Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and The Oberoi Group Announce Strategic Alliance

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and The Oberoi Group have announced a strategic alliance that customers can take advantage of. The fresh new alliance will cooperate on designing experiences across the brands. Essentially this will provide the Mandarin group with a great range of properties across India, and the Oberoi group access to properties in major cities worldwide. The alliance will cover over 50 hotels. Member loyalty schemes from both hotel groups (Fans of Mandarin Oriental and Oberoi One) will enjoy reciprocal recognition.

Expect collaborations on:

• innovation & development
• culinary options
• wellness experiences
• sustainability
• collegiate learning

 “We are delighted to launch this innovative partnership with The Oberoi Group, setting the stage for us to push the boundaries of luxury hospitality. The Oberoi Group has a long established history and a wealth of expertise in providing exemplary service and I am confident that by working together both organisations will grow and create further differentiation in the industry that our guests will value. We look forward to working with The Oberoi Group to continue to develop and deepen this special partnership.”James Riley, Mandarin Oriental’s Group Chief Executive. 

James Riley, Mandarin Oriental’s Group Chief Executive

And from the Oberoi group in this mutual back slapping:

“Our brands complement each other extremely well as do our organisations values and culture. This exciting alliance will allow guests to experience new destinations and experiences in the legendary styles for which both companies are renowned.”

Vikram Oberoi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of EIH Limited

2PAXfly Takeout

This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.

The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.

The Oberoi group used to be everywhere. In fact, they even managed a hotel here in Adelaide once-upon-a-time. Now, their footprint is concentrated in India but with outposts in Egypt, Indonesia, Mauritius, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Mandarin Oriental, on the other hand, has hotels in most of the worlds most famous cities, from New York and Paris to Hong Kong and Bangkok.

The two brands have some luxury equivalence, which makes the pairing attractive for regular guests.

Both the recognition schemes work on privilege rather than the earn and burn points model of other programs. You get benefits like complimentary WiFi, welcome amenities, early or late check-in, room upgrades or dining and spa credits, or even complimentary breakfast.

On the other hand, with the price these chains charge, you would want some kind of loyalty benefit.

This alliance is a good thing, I think and will be mutually beneficial. Lets see how they develop this allliance, and where it takes them.