Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Hotel Review

Hong Kong is a city of two dramatically different halves. On one side of Victoria Harbour lies Kowloon – classic China with irrepressible crowds, night markets and blazing neon signs; while on the other is Hong Kong Island, the city’s modern heart, with on-trend bars, restaurants, galleries and boutiques. And while Mandarin Oriental is located in the city’s contemporary quarter, it features all the hallmarks of a classic luxury hotel – acres of gleaming marble, