Review of Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong

Located on Connaught Road right in the heart of Hong Kong’s Central, the hotel is flanked by some of the city’s most recognisable buildings like Norman Foster’s HSBC building, I.M. Pei’s Bank of China skyscraper and the colonial Legislative Council Building. The hotel is connected by air-conditioned walkway to Central’s premier business addresses. 

Part of Asia’s most photographed cityscape, the location alone is a reason to book a stay at this historic hotel, with world class shopping on the doorstep and easy access to trams, the Star Ferry at Victoria Harbour and the Central MTR subway station and Airport Express train.

The hotel is located centrally and within walking distance to museums, shopping malls and many other Hong Kong delights. For shoppers, the nearby Prince’s Building houses a collection of boutiques and lifestyle shops. Highlights include the smart book and stationery emporium, Bookazine; Blanc de Chine, a purveyor of premium, contemporary clothing with a Chinese aesthetic; jeweller Wai Kee, one of Hong Kong’s oldest; and Ascot Chang, a Shanghainese bespoke men’s tailor. Just behind Queen’s Road Central, Lan Street is carving out a reputation as a high-end shopping street. Visit Christian Louboutin’s flagship store (or gaze at the playful window displays); Italian shoemaker Gianvito Rossi and the Central branch of D-Mop – for contemporary streetwear and cutting-edge fashion.

Hong Kong’s city centre is brimming with first-class art galleries, principally housed in the white-fronted Pedder Building. The imposing Agricultural Bank of China, the ground floor of which is dedicated to the contemporary gallery is worth a visit – as is the White Cube gallery. 

Hong Kong’s nautical heritage is mapped out at the Maritime Museum, while the oldest colonial building in the city, Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware is another nearby gem. It was once the office and residence of the commander of the British Forces in Hong Kong, and alongside its exhibitions, the museum holds demonstrations, tea-appreciation classes, and lectures to promote China’s tea-drinking culture.

The Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong is 36 kilometres (22.5 miles) from Hong Kong International Airport which sits on Chek Lap Kok island.

Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong boasts 499 rooms, including 62 suites, arranged over 25 floors, with views over Victoria Harbour, Kowloon (Tsim Sha Sui) and the rest of mainland Hong Kong’s glittering city skyline.

Guestrooms are the last word in luxury with leather armchairs, plush drapes, soft carpets, and large wooden beds with luxury linen as standard.  The beds are swathed in Egyptian cotton linens and completed with pillows in a variety of shapes and sizes. A pillow menu is on offer and there is even a NASA-developed pillow for backpain sufferers. Mini bars are stocked with Champagne and coconut water and each room sports a Nespresso machine.

The hotel offers stunning, designed bathrooms complete with walk-in showers and soaking bathtubs. Monochrome marble with black tiles are used throughout and dual-head showers are standard. Designer bathroom amenities are by Diptyque in rooms and Jo Malone in suites.

Free Wi-Fi is standard and in-room dining has options from the hotel’s own award-winning restaurants. “Study Rooms” are entry-level with city views, comfortable beds, a walk-in shower and are 32 square metres in area. The largest rooms are the Harbour View catergory, which are 40 square metres in area.

Guests can book a Club Room for access to The Mandarin Club, an all-day retreat offering a host of exclusive privileges, bespoke services, and culinary delights.

The Lichfield suite was inspired by Lord Patrick Lichfield, the celebrated photographer behind Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s award-winning global advertising campaign, ‘He’s a Fan/She’s a Fan’. His photographs hang on the walls of the unique suite. It is decorated in suitably ‘studio’ monochrome shades with splashes of red.

The hotel offers “discreet and flawless service” that is very Mandarin Oriental and internationally recognised. 

Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong boasts wonderful facilities including the luxurious Club Lounge, a Shanghai-inspired holistic spa, an 18-metre heated indoor swimming pool perfect for a refreshing dip to beat the city heat and a 24-hour fitness centre.

Mandarin Spa is a haven of Zen-like tranquillity with nine treatment rooms including two couples suites complete with private vitality pools, a Tea Lounge to sip infusions post-treatment, a Chinese herbal steam room, a Jacuzzi (men only), a Tepidarium (women only), sauna and Spa boutique. The spa offers a holistic experience. The signature ‘Time Ritual’ encourages guests to book time rather than specific treatments, services are tailor-made and highly trained therapists are at hand to advise. This ‘spa concierge’ service provides guests with a better understanding of their health issues and how best to address them therapeutically with nutrition counselling, yoga, tai-chi, meditation, beauty, and relaxation therapies.  Mandarin Oriental’s signature spa product line was developed specifically for the group by Aromatherapy Associates. The hotel also offers a hair salon, a barber, and a Shanghainese pedicure station.

