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.

The key issue is a major issue in the hotel. 9 times out of 10 the keys do not work. If you are not a frequent guest, they try to fool you by telling you that you must have it in your wallet and somehow your credit cards have deactivated the key. The fact of the matter is that every staff member from the bellboy to the German General Manager are aware of the problem and they are doing nothing to correct. They are waiting for the condo property next door to be completed in the next two years before starting a major renovation of the Mandarin Hotel. The management believes the key problem is one that guests can live with expecially since they are getting away with it with lies. Forget about getting a room on the first three floors on a weekend night. The noise is unbearable. Ask to be moved. Room internet is spotty and as another guest mentioned, the furniture is dinged. The website fails to mention that you have to pay for the spa if you do not have an appointment for a service such as a massage. At $50 everytime you want to use it, it is very expensive and not mentioned anywhere until you try and use the facility. Complain and they will take pounds of the bill. On top of that they chage a 5% discretionary charge on your bill. Ask for it to be removed as you probably already tip the doorman, etc.

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

this is the second time weve stayed in th MOHP and it will may be the last. the location is excellent with harrods, harvey nicks and hyde park all on the doorstep. breakfast is good, served to your table in a nice environment and very relaxing. our suite was clean if a little dated and chintzy, bath room rather small but the usual toiletries. the problems start at night! by all accounts the bar is popular, the hotel has "bouncers" at the entrance demanding to know if you are a guest and if so have you booked a table, why would i book a table when im nipping in for a quick drink while my other half is getting dressed? when i did eventually get in the waitress told me about a cover charge! ill only be 20 minutes i said and took a seat in the half empty bar, i was then told the table was reserved, so i sat at the bar and tried to enjoy the ambiance! during this time 2 other guests were turned away. on another night when returning from an evening out we were abruptly turned away because the bar was full, i pointed out that a table was available, a quick side step and i was in, much to the shock of the east european security staff. again behind me more guests were turned away. in short the hotel has got to get this sorted out, they seem to think the bar is something special, its not, so if you stay in the MOHP, tell them p.s. porters are fantastic

Stayed at the MO Hyde Park in London for business for a week in June 2007. The location is great (backs onto Hyde Park) and the service is on par. However, I was very dissapointed with the following and as such will not stay in this property again. 1. Rooms - views on concrete walls in the basement for GPB400 per night are unacceptable; 2. Bathrooms - Extremely dated, with no seperate shower. Water pressure issues. Dirty and unhygenic shower curtain (I travel extensively and don't think I've ever stayed in a 5 star hotel that has shower curtains); 3. Noise - The first room I was in was directly on top of the ballroom where they were having a 21st birthday party on a weeknight which lasted well past midnight with extremely loud music. The service staff indicated there was "nothing they could do" and apologised but were not able to offer another room. In summary this property is extremely poor value for the price. I have stayed at the Covent Garden hotel (a Firmdale property) previously and it (for only c.GPB250 per night) was far superior.