The Mandarin Oriental time out planner

By Elizabeth Winding

avril 18, 2023

From spa afternoons to extended island stays, make the most of some time for yourself – however long you have.

Whether we’re talking a few hours, a weekend away or longer, we all need time out every now and again – and Mandarin Oriental has it covered. That might mean an unhurried afternoon tea or a day pass to a show-stopping pool; unwinding in a hammam or booking a tailor-made Time Ritual in the spa. Dreaming of a change of scene? Hop on a flight to Barcelona, make yourself at home in Paris, or decamp to a tiny, palm-fringed Caribbean island – the ultimate in remote working.

A guest relaxing in the spa at Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech

90 minutes – Hide out in a spectacular hammam

A steam-filled, restorative hammam session is a must in Marrakech, especially after an afternoon treasure-seeking in its souks. Retreat to the calm, soothingly opulent Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech and surrender to its hammam experience. You'll be slathered with black soap then exfoliated with a kessa glove, before an aromatic body wrap with mineral-rich Atlas Mountains clay. After that, in a blissful daze, drift to the relaxation room to sip a fresh mint tea.

A sunlit table stylishly set for afternoon tea at Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid

Two hours – Linger over afternoon tea

Afternoon tea at Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid is not to be rushed, so set aside two hours to be comprehensively spoilt. Settle into a gilded sofa, summon a glass of Champagne and take in the elegant, glass-domed Palm Court and tea-sipping Madrileños. The menu is ever-changing, but generally includes a pulguita – ‘little sandwich’ – filled with Iberian ham, while scones are served with clotted cream and violet jam (a nod to the city’s official flower). Among the dainty cakes and pastries, the nutty turrón tartlet is a signature.

View of the pool from the cabana at Mandarin Oriental, Dubai

One day – Unwind poolside in Dubai

Edged by teak decks and swaying palms, the pool complex at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai is nothing short of spectacular. Beyond four turquoise, tessellating pools lies the hotel’s pristine white-sand beach, lapped by the Persian Gulf. Lunch waterfront-side on lobster roll or a stacked club sandwich at Sun Vibe, then dream the afternoon away on a parasol-shaded lounger, or in one of the private cabanas.

A colleague preparing for service at Moments restaurant at Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona

Two days – Spend the weekend in Barcelona

For a couldn’t-be-more-central city break, check into Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona. It’s set amid Passeig de Gràcia’s upscale boutiques and architectural icons, including Gaudí’s rainbow-scaled Casa Batlló (Get a bird’s-eye view from the rooftop terrace before your morning swim). Snack your way around La Boqueria market then wander the Barri Gòtic, or get an art fix at MACBA, whose collection includes several Basquiats. Just be back at the hotel in time for dinner; grilled scallops and small plates at Blanc, perhaps, or Moments’ two-starred tasting menu.

View over the rooftop terrace of Mandarin Oriental, Paris

One week – Become an honorary Parisian

Whirlwind weekends in Paris may be headily romantic, but it’s lovelier still to take your time with a week’s sojourn at Mandarin Oriental, Paris. It’s a chance to update your address book with some chic new addresses, like in-demand ‘micro-restaurant’ Double or fashion-set favourite Dover Street Market Paris. Naturally you’ll need a chic pied-à-terre, and the hotel has just the thing: the palatial, four-bedroom Parisian Apartment. By the time the week’s out, you'll feel like un vrai Parisien, padding across its parquet floors, lounging in its marble tub, or dining on the jasmine-scented terrace.

Golf buggy and golfers on the course at Mandarin Oriental, Canouan

A month – Relocate to a Caribbean island

For a longer getaway, consider a complete change of scene. Your paradise destination as a home-from-home? Mandarin Oriental, Canouan, set on a tiny, ultra-exclusive Caribbean island. Its ocean-view villas and suites are ideal for remote working, while extended stays bring myriad benefits, from educational activities for the kids to your own golf buggy. (Watch out for the resident tortoises.) When you’re not tapping a laptop, hone your golf and tennis or snorkel in Tobago Cays’ turquoise shallows, before heading back for a sunset swim and poolside margarita.

All offers and experiences available at time of publication. Please contact the relevant hotel team for more information.

About the Author

Elizabeth Winding

Elizabeth is a lifestyle and travel journalist, whose work has appeared in Times Travel, Condé Nast Traveler and The Telegraph.