Hotel of the Week: The Mandrake

What Makes This Hotel Special?

Named not in an uncool Harry Potter reference, but instead a nod to a hallucinogenic root plant, The Mandrake is inherently edgy.  As you first walk in, your eyes take a moment to adjust from the bright Soho street to the moody interior. You’re immediately distracted by the plethora of eclectic pieces – the gothic illustrations tattooed on the walls, a large stuffed ostrich or cascading plants. It’s maximalism at its finest.

Anyone who has been to Ibiza will feel an immediate familiarity in The Mandrake. Part fantasy fever dream, part bohemian hideaway, it blends hedonism with an unmistakable sense of exclusivity. The entrance itself has a distinct nightlife feel, as if you’re being led to a dance floor rather than a reception desk.

What makes this hotel special is that you never quite know what to expect. From the artwork to the spa menu, every aspect has been designed with a sense of discovery in mind. One moment you’re soaking in a bath upstairs, the next you’re being led to the members’ club next door. The Mandrake is creative and curious, perfect for the traveller who likes their stays tinged with a hint of intrigue.

Are the Rooms Worth Booking?

Yes! The hotel's 33 rooms are styled in either a light or dark fashion. I stayed in the Newman Suite, perched on the top floor, with airier décor than most of the hotel. That doesn’t mean it’s lost its glamour, far from it. Between the jewel-toned velvet sofas, gold Art Deco mirror and studded leather TV stand at the foot of the bed, the suite certainly has character.

The bathroom in particular deserves special mention. Floor-to-ceiling marble, his and her sinks separated by a large vanity case full of amenities, and my favourite, the freestanding gold claw-foot bathtub, it is an opulent oasis in and of itself.

What Wellness Experiences Can Guests Expect?

Beneath the city pavements, the hotel’s DAMU spa is a refreshing return to ancient wellness principles. The big attractions are The Origin Pool – a zero-gravity experience that blends chromotherapy and 3D soundwaves that place you in a near-meditative trance as you float – and the Mud Caves. I sampled the latter and spent an hour in the subterranean burrow, slathering my skin in different types of mud.

I have a possibly misguided belief that anything that comes from the earth must in some way be good for you. Mud is literal earth, so the logic applies. The experience begins with a steam to open the pores and ready the skin. The beauty here is that you have the caves all to yourself, so no rubbing shoulders with sweaty strangers. After ten minutes or so, you're encouraged to apply a gentle exfoliating scrub, then start applying the mud, displayed in what looks like an ice cream bar. There are three types to apply throughout the hour, each hand-harvested from the Austrian Alps, enriched by glacial waters and infused with quartz, mica and bentonite to better detoxify and purify the skin. Results are immediate, with your skin feeling soft and glowy almost as soon as you wash the mud off. But it’s the hour of isolation in as natural an environment as you can simulate in a city that truly relaxes and replenishes.

Where Can You Eat and Drink at the Hotel?

Recently refurbished, YOPO Zaytoun offers a lavish Levantine feast that mixes Mediterranean freshness with Middle Eastern spices and flavours. As an absolute sucker for a breadbasket, I’m immediately impressed when handed an olive oil menu for dunking and opt for a Palestinian blend that combines grassy, fruity notes with a peppery finish.

The menu is segmented into small, large, raw, sides and sweet, so there is plenty to choose from. I’d recommend selecting the mixed platter to start, paired with four dips – a silky hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, cool tzatziki and creamy taramasalata – before moving onto a yellow-tail crudo with burnt lemon gel, the slow-roasted miso aubergine and the piece de resistance, the native Cornish lobster tail served on a bed of creamy tomato orzo. For dessert, you cannot miss the pistachio mille-feuille, crisp layers of vanilla cream, pistachio sponge and a sharp citrus finish to cut through.

Post-dinner, a drink at the Jurema terrace is obligatory. Juxtaposing the dark romantic vibe of the rest of the hotel, the terrace is more of an open-air courtyard or riad, surrounded by suspended jasmine and other hanging plants that infuse the air with a heady, musky quality. Here you can enjoy a blood orange bellini or patchouli margarita under the London sky with dulcet tones coming from the DJ decks.

Who Are the People Behind the Property?

The Mandrake is owned by Rami Fustok, who launched the hotel with ambitions to create an immersive sanctuary in the heart of the city. Born in Beirut and raised in London, Rami grew up surrounded by art and creativity, in part thanks to his mother, the acclaimed sculptor Bushra Fakhoury. After spending time at hotels such as Sanderson and St Martins Lane, Fustok wanted to create a more sensual and emotionally engaging form of hospitality. The Mandrake became the manifestation of that vision: a maximalist world of rich colours, tactile fabrics and provocative art.

Rooms start at £334 per night. Book your stay at themandrake.com