Luxury hotel chain, Mandarin Oriental, eyes expansion in the high-end vacation rental market.
Mandarin Oriental, the prestigious hospitality group renowned for its exceptional service and luxurious accommodations, is expanding its footprint in the luxury residential market. The expansion focuses on its **Exceptional Homes** luxury vacation rental platform, which aims to offer unique experiences, combining hotel stays with villa experiences, and enabling guests to explore more of their chosen destinations.
The expansion plan includes strategic leadership appointments, the acquisition of prestigious properties, and a global footprint designed to offer unparalleled luxury living and vacation experiences. In June 2025, Mandarin Oriental appointed Brad Berry as Head of Residences & Homes and Philip Leighton as Head of Exceptional Homes. Their extensive experience in branded residential development and luxury travel is crucial for guiding the division's growth and ensuring the offerings embody Mandarin Oriental's values of excellence, innovation, and exceptional service.
The company is adding iconic and highly sought-after properties to its portfolio. For example, the addition of the Château de la Croix des Gardes, a renowned French château on the Côte d’Azur, signals a significant expansion in Europe’s luxury vacation rental market. Mandarin Oriental aims to expand in key cities and resort destinations worldwide, positioning the brand to become a dominant force in the luxury residential market.
The focus is on combining privacy, high-end service, and style to redefine luxury living experiences. Current locations for Mandarin-affiliated vacation home rentals include the Cotswolds and London in the U.K., the south of France, the Spanish vacation hot spots of Majorca and Ibiza, Bali, and the luxe Los Angeles neighborhood of Bel Air. Each hand-picked luxurious home on the platform fits naturally into the Mandarin Oriental portfolio, ensuring guests receive the same exceptional service they would expect from a Mandarin Oriental hotel.
Guests of Mandarin Oriental-affiliated vacation rentals have a dedicated concierge during their stay and can enjoy private, on-demand culinary experiences from an in-house private chef. Homes on Mandarin Oriental Exceptional Homes receive daily housekeeping during a stay and offer luxurious hotel-like amenities such as bathrobes. Each Mandarin Oriental-affiliated vacation rental is serviced by a Mandarin Oriental-trained team with extensive local knowledge, and the properties are thoroughly reviewed and held to the same high standards as an actual Mandarin Oriental hotel.
Mandarin Oriental now has full ownership of its platform of luxurious vacation rental homes, which will be operated independently under the new name Mandarin Oriental Exceptional Homes. More announcements regarding Mandarin Oriental's expansion in the U.S. are expected, with the focus for Mandarin Oriental Exceptional Homes being on summer and winter leisure destinations in the Mediterranean, the Alps, and various locales in North America.
However, it's important to note that Mandarin Oriental's vacation rental platform is not the world's largest vacation rental platform, with only 25 properties as of launch in 2022. Rates for Mandarin Oriental-affiliated vacation rentals can be expensive, with Villa Infinity in Bel Air starting at $42,900 for four nights. Despite the high costs, Mandarin Oriental Exceptional Homes offers an exclusive and unmatched luxury experience for those seeking a unique and memorable vacation.
The expansion of Mandarin Oriental's Exceptional Homes platform aligns with its ambition to be at the forefront of the evolving luxury residential and private hospitality market. This move is a powerful new wave in luxury vacation rentals and branded residences, setting a new standard for luxury living experiences. Mandarin Oriental announced its plans for Mandarin Oriental Exceptional Homes at the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) in Cannes, France.
- Mandarin Oriental has named Brad Berry as Head of Residences & Homes and Philip Leighton as Head of Exceptional Homes, leveraging their expertise in branded residential development and luxury travel to guide the division's growth.
- The company aims to expand in key cities and resort destinations worldwide, with the addition of iconic properties such as the Château de la Croix des Gardes in France.
- Mandarin Oriental now operates its platform of luxurious vacation rental homes independently under the new name Mandarin Oriental Exceptional Homes, offering an unmatched luxury experience with amenities like private in-house chefs and daily housekeeping.
- With only 25 properties launched in 2022, Mandarin Oriental Exceptional Homes' rates can be expensive, but the exclusive and unique vacation experiences they offer are worth the investment for those seeking a memorable luxury getaway.
- Mandarin Oriental announced its plans for Mandarin Oriental Exceptional Homes at the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) in Cannes, France, reflecting the company's ambition to lead the evolving luxury residential and private hospitality market.
- As Mandarin Oriental Exceptional Homes continues to grow, future announcements are expected, especially in summer and winter leisure destinations in the Mediterranean, the Alps, and various locales in North America.
