Director of Spa and Wellness

Mo Lounge's Afternoon Tea walks guests through chef's pastry career amid rising tea popularity. On the 35th floor of the five-star luxury hotel Mandarin Oriental, a hidden gem awaits, offering an elegant afternoon tea experience daily from noon to 4:30 p.m. Mo Lounge, a sky lobby-based restaurant located at 80 Columbus Circle, treats guests to stunning views overlooking Central Park, all while serving delicious plates of sweet delights that walk guests through a pastry chef's life journey. Get amny in your inbox! News, events, culture and more - delivered to you. The Midtown lunch service, designed and led by Executive Pastry Chef Ron Paprocki, features a diverse selection of teas sourced from the renowned Rare Tea Company. Guests can choose between a long list of black, green, white and oolong teas, as well as herbal infusions, all thoughtfully paired with a prix fixe menu. The menu begins with freshly baked ginger and butter scones, served with Devonshire cream and a strawberry rhubarb jam, before moving into the savory tea sandwiches. The four sandwiches include a Truffled Egg Salad Royale, a Cucumber and Boursin cheese, a Confit Duck Brioche and a Smoked Salmon with Watercress butter. Finally, the main highlight arrives, a line of pastries that takes guests through Paprocki's pastry career, beginning with a crisp, caramelized Almond Florentine topped with a Luxardo cherry. Paprocki, who was born and raised in Rochester, had his first apprenticeship for pastries in Germany. "The first thing an apprentice would do would be to make Florentine," Paprocki said. "So this little disc really speaks volumes for me. It's a good reflection of where I came from." The treat is made with the best ingredients Paprocki could find, including locally sourced honey from Queens, cream from Battenkill Creamery and Burlap & Barrel cinnamon. The following pastries in the lineup also have a similar story. The Fraisier, also known as a French strawberry cake, was something that Paprocki had made when he was an Executive Pastry Chef at the Gordon Ramsay at London NYC, a two-michelin-starred restaurant in Midtown's The London Hotel from 2006 to 2014. Following these two desserts is a Passion Fruit Choux, one of Paprocki's favorites due to his love of acidity in pastries, and a Yuzu-Match Tart. The meal ends with a rich 85% Dark Chocolate Layered Ganache Cake that takes Paprocki straight back into his childhood. "It's something that evokes my childhood, when my mom would always make chocolate cake for my two sisters and [me]," Paprocki said. "This is a plate of favorites." Mo Lounge's current Afternoon Tea menu, which was launched in January, comes at a time when the consumption of tea is on the rise in the U.S., especially among younger generations such as Millenials, according to the Tea Association of the U.S. At the same time, a 2025 Gallup poll has shown that only 54% of American adults drink alcohol, which is a record-low since 1939. Tea has been cited as the most consumed beverage in the world behind water, according to the association, but is often considered less popular than coffee in the U.S. However, a study done by Toast POS in 2024 claims that tea is more popular than coffee in 31 states, especially in Southern states. In 2022, the U.S. imported $508 million worth of tea, which is approximately $350 million more than in 1992, according to Census Bureau data. A study from the National Library of Medicine shows that drinking tea also has a range of health benefits, such as boosting metabolism and strengthening the immune system. The tea menu at Mo Lounge will soon be changing for the spring season, as Paprocki looks forward to creating more dishes incorporating seasonal fruits as the weather begins to warm. Afternoon Tea at the Mo Lounge is priced at $135 per person, with vegan and children's menus also available. Reservations can be made online at MO Lounge: Central Park Dining | Mandarin Oriental, New York.

Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong unveils Terrace Boulud as daniel Boulud makes Hong Kong debut. * March 25, 2026 Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong has officially unveiled Terrace Boulud by Mandarin Oriental, introducing the first Hong Kong restaurant from internationally acclaimed chef daniel Boulud. Located on the 25th floor of Landmark Prince's and directly linked to Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, the rooftop French brasserie extends the hotel's dining footprint beyond the walls of its flagship property for the first time. The new venue pairs sweeping views across Victoria Harbour and Central's skyline with a concept that brings together French art de vivre and Hong Kong's contemporary energy. The restaurant was officially launched on 12 March with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by invited guests, media and loyal patrons, offering an early look at what Mandarin Oriental described as the next era of experiences to come as its renovation programme continues. For Boulud, the opening represents a long-held ambition to establish a presence in Hong Kong. "Opening Terrace Boulud in Hong Kong is a meaningful milestone. For many years in New York, I have welcomed guests from Hong Kong who dine with us regularly, so to now cook in their city feels very special," he said. "I first experienced Hong Kong in mid 80's and was captivated by its vibrant food culture. It has long been a wish to open a restaurant here. I'm grateful to work alongside our CEO, Sébastien Silvestri, whose leadership helped bring this vision to life. Together with Mandarin Oriental and our design partners at Malherbe Paris, we've created a restaurant that reflects the elegance of the Boulud tradition while embracing the dynamic spirit of Hong Kong." Terrace Boulud's menu is shaped around Boulud's four culinary muses: La Tradition, La Saison, Le Potager and Le Voyage. The offering reinterprets classic French brasserie dining through a contemporary lens, while drawing on regional produce and broader culinary influences. During its soft-opening phase, the restaurant is serving dinner alongside bar snacks and drinks on the terrace, with full lunch and dinner service to begin from mid-April. Afternoon tea will be introduced at a later stage. The food and beverage programme will include an à la carte menu, an extensive wine list, inventive cocktails and curated brews, while the terrace is designed to move easily from aperitifs to late-evening dining against the city skyline. Designed by Malherbe Paris, the interiors take inspiration from the golden age of French brasseries and the romance of luxury rail travel. Curved woodwork, hand-crafted finishes and layered lighting create a warm, immersive setting, while references to local craftsmanship and Hong Kong's harbourfront help anchor the restaurant in its destination.

