Shangri-La and Raffles Hotel clap back at cheeky Mandarin Oriental, Singapore spot

Shangri-La Singapore and Raffles Hotel Singapore have responded to a cheeky post by Mandarin Oriental, Singapore asking the hotel to "take care" of its guests whilst it shutters its doors temporarily for a six-month long renovation project.

John Rice, the general manager at Shangri-La Singapore stars in a video response to the iconic hotel. The video, which was posted to Shangri-La Singapore's social media page, begins with Rice receiving the letter. He notes that he cannot read the handwriting of Philipp Knuepfer, Mandarin Oriental's general manager, but that he understands that the hotel wishes to entrust its guests with them as it embarks on a renovation project. 

Rice thanks Mandarin Oriental for asking them to take care of its guests but assures them that they can't guarantee that its guests will want to return to Mandarin Oriental after experiencing the Shangri-La.

"We would be thrilled to have your guests over at our tropical sanctuary while you refresh your home, and we'll take absolute great care of them. We just can't promise they will be back with you when you reopen," wrote the hotel in its caption. It ended by wishing the hotel a great refurbishment and said that it looked forward to seeing Mandarin Oriental's new look. 

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Adding to the social activation, Raffles Hotel Singapore jumped in on the conversation by responding to Mandarin Oriental's Instagram post. 

"Thank you for your heart-warming letter. It will be our honour to extend Raffles’ legendary service and gracious warmth to all your esteemed guests. We [are] looking forward to your refreshed return. Take care and see you soon," wrote Christian Westbeld, the managing director at Raffles Hotel Singapore.

Rice and Westbeld were responding to a campaign done by Mandarin Oriental and its creative agency, Forsman and Bodenfors (F&B), which was recently appointed by the hotel to handle all creative communications for the re-launch of the hotel. 

As an initial opening act, F&B ran a social and PR activation campaign which is a "charming little gesture" from Mandarin Oriental SG – featuring a "Letter to Neighbours where the hotel’s GM Philipp Knuepfer personally wrote to his peers at leading hotels across Singapore to temporarily take care of the Mandarin Oriental’s guests while the hotel takes a break. The short film featured Mandarin Oriental's GM penning and voicing the letter and its lead bellboy hand delivering copies of the letters across Singapore.

In the next couple of months, the hotel is expected to undergo a multi-million-dollar transformation which will include a complete redesign and refitting of the hotel’s interiors, from the grand lobby and the luxurious rooms to the award-winning food and beverage outlets.

Rice and Westbeld are not the only hoteliers to respond to the hotel's interesting social activation though. Since its launch, Mandarin Oriental has seen responses from hotels such as Fullerton Hotel Singapore. 

The country general manager of the Fullerton Hotel, Gino Tan said: "Thank you for entrusting us with your valued guests. Rest assured that they are in good hands with the #FullerExperience and we look forward to welcoming you back to the neighborhood with your fresh new look. Take care and see you real soon."

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