Twelve new homes join a growing portfolio
Mandarin Oriental announced on 9 October 2026 that its Exceptional Homes programme has added twelve residences. The collection now comprises 43 homes across 18 destinations, extending the group’s offer beyond conventional hotels and resorts into exclusive-use properties. The development is significant for travellers who want to organise an entire stay around private accommodation rather than a succession of restaurant and lobby appointments.
The announcement identifies new locations including Lopud in Croatia, Porto Heli in Greece, Florence, Chianti, Sardinia and Marbella, as well as additions in Puglia and on the French Riviera. It is a portfolio expansion rather than a promise that every property has the same facilities or booking conditions. Guests should examine each residence individually before comparing it with a private villa elsewhere.
Mediterranean settings offer different kinds of privacy
LOPUD 1483 introduces the Croatian island of Lopud to the Exceptional Homes map. An island retreat can make the residence itself central to the holiday, but it also creates planning decisions about transfers, baggage, provisioning and excursions. Guests accustomed to arriving directly at a metropolitan hotel should clarify how local transport operates and whether services require advance arrangement.
Porto Heli extends the portfolio into an established Greek coastal escape. A stay here might involve secluded days, local restaurants and water-based excursions, yet the exact possibilities depend on a property’s location and contractual inclusions. Boat transfers or yacht arrangements should never be assumed from a listing that simply describes a residence as coastal. Specific logistics are best settled before a booking.
Florence and Chianti widen the appeal
In Florence, Villa Petrucci and Dimora Ghirlandaio bring a residential option to a destination known for galleries, architecture and historic streets. Villa Petrucci is described as a private retreat with panoramic views of the city. A group staying in a residence can combine independent schedules with shared meals, especially when not everyone wishes to spend the entire day visiting museums.
Chianti offers a contrasting countryside rhythm. A private home may support slower exploration of vineyards, local food and villages while leaving more time for rest between excursions. Families travelling together should consider the number and arrangement of bedrooms, access to outdoor spaces and whether the house can accommodate different needs without compromising privacy. Beautiful photographs are only a starting point.
What serviced homes must deliver
The value of a hotel-associated home collection lies partly in its potential to combine residential freedom with organised hospitality. Guests might expect assistance coordinating cleaning, meals, transport and activities, but the amount of support can vary substantially. It is essential to distinguish services included in the rental price from those available at extra cost or only on request.
Minimum stays, cancellation provisions, local taxes and staffing arrangements can affect the overall cost more than the advertised nightly rate suggests. Families should also ask about child safety, accessibility, security and arrangements for arrivals outside normal hours. A carefully chosen residence feels effortless when those questions have been answered rather than left until arrival day.
A new chapter for a hotel brand
Mandarin Oriental’s Exceptional Homes collection broadens the meaning of the group’s hospitality promise by placing the guest in an exclusive-use dwelling. The launch of additional destinations suggests that private accommodation has become an important complement to the brand’s established hotels. Travellers can use the collection to spend longer in one location without giving up the possibility of curated assistance.
The official release establishes the new total of 43 homes and the locations added in October. It does not establish that every residence is suitable for every group or that all twelve will be available on a requested date. The sensible approach is to verify the individual listing, confirm a full quotation and choose a property around the intended style of travel.
