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Mandarin Oriental’s (MAND SP—US$2.2 billion) five-star hotels are some of the best in the world.
But what many do not know is that Mandarin Oriental is a publicly listed entity. You can get exposure to the brand through its primary listing in London or secondary listings in Singapore or Bermuda. The company is part of the Jardine Matheson Group - an Asia-focused conglomerate with a rich history as a British trading house.
The hotel operations began with the construction of The Mandarin Hotel in 1963. Ten years later, the same group acquired The Oriental Hotel in Bangkok. By merging these two names, “Mandarin Oriental” was born, becoming a phenomenon in the global luxury hotel industry.
Today, the company operates 41 hotels globally, mainly under the Mandarin Oriental brand name. Twelve of those hotels are wholly or partially owned by Mandarin Oriental. The remaining 29 hotels are owned by third parties but managed similarly to their owned hotels.
The brand is incredibly strong. It’s associated with ultra-luxury experiences, up there with Four Seasons and Shangri-La. In the early 2000s, it launched an advertisement campaign with famous individuals such as Morgan Freeman and Michelle Yeoh saying, “I’m a fan.” This campaign was a massive success.
Reviews for Mandarin Oriental’s hotels are strong, too, with Booking.com scores of 9.0-9.5 across its core portfolio. Here are a few highlights from those reviews:
“The whole experience was spectacular. It was truly a perfect stay. The location, the room, the bed, the bathroom, room service, the gym, Sauna, and Jacuzzi have all been in use and are all amazing.” – Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
“Service is outstanding - quite possibly the best in the world. The rooms are excellent, extremely well appointed and designed to a high standard. A lot of thought and attention to detail has been given.” – Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
“I won't be exaggerating when I say it was the best hotel experience my wife and I have ever had. Everything... I mean everything... was very close to perfection for us.” – Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai
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