Pause & play: mo Downtown. March 24, 2026. Redefining how the city unwinds, Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai presents a series of staycation and day experiences to elevate time spent in the city. From indulgent staycations to sun-soaked day escapes and holistic treatments at The Spa, each offering invites guests to slow down and savour a more intentional pace. 1. An Elevated Staycation: A Meaningful Pause For residents craving a local reset, the hotel's A Meaningful Pause staycation package blends urban luxury with thoughtful touches designed to switch off and unwind. Enjoy 20% off the best available stay rate across the sleek rooms, alongside flexible perks including early check-in from 12pm and late check-out until 4pm - perfect for maximizing relaxation. Guests are welcomed with a complimentary room upgrade (subject to availability), daily breakfast, and added indulgences such as 20% savings on spa treatments and dining experiences. The experience extends beyond Downtown Dubai with exclusive beach access at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira Dubai, offering the best of both city and seaside escapes. This offer is valid until 31 August 2026. 2. The Ultimate Daycation Escape: The Mandarin Pass For a wellness-led daycation, The Mandarin Pass delivers a seamless blend of pool-side relaxation and leisure, complemented with dining and spa credit. Guests will enjoy a Superior or Deluxe Room from 9am - 6pm, with full access to wellness facilities, including the sauna, steam room and fitness centre, before unwinding poolside at Noia by the Pool with cistyscape views. Designed with families in mind, the experience also includes complimentary Kids Club access and free entry for children under 12. The Mandarin Pass is priced at AED 1200 per couple, with AED 400 credit per person, fully redeemable on food and beverages - ideal for a leisurely lunch or refreshing drinks in a serene setting... 3. The Sunset Ritual at Noia by the Pool As the afternoon gently transitions into evening, the atmosphere shifts into Sundown at Noia by the Pool - a golden-hour ritual running from 5pm - 7pm. Guests can savour Aegean-inspired small plates and Mediterranean cocktails, all while enjoying 30% savings on selected menu items, set against the soft glow of sunset and serene poolside views. Dining delights include a curated selection of Aegean-inspired plates - from oysters and mezze to chicken souvlaki, zucchini balls and truffle potatoes - paired with Greek wines and Mediterranean cocktails, including the Athenian Spritz and Kumquat Margarita. 4. Next-Gen Wellness: Bespoke Treatments Targeting Skin, Sleep and Holistic Wellbeing At Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai, spa and wellness goes beyond relaxation, offering results-driven treatments that merge science, innovation and holistic healing. For advanced skincare, the global exclusive Reparative Longevity Facial by 111SKIN delivers a 90-minute, clinically inspired treatment designed to strengthen and future-proof the skin. Powered by the brand's proprietary NAC Y[2](TM) complex, the treatment works to combat inflammation, environmental stress and premature ageing, while improving elasticity, hydration and overall luminosity - making it ideal for urban lifestyles. Complementing this is the Rest & Restore Deep Sleep ritual, a 75-minute full-body experience crafted to calm the nervous system and promote restorative sleep. Through slow, rhythmic massage, sound therapy and craniosacral techniques, the treatment gently releases tension and encourages deep relaxation, leaving guests feeling grounded, rebalanced and fully restored. Guests can also make use of The Spa's impressive facilities including the vitality pools, experience shower, and trepidarium loungers and fitness centre for the ultimate mind and body experience. Together, these leisurely experiences offer offers a refined take on modern luxury - one that invites guests to pause, indulge and reconnect at their own pace in the heart of the city. For reservations, please visit: www.mandarinoriental.com/dubai/downtown or call +97147778888 Instagram: @mo_downtowndubai