From Bartender to General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

Having started his hospitality career at the age of 16 in hotel bars and then with the Mandarin Oriental Group for more than 37 years, Torsten van Darmen was the obvious choice to become General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. After working for the group at other hotels around the world, including senior positions in Washington, D.C., Hong Kong, Manila, Chiang Mai and Bangkok, this will be Van Dulemen’s fifth return to the iconic London facility. .

You started your career at Mandarin Oriental. What drew you to the brand and how has it changed over your career? I have been here since the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group took over in 1996 and reopened in 2000. As a matter of fact, I love Asian heritage. I like the fact that they choose the right place. I love the fact that they are leading the competition when it comes to wellness. All of the hotels in the group have a great sense of place that reflects the neighborhoods they operate in. I joined the group over 27 years ago and they have made me more respectful of the brand. became.

No need to explain how crowded the London hotel scene is. We have a very strong brand. Our oriental heritage has given us this status. This London hotel is the only hotel within the park and is car-free. This is his tale of two cities. With bustling Knightsbridge in front and a quiet park behind.

How do you keep up with ever-changing market demands and customer demands? What never goes out of style and should never be lost is that people are always looking for inspiration. It can range from something as simple as a beautiful building shape or a quiet park to world-class service. People want in-hotel experiences like great spa treatments and great food.

We have guests who come to the Imperial Suite five times a year. Customers who have traveled, stayed in the best rooms, driven luxury cars, and worked hard to get to where they are today. Some people want to save lives and celebrate special anniversaries with us. Or maybe you just want a really good cup of coffee. It’s important to create memories for everyone who walks through our doors.

What is your favorite spot in the hotel and why? The lobby, especially the front staircase next to the doorman, knows exactly what’s going on. They greet every guest that arrives and you pick up a lot to talk to them about.

How does a hotel like Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London balance tradition and innovation? I think the British do this very well. We have the royal family, but we also have the most innovative designers and fashion houses and a top-notch music scene, and the Mandarin Oriental his Hyde Park London is a perfect reflection of that. Ours is her iconic 1880s building, but with state-of-the-art rooms and dining options inside.

I read how passionate you are about global sustainability at Mandarin Oriental, but what does that actually look like in terms of day-to-day operations within the hotel? How individual is ? Or are you looking to introduce something more unified and global? I am deeply passionate about sustainability. I always buy organic. i am vegan I drive an electric car I always buy suits and clothes that are timeless and will last for years. We are very careful about what we throw away. And I avoid plastic as much as possible.

This ripples into what I do, from pleasure to business. It’s part of our culture and part of every decision we make. Some things every hotel does is try to eliminate plastic from all outlets. No hotel will list endangered species on its menu. Each hotel has specific practices associated with each property. What concerns resort hotels in Turkey concerns city hotels such as London and Paris, and is completely different from what matters.

What keeps you excited about the travel and hotel industry? i love my job I have worked in hotels for nearly 40 years. I was 16 when I got my first job in a hotel bar. I didn’t change a single day. Travel is now so accessible that people can go to places unthinkable 50 years ago.

I know you travel a lot, what do you always have in your suitcase? my running shoes. I run every day, but if I don’t run, I have to. Books and Headphones — I listen to audiobooks a lot. You can read an entire book with the long range light. I don’t travel with a laptop. I always tell my team that if you can make a decision without me, I’ll back you up, but if you’re stuck, call me.