Children or ‘Young Fans’ are well catered for with surprise gifts for under-12s, colouring books and pens, rollaway beds, anything babies might need including bottles and bath thermometers and special dishes for smaller appetites with Mini MO children’s menu.

The hotel is fully accessible for disabled guests. Pets are not welcome, but service animals are – subject to prior permission. 

The hotel’s plush rooms and suites offer magnificent views of the famous Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong’s skyline. The style blends tradition with “old world” mixing hardwood with glossy black marble and fine silk and as one of the first luxury hotels in the city, embracing its history in Asian art works and flourishes. Handsome rooms channel old school glamour while offering every contemporary creature comfort.

Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong is a dining hub for guests and locals, with a collection of nine restaurants and bars, including two which hold Michelin stars.

Michelin-starred restaurant Mandarin Grill + Bar offers grill specialities, with a dash of modern flair. Expect progressive gastronomy in this chic dining room designed by Sir Terence Conran, with a show-stopping scallop-inspired ceiling, Gerard D’A Henderson paintings and a central banquette. Chef Patrick Leono has brought a decade of experience in some of London’s top restaurants to the hotel. 

Man Wah – which also holds a Michelin-star - is the hotel’s beautiful gem of a dining room, situated on the 25th floor. Man Wah offers outstanding Cantonese cuisine from the playbook of Executive Chinese Chef Wing-Keung Wong. His mission is to deepen appreciation for Cantonese cuisine by playing tribute to the classics and delighting guests with forgotten delicacies. Recently redecorated, the restaurant is refined in royal blues and gold with hand-painted wallpapers and fabulous views of the harbour and city skyline. Diners can opt for wine or tea pairing.

The Krug Room – the only one in the world – is one of the city’s most opulent dining experiences, created in partnership with Krug Champagne. Executive Chef Robin Zavou’s brilliantly creative cuisine pairs perfectly with this most prestigious Champagne and the room is inspired by vintage train travel.

Serving a popular international buffet at breakfast, lunch and dinner, Clipper Lounge is legendary, famed for its afternoon tea, including finger sandwiches, sweets, scones, signature homemade rose-petal jam and seasonal themed teas.

Café Causette offers contemporary all-day dining with lively show-kitchens serving Asian and international dishes.

The Chinnery has a club-like setting with deep upholstered armchairs, green leather banquettes and warm wood panelling. The Chinnery is home to one of the most extensive collections of single malt whiskys in Asia - which can be quaffed alongside traditional British dishes – like fish & chips. Fish & chips paired with a 21-year old single malt – a delight. 

Captain’s Bar is Central’s most popular meeting spot for afterwork drinks. This lively watering hole offers Indian snacks, which guests can enjoy while listening to live jazz (Tuesday to Saturday).

The Mandarin Cake Shop is a sweet stop for legendary home-made chocolates, cakes and breads, and the ideal venue for a light breakfast or an afternoon coffee. A highlight is the decadent hot chocolate that comes with a chocolate spoon.

The Aubrey is an eccentric Japanese izakaya on the hotel’s iconic 25th floor. This Japanese “tapas” restaurant is a long-time city favourite and boasts one of the most awe-inspiring dining locations in Hong Kong. Now the space encompasses three distinctive bar experiences where guests are taken on a journey of Japanese craft cocktails, whiskeys and cuisine.

The hotel continually implements initiatives including eliminating single-use plastic by March 2021, using biodegradable cling film and reusable containers in the kitchens and Vegware or compostable packaging for takeaway food items. The Nordaq FRESH filtration system allows the hotel to filter its own water in-house for banqueting events and functions. Infused water dispensers are dotted throughout the Wellness areas and stainless-steel water bottles are provided. The Spa also offers reusable totes and dry bags for kit.

Plans are in the works with local suppliers for responsible procurement, inviting partners to adhere to an agreed code of conduct and operate sustainable business practices wherever possible.

Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong also supports underprivileged communities by donating used soap for recycling and distributing to those in need around the world, particularly in Asia. ‘Soap Cycling’ provides much-needed hygiene products necessary to foster sanitary living conditions.

The hotel also supports sustainable paths to economic equality, partnering with a social enterprise who creates jobs for refugees living in a camp in Jordan. Guests can be part of this meaningful cause by purchasing handcrafted tote bags created by these refugees.