The Mandrake Hotel in Fitzrovia has to be one of London’s boldest and most unique five-star boutique hotels. Doubling up as a cultural hub for likeminded individuals, the hotel was founded and is owned by entrepreneur and art collector, Rami Fustok. This
centrally located property features 33 rooms and suites, as well as an award-winning Penthouse, all of which are impeccably designed.
Fustok’s love for art is evident throughout The Mandrake’s original design. The interiors are a canvas for exquisite and striking art, while the hotel’s energy is based on an ‘ever evolving’ concept. Throughout the year, the property presents itself as a welcoming space for artists, performers, exhibitions and events. Guests leave wanting to return time and time again (this one certainly did) to relive the extraordinary combination of vigour, music, creative cuisine, experimental cocktails, escapism, spirituality and the luxury that the hotel offers.
Art and Design
There are similarities between The White Lotus and The Mandrake, although you could argue the latter is darker, moodier and more mysterious. Designed by Tala Fustok Studio, the hotel’s inspiration comes from the medicinal properties of ‘the mandrake’. Spaces are named after plants that are steeped in myth and legend, but also used to heal and incite delirium. Eclectic décor is complemented by pops of vibrant colours and an ever-changing rotation of artwork, sporadic and unexpected artistic performances and curated playlists in each space. A stay at The Mandrake is certainly a stand-out experience.
The hotel plays host to a range of one-off and unique art pieces including, but not limited
to, works created by Bushra Fakhoury, Thomas Hooper, David Paul Kay, Malec Fustok,
Salvador Dali, Jeff Koons and Mark Chagall. All pieces have been chosen by Rami to
spotlight the spirit and soul of the spaces that guests encounter, and to underpin the
hotel’s commitment to offer the most unique, exciting and desirable immersive
destination hotel in London.
Rooms
The 33 guestrooms are each uniquely designed with custom furniture from London and
Paris. Every room is different, and categories range from Classic Rooms, Newman
Rooms to Terrace Rooms, and all feature staple velvet headboards, vintage chandeliers,
and French rugs.
Among the Suite categories, highlights include: The Newman Suite, designed to embrace
the light with its airy décor; The Terrace Suite, featuring dark and nocturnal tones with
inky coloured walls; and The Mandrake Suite, a sumptuous offering, draped in textural
contrast of velvet, silk and satin.
The Penthouse Suite is the hotel’s crown and glory, having welcomed some of the
world’s most acclaimed faces. Actors, musicians, directors and artists have called the
marbled, opulent and lavish space their ‘home’. The bedroom was designed to nourish
the senses and encourage its residents to stay beyond themselves. Encased in white
Veronese Bookend marble, its emperor bed has a custom-made cashmere mattress. An
eight-person dining table welcomes private celebrations, parties and gatherings. The six-
person jacuzzi sits below a retractable roof revealing London’s glorious sky.
YOPO
If the Penthouse Suite is the hotel’s crown, then YOPO is its fabulous diamond covered tiara.
YOPO Restaurant and YOPO Bar, The Mandrake’s signature dining outlets, are headed
up by acclaimed Executive Chef George Scott-Toft. He offers a menu of bold and
flavoursome modern South American dishes with European influences, inspired by his
personal travel experiences around the world.
Interior design enjoys a sensual bohemian look with an eclectic mix of comfortable
furniture sourced from around the world, alongside exotic art to enhance the dining
experience. On entering the space, visitors will be stopped by the beauty of ‘Showgirl’,
the grandiose ostrich by Enrique Gomez de Molina that takes centre stage in the space.
The polarisation of light and dark in the space creates a narrative that leaves the viewer
with more questions than answers.
Encapsulating guests into the adventure of YOPO and pulling visitors further into the
curious world of The Mandrake, the second roof installation above diners’ heads is by artist Peter-John de Villiers. Mystical beings, therianthropes, repetitive patterns, and
jungle fauna draws people further from reality where they can indulge in the unknown
whilst enjoying breakfast, lunch, Shamanic Flowing Brunch or dinner.
Menu highlights from Scott-Toft include the Welsh Lamb Loin, Smoked Ricotta & Piquillo Pepper, the Josper Grilled Sirloin, Charred Spring Onions & Chimichurri, and the Yellowtail, Plantain & Aji Tiradito.
Waeska
Statement destination and ethnobotanic bar, Waeska Bar, is situated in the heart of the
hotel and is perfect for a pre-dinner drink or post-meal nightcap – or both. The space is framed by exquisite and rare artworks centred around an expansive labradorite bar.
Open daily, cosy seating and sultry low lighting feature in this place to be seen. Waeska
features a cocktail menu founded on ethnobotany – the study of a region’s plants and
their practical uses through the traditional knowledge of a local culture and people. Through experimentation and personal research of ancient herbs and botanicals,
Waeska offers an evolving menu of cocktails that surprise and tempt.
Waeska’s star piece of artwork is situated above the bar and is named Fable. The
evocative creature has the horns and ears of a buck, a calf’s head, deer legs, peacock
and pheasant features and beetle skin. The artwork was created by Cuban artist Enrique
Gomez De Molina and is a prize possession of The Mandrake Hotel.
Wellbeing
The beating heart of The Mandrake is its spiritual wellbeing and soul retrieval programme, with treatments centred around the ethos that the soul needs to be
nourished as much as the mind and body.
Alongside a dedicated Spiritual Wellbeing Concierge, the property offers specially
curated sensory experiences such as Audience Oracle Card Readings and Celestial
Shamanic Ceremonies, all the way to a Full Moon Cacao Ceremony.
Additional wellbeing offerings include weekly events that take place throughout the
hotel, such as Tea Ceremonies, Sound Baths and Sunday Yoga. Massage sessions are
also available to improve sleep and boost immunity.
With its own in-house library, booths, tranquil outdoor terrace complete with exotic hanging plants, a secret garden called Oshun Cabana, and the Masha Hari Theatre for large events, The Mandrake is one of London’s most original five-star hotels that has to be experienced to be believed.
For more information, visit www.themandrake.com
