Patricia Lescoe, Director of Sales and Marketing for Mandarin Oriental, Washington is pleased to announce the establishment of the pre-opening office for the 400-room luxury hotel, due to open in Spring 2004.

With construction well underway, bookings are currently being accepted for the city’s sophisticated new address and can be made at +1 (202) 554 8588 or [email protected].

Mandarin Oriental, Washington, D.C. is part of the Portals project located at 1330 Maryland Avenue, SW, a premier mixed-use development comprising significant upscale office, retail and restaurant components located in the southwest sector of the city, which is being developed by Republic Properties Corporation. The hotel is a few minutes from Ronald Reagan National Airport and steps from the Mall and the waterfront along Maine Avenue, offering spectacular views of the Potomac Tidal Basin and Washington Channel. Highlights at the new Mandarin Oriental include a theme signature bar and restaurant by renowned restaurant designer Tony Chi, as well as an all-day al fresco dining facility by Chi; an 8,800 square-foot Mandarin Oriental spa and a 2,000 square-foot permanent art gallery dedicated to rotating exhibits from Washington museums, beginning with the National Portrait Gallery. The hotel’s 400 guest rooms encompass two club floors and 52 suites, including the 3,500 square-foot Presidential Suite.

“Mandarin Oriental is a forward thinking company that looks outward into the community to focus on the future,” said Patricia Lescoe. “We are delighted to support the District’s and Mayor Anthony William’s quest to bring new life and business development to the Southwest Waterfront, the gateway to the nation’s capital.”

To well serve the high-end social arena and meetings market in Washington, the hotel is building an 8,300 square-foot main ballroom, a 5,300 square-foot junior ballroom with breakout facilities that are integrated into a function area with 10,000 square feet of pre-function space. Additionally, a 5,000 square-foot open-air terrace will overlook the Potomac Tidal Basin, offering a memorable setting for receptions and weddings.

“Mandarin Oriental is an international company embracing new business opportunities in Washington. We will target local, regional and international companies and associations with a luxury property that can host small to mid-size programs requiring up to 300 rooms. Our club and suites will appeal to companies and individuals who want the exclusivity and privacy of a smaller hotel combined with the amenities associated with larger properties such as multiple restaurants, a spa and a health club,” says Lescoe.

Lescoe recently joined Mandarin Oriental, Washington to spearhead the new office. She was formerly with Ritz-Carlton, where she served as Director of Sales and Marketing for The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation in Georgia, handling all aspects of marketing, sales, public relations, promotions, advertising, revenue management, communications and collateral development. Prior to joining Ritz-Carlton, Lescoe spent 10 years with Four Seasons-Regent Hotels and Resorts, most recently working as Area Director of Marketing for The Regent Bangkok and The Regent Resort Chiang Mai. She also served as Director of Marketing at The Regent Singapore after working as Regional Director of Sales in the Group’s Los Angeles-based Worldwide Sales Office. 

Lescoe obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Connecticut and has received numerous awards, including the Thurston Dupar Award for Leadership Excellence from Westin Hotels and Sales Person of the Year, Lead Referral of the Year, Award for Creativity and Outstanding Site Inspections and 2nd place for Asia Pacific Marketing, all from Four Seasons-Regent.

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 three additional hotels under development, including New York (opening late 2003), Washington D.C. (opening 2004) and Tokyo (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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