Hong Kong June 24, 2003———To celebrate the start of summer, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London has introduced a selection of exotic picnic hampers, each offering homemade delicacies for the perfect picnic feast in Hyde Park.

Ideally located directly opposite London`s royal park, the hotel not only provides picnic fare, but can also arrange for its footmen to carry and arrange the picnic at a location of the guest`s choice. Alternatively, for seasonal events or private tours to the countryside, guests can order a picnic hamper and limousine with Concierge and relax in chauffeur driven comfort and style. In addition, Mandarin Oriental butlers are available upon request to provide service throughout.

Executive Chef, David Nicholls, has prepared a number of picnic `menus`. Prices start at £60 per person, based on two sharing. Items on the menu include; Parma ham on foccaccia with fig marmalade; poached lobster, artichoke and orange salad; fillet of beef Wellington, Cumberland sauce. Poached asparagus, gem salad and parmesan cheese; and oven roast tomato, basil and mozzarella salad. cheddar and stilton cheeses with fruit bread, celery and grapes; Summer puddings, clotted Jersey cream; and strawberries, cream and shortbread wafers. Champagne, white wine and still or sparkling water is also included.

In addition, Afternoon tea can be included for an extra £15 per person, based on two sharing. This includes traditional sandwiches, delicate tea pastries and traditional English tea cakes, with a selection of plain and fruit scones, clotted cream, rose petal and strawberry jams.

All hampers must be booked at least 24 hours in advance to allow time for preparation and are available from 20 May and 20 September 2003 for guests and non-residents of the hotel. Costs for butler service are additional. Reservations can be made by contacting Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on 0207 235 2000 or refer to the Group`s on-line reservations service at www.mandarinoriental.com .

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has consistently been voted one of the world`s best hotels by the readers of influential publications. Located in the heart of Knightsbridge,the hotel has 200 elegant rooms and suites and features Guest Floor Managers. There are two award winning restaurants, Foliage and The Park, stylish bar and, the ultimate in urban escapism, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental.

Mandarin Oriental is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world`s most prestigious hotels and resorts.  In total, the Group operates 18 luxury hotels in key business and leisure destinations, with five additional hotels under development in New York (opening late 2003), Washington D.C. (opening 2004), Hong Kong (opening 2005) as well as Tokyo and Boston (opening 2006).  Mandarin Oriental now operates some 7,000 rooms in eleven countries with nine hotels in Asia, six in The Americas and three in Europe.

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