Bar Director – Paolo became enamoured with bartending by watching the bar men work in his hometown on the Amalfi Coast. After spending his free time learning the classic concoctions and mixology methods, he began his career working in Dubai for the Ritz-Carlton followed by Four Seasons. The overall concept for the bars will be a tour through the cultural beverage traditions and culinary facts of Asia. Each drink was thoughtfully crafted using ingredients and flavours utilised by Chef Akira Back in his dishes, to pair with or enhance his creations.
Camille Lemmery, Restaurant Director for Akira Back – Hailing from France, Camille was raised in a family where food holds more significance than just eating. Being a keen rugby player, she sought an industry that would align with her team-oriented mentality. Thus, she embarked on a journey in the restaurant industry in Toulouse. Having had the opportunity to collaborate with esteemed Michelin-starred chefs worldwide, including her own father, she felt the time had come to establish herself within an organisation such as Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.
