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Luxury travel inspiration from the Asia-Pacific region

DestinAsian

<h2><strong>Why stay?</strong></h2>
<p>No other Hong Kong Island hotel can claim the pedigree of the Mandarin. A revered five-star property that welcomed its first guests back in 1963, when the city’s decades-long economic miracle was only just taking off, the MO stood out for its exuberant modern style, impeccable service, and creature comforts (it was the first hotel in Asia to feature a bathtub in each room). That winning combination has attracted a long list of distinguished guests over the years: think heads of state, Thai and European royalty—among them repeat visitor Princess Diana—as well as big-name stars from Maria Callas to John Lennon, David Bowie to Tom Cruise. Given its longstanding role as a social hub and a place to mark special occasions, the first-ever Mandarin also holds precious memories for Hongkongers young and old (this writer included).</p>
<h3><strong>The neighborhood</strong></h3>
<p>Another of the MO’s drawcards is its superb location in the beating heart of Central, the main financial district and a fascinating area whose back streets brim with old-school stores, eateries, and market stalls. The hotel looks out over the trees and fountains of Statue Square, an open space flanked by Lord Norman Foster’s futuristic HSBC Hong Kong headquarters along with the neoclassical Court of Final Appeal and Cenotaph war memorial. An air-conditioned footbridge connects the mezzanine level to the retail podium of Prince’s Building, leading to an extensive network of elevated walkways that stretches all the way to the relocated Star Ferry pier (until 2006, it stood right across the street on Edinburgh Place). Guests at the Mandarin will find themselves a few paces from the Central MTR subway station and a stop for Hong Kong’s beloved double-decker trams.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-136221 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-Lobby-.jpg" alt="Inside the double-height upper lobby at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-Lobby-.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-Lobby--300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-Lobby--1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-Lobby--768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></p>
<h4><strong>The feel</strong></h4>
<p>The global flagship of the Mandarin Oriental brand exudes a charm all its own. Behind the modernist facade of the 25-story tower, traditional and contemporary Chinese elements are overlaid on a timeless British canvas. Multiple refurbishments have introduced newer interpretations of the original interiors by Don Ashton, a high-profile art director who worked on Hollywood hits like <em>Bridge Over the River Kwai</em>. Ashton’s touch is still palpable in the sensitively updated lobby, a retro-chic haven of richly veined marble in black and gold, antique Chinese sculptures, chandeliers with oversize tassels, and collages of gilded and elaborately carved door panels sourced from around the region. The lobby’s two-story depiction of three Chinese goddesses finished in gold leaf were the work of Eurasian artist Gerard d’Alton Henderson, who created 15 large-scale murals for the hotel.</p>
<h5><strong>Guest quarters</strong></h5>
<p>Dens of classic luxury, the 447 rooms and suites are kept in tip-top shape—so much so that you may not believe they were the product of a 2006 renovation. Some of the standard and Club rooms come with vistas of Victoria Harbour, while others face Statue Square and I.M. Pei’s landmark Bank of China Tower. If you want to see both, book a 72-square-meter Harbour View suite in the northeast corner of the building. These also have a capacious bathroom with a standalone oval tub big enough for two, his and hers vanities, and a dual-head Grohe shower. Diptyque toiletries and an impressive pillow menu are provided in all accommodations. Depending on the room type, decorative touches might include ceramic figurines, silk bed runners and wall panels by Jim Thompson, and ice buckets modeled after ancient Chinese bronze vessels known as <em>ding</em>.</p>
<h6><strong>Food and drink</strong></h6>
