Hotel reviews: Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong

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• Overview
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In 1963, the Mandarin Oriental was the first grand hotel to take up residence on Hong Kong Island. As a consequence, celebrities from the 60s and 70s would stay at the Mandarin, and, still today, stars and kings come to the Mandarin Oriental. Guests are greeted as soon as they arrive at the airport and 60% of them are business guests. The hotel shut down for a whole year to be entirely renovated and the result is wonderful. Remember to book a table at one of the hotel's restaurants if you want to be sure to eat there, especially for the evening! Some of the staff have been working here for over 30 years.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

The Mandarin Oriental re-opened its doors in 2007 after a year of renovation, and it has remained faithful to its legendary mark of history, luxury and sophistication. The deity present in the elongated lobby is something to take note of as it is said that it is this which has always protected the hotel. Archways enable guests to walk directly from the hotel lobby to the luxury shopping galleries, with The Landmark being the closest one. Indeed, it is a very chic thing to do to be seen having an afternoon tea in the 'Hong Kong living room'. The hotel has a total of 10 restaurants and bars. Its immaculate gym is an elongated hall with bay windows overlooking the city and state-of-the-art apparatus - one part of the gym is dedicated to pilates. As for the hotel spa, it boasts eight treatment rooms and its traditional Chinese treatments are particularly renowned and very in demand. You will also find traditional ayurvedic treatments, which is quite rare in Hong Kong; the superb treatment table is made of Neem wood - a sacred tree in India. There is also a (glass) jacuzzi for couples.

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Black-walled corridors lead the way to 502 rooms and suites, which were entirely transformed when the hotel was renovated in 2006. The main difference between the various rooms of the hotel is the view, as well as the design of the place (two types), as the size and facilities are identical. The 'veranda style' rooms have a view of the harbour; you should therefore get some binoculars to be able to appreciate the landscape more. The other style is known as 'Taipan', referring to the name of the leader of former Chinese trading companies. Everything here is very carefully chosen and placed. Here are a few examples of the sophistication that you will find at the Mandarin: the wooden furniture is made to look like century-old travelling cases, there are lowered shutters on the bay windows, there is an admirable selection of tea, and an unusual black marble bathroom with a small television screen inserted into its mirror. The equipment includes a bathtub and a separate shower, as well as 'Ferragama' hospitality products. A wide plasma screen hangs on the wall opposite the very comfortable bed, and, so as not to be disturbed, guests can leave their shoes and clothes in the 'valet box' to be polished and laundered. The 68 suites of the hotel are all meant to re-create a homely feeling. Colours and textures are very carefully chosen - the walls, for example, are upholstered with red silk: beautiful and very cosy! You will also see plenty of wood as part of the interior decor, even on the ceiling. Each room is provided with three large television sets, two of which have a plasma screen. The bathrooms also have a beautiful view and are equipped with an oval bathtub in the centre of the room facing the window with a black marble sink unit and washbasin on either side of it. The six 'Mandarin' suites are all different. Room service and a butler are available 24-hours a day.

• Location
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• Overview
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• Beach
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The hotel has a total of 10 restaurants and bars. Pierre Gagnaire's restaurant (an international Michelin-starred chef) set up residence here in 2007 and it serves French contemporary cuisine. The menu is actually adapted to the restaurant's location - in Hong Kong, for example, more seafood is served than anywhere else in the world. The menu changes with every season and a set menu gives everyone the chance to taste its refined gastronomy with two dishes for just HK$360. Some tasting menus are organised around one theme, truffles for example, and some of the meals are typically French, such as the one called 'France as seen by Pierre Gagnaire'. The setting is very contemporary, entirely decorated in black, and its modernity contrasts dramatically with the very traditional Man Won restaurant where Cantonese cuisine has been served since 1964. The setting there is heart-warming, decorated as it is with dark wood and shades of pink. Both restaurants have bay windows. The cosy 'Chinnery' holds over 120 different types of whisky, in a very typical British setting. Another fascinating place is the Mandarin Oriental's secret restaurant. It can host anything from 2 to 12 guests around a beautiful rectangular table, but we recommend you book this table at least a day in advance! In this room, known as the 'Krug room' the guests do not know what they are going to eat, as the chef is free to prepare whatever he or she wants. The partition between the restaurant and the kitchen is made of glass which means that guests are able to see what is being prepared by the chef and his team. Even those who are sitting next to the window can see what is going on as there is a large mirror placed there for that purpose. The crockery and cutlery here has been designed by Hermès exclusively for this very special place. The hotel has the largest Krug champagne collection after that of France. At the head of the different restaurants is an international chef of German nationality, who has trained with Ducasse and at elBulli, and whose job is to make sure that the quality of the cuisine is always excellent. As for the French sommelier in charge of the very elaborate wine selection, he is very aware of new tendencies.