Mandarin Oriental San Francisco to soon complete Room Refurbishment

The Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco is on schedule to complete the interior redesign of all its 158 guest rooms and suites by Spring 2006.

“We’re delighted to be working with Susan Caruso of Intra-Spec, Inc.,” said Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco’s General Manager Sal Abaunza. “We feel her designs reflect the international flavor of Mandarin Oriental without losing the character and vitality that is modern San Francisco.”

Comfort, function and the views were the driving factors in the new interior design concept for the prestigious hotel. “The most obvious feature of the Mandarin Oriental guest rooms are the views,” said Caruso. “They offered both a challenge and an opportunity. The Golden Gate, the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, the ships and boats on San Francisco Bay, all present formidable competition for any room design’s visual impact. But what an exciting backdrop to work with.”

A number of unusual features immediately attract attention. “The bed is oversized and very high, so that even while reclining, the views aren’t lost,” said Caruso. “The bed has a headboard that glows at night. There is a circular motif, a symbol of eternity, and the light in the center glows like the setting sun, a subtle Asian influence. It makes a very dramatic statement for turn down service.”

“I took into account everything a guest could possibly need,” added Caruso. “We created a space to relax, the chaise; a space to work, the generous size desk; a place to dine in the room; the sofa and chair with a higher cocktail table to double as a dining area and then made certain there was also a dressing area.”

Two separate color palettes were devised for the rooms. “A cinnamon red scheme was a natural for the Asian accents we were creating. The royal blue color scheme is elegant, a little more subtle and a nice alternative to the red. I felt the rooms needed to be rather bold to complement the incredible views.”

“The wood we chose is a rich mahogany with gold leaf accents. The floor at the entry is bamboo, to create a sense of arrival. Window coverings are constructed of a roman sheer, to let the view in and at the same time diffuse the light. The pattern on the sheer is a ginkgo leaf, a subtle Asian influence. Fabrics are very silk like, great textures. And the carpet has a dimensional quality which really sets off the furniture and fabric in the room.”

The lighting was also designed with the views in mind, even the nighttime views. “To create a mood balancing the city lights outside and the light inside the room, all lamps are on full range dimmers and are controlled from the bed side as well as from the lamp itself. This way the guest can control the lighting depending on the time of day, and the desired mood.”

Conversion of the guest rooms began in January 2006 and is scheduled to be completed by Spring 2006. The project is being undertaken one floor at a time so as not to inconvenience guests.

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