Six of the world's most incredible suites

By Harriet Cooper

October 1, 2022

There are rooms with a view and then there are those that take it to another level. We round up Mandarin Oriental’s most breathtakingly beautiful suites.

Flawless design, understated luxury, impeccable service – all come as standard in a Mandarin Oriental suite. But what really sets them apart is their individuality, whether that’s in the form of bespoke furnishings, a private pool on the sun-drenched terrace or a breathtaking view. Or all three.

Living room of the sumptuous Mandarin Penthouse Floor at Mandarin Oriental, Paris

For romance

It’s only fitting that one of the most romantic cities in the world should be home to the Mandarin Penthouse Suite at the very top of Mandarin Oriental, Paris. This airy split-level suite will set hearts fluttering – not least for its pretty Parisian panorama. Pour a glass of Champagne in the white and gold-hued drawing room, before toasting your amour on to the leafy terrace. Up the bespoke guilloche staircase, the ensuite bathroom features a huge soaking tub perfectly placed for the full twinkling effect of the Eiffel Tower by night.

A cosy nook with desk and lamp in the vibrantly decorated Fornasetti Suite at Mandarin Oriental, Milan

For quirky design

Milan is synonymous with cutting-edge design, style and creativity – Mandarin Oriental, Milan is a masterpiece in all. The aesthetically adventurous will want to stay in the fanciful Fornasetti Suite, located on the second floor of the hotel (known as the ‘noble’ floor because of its high ceilings and abundant natural light). This sprawling one-bedroom suite pays homage to the Milan-born designer’s love of whimsy, with Fornasetti originals at every turn – the living room, adorned with surrealist wallpaper and idiosyncratic furniture, is a particular standout.

The sun-drenched conservatory of the Ambassador Suite and Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

For the conservatory

Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok may be in the heart of buzzing Bangkok, but the city’s oldest and most revered hotel – which overlooks the gently flowing Chao Phraya river (the River of Kings) – is an oasis of calm. Nowhere is this tranquil vibe more apparent than the Ambassador Suite. With a cool palette and Thai decorative accents, it’s serene and stylish in equal measure. But it’s the private Victorian-inspired glass conservatory which steals the show, with its hard-to-beat views over the river and verdant gardens below.

A colleague preparing the breakfast table on the terrace of the Penthouse Suite at Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona with panoramic views of the city in the background

For the terrace

Barcelona never ceases to please with its architectural treasures, energising culinary scene and bohemian ambience. How better to soak up the atmosphere than from the exquisitely designed Penthouse Suite, which occupies the entire eighth floor of Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona? Not one but two terraces wrap around this two-bedroom suite. Ensconce yourself on the enormous outdoor L-shaped sofa or dine alfresco at the eight-seater table for bird’s-eye views of Passeig de Gràcia – the city’s beloved, bustling boulevard, home to designer boutiques and iconic modernist buildings.

A breakfast of fruits and pastries served on the terrace of The Royal Suite at Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech, looking out across the sprawling pools and gardens across the hotel

For the private pool

Set in 20 hectares of fragrant gardens and rolling olive groves, Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is a lesson in understated elegance. The look here is a contemporary take on the traditional riad with Berber and Andalusian-Arabic design flourishes. The Royal Suite reflects this perfectly, with its hand-woven rugs from Rabat and tadelakt-plastered walls. Step onto the suite’s outdoor terrace and into one of the two plunge pools from which, on a clear day, you’ll see the majestic beauty of the Atlas Mountains.

The 12-seater dining area with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out across the city in the Mandarin Suite at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong

For entertaining space

Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong is legendary – it is, after all, the original Mandarin Oriental. For an intimate gathering, the expansive one-bedroom Mandarin Suite offers seclusion and luxury. The wood-panelled living room is furnished with priceless antiquities and Asian-inspired artwork, though guests will be equally mesmerised by the floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking Victoria Harbour. The dining room seats 12; after dinner, take digestifs on the balcony, which extends the entire length of the suite on two sides.

About the Author

Harriet Cooper

Harriet Cooper is a UK-based travel and lifestyle writer, whose work has appeared in The Telegraph, Red and The Glossary.