Mandarin Oriental announces opening team for Mayfair hotel

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has recruited a team of experienced hospitality professionals to launch and operate Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, which opens this spring.

The hotel on Hanover Square will be led by Susanne Hatje, who joins as general manager from Mandarin Oriental New York. She has worked for the group for 18 years and has both experience of running hotels and residences.

Hatje has experience opening the Mandarin Oriental Boston in 2008, as well as the Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong in 2005.

At the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair she will oversee 50 bedrooms and 77 private residences, as well as launching the Akira Back restaurant.

Director of F&B will be Jamie Dumas, who has worked with Akira Back in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, executive chef at the hotel will be Jihun Kim Maxime, who was previously leading the brigade at W Melbourne. He will work with Akira Back and head up Dosa, the counter-style restaurant in which is served contemporary Korean dishes.

The will both work alongside Camille Lemmery, restaurant director for Akira Back.

Other new recruits include concierge Peter Wharmby, who joins from Four Seasons Hotel Dubai, head sommelier Andres Ituarte, assistant director of spa Michelle Matthews, bar director Paolo Silverstri and head sushi chef Jacky Yu.