<p>Popular with the business crowd, Mandarin Grill + Bar has held onto a Michelin star since 2010. Its mod-European menu features delights such as smoked beetroot tartare; ocean-fresh oysters from France, England, and Canada’s West Coast; and prime striploin steak, wet-aged for maximum tenderness. Perfectly fried hand-cut chips are an ideal accompaniment. The MO’s other Michelin-starred restaurant is 25th-floor <a href="https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/hong-kong/victoria-harbour/dine/man-wah?DestinAsian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Man Wah</a>, where terrific Cantonese cuisine comes with a side of city and harbor views. Across the hallway lies The Aubrey, a maximalist Japanese <em>izakaya</em> whose bartenders shake up inventive <em>shochu</em>-based cocktails. (Try the well-rounded Rokku: barley shochu, Bourbon, pineapple juice, shiso, and citrus.) Sharing plates like crispy <em>agedashi</em> tofu and mushroom broth in a hot stone bowl, barbecued beef rib with marinated cucumber slices, and asparagus-and-avocado sushi rolls tickle the palate. Resembling a gentlemen’s club, The Chinnery specializes in British classics, curries, and single malt whiskies. Hidden behind it is The Krug Room, an ultra-exclusive spot for seasonal tasting menus paired with Krug champagnes. On the mezzanine level, Clipper Lounge does sumptuous buffets and afternoon tea sets, Café Causette serves Western and Asian favorites, and The Mandarin Cake Shop has a small seating area for tucking into delicate almond croissants, a mini-cheesecake, or scones with homemade rose-petal jam. Off the lobby, the back-to-the-sixties Captain’s Bar has long been a go-to for live jazz and draft beer in silver tankards.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-136215 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-The-Aubrey-Omakase-Platter.jpg" alt="An omakase platter at The Aubrey, located on the 25th floor of Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-The-Aubrey-Omakase-Platter.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-The-Aubrey-Omakase-Platter-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-The-Aubrey-Omakase-Platter-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-The-Aubrey-Omakase-Platter-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></p>
<h6><strong>Wellness factor</strong></h6>
<p>Facilities at The Mandarin Spa, which covers three floors, range from a tea lounge and Chinese herbal steam room to tepidariums and a purpose-built bed for Japanese hot-stone therapy. (There’s also an indoor pool and gym, plus a dedicated hair salon and barber.) The 90-minute Intelligent Movement treatment is ideal for anyone who spends most of their working hours bound to a desk. Skillful strokes and a hot compress are complemented by the use of high-tech Hyperbolt massage gun to relieve tension and pain in deeper muscles, and a subsequent facial massage will send you to la-la land in no time.</p>
<h6><strong>Family matters</strong></h6>
<p>A fourth-floor suite and guest room have been converted into a kids’ club for guests aged three to 12—it comes equipped with Xbox consoles and board games. Seasonal children’s activities are aligned with major festivals and the summer holidays. The little ones are made to feel special with kid-size robes and matching slippers, a stuffed toy, and their own toiletries. Clipper Lounge and Café Causette offer a children’s menu, in addition to activity packs and coloring pencils at mealtimes.</p>
<h6><strong>Sustainability cred</strong></h6>
<p>The Mandarin Oriental steers clear of single-use plastics in its operations, and takes extra care when sourcing seafood, coffee, tea, and paper. Targets aimed at reducing waste and energy use are set every month. Giving back to the community is encouraged: staff can volunteer during work days and receive full salaries. The hotel supports and works with local charities such as Redress, which upcycles clothes and champions eco-conscious fashion designers, and Blossom Minds—hence the embroidered souvenirs made by young adults with special needs at the lobby-level gift shop.</p>
<h6><strong>What else?</strong></h6>
<p>Unveiled in early 2021, The Mandarin Club is a gorgeous, residential-style executive lounge that occupies nearly the entire 23rd floor. Hong Kong–themed tomes on the shelves, framed artworks, and plush armchairs give the place the air of a reading room. In the mornings, the quiet dining area promises a semi-buffet breakfast complete with a selection of hot à la carte items, be it assorted dim sum dumplings, Eggs royale, or wonton noodles. Afternoon tea and evening cocktails are offered, too. Guests wishing to delve into the MO’s history should book a complimentary half-hour hotel heritage tour.</p>
<p>Reviewed by <strong>James Louie</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/hong-kong/victoria-harbour" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mandarinoriental.com</a><br />
+852 2522 0111<br />
<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/Rp2TNnHYcfR6FieN7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">5 Connaught Rd. Central, Hong Kong</a></p>


Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong stands at the heart of the Central district.

Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong

Hong Kong Hotels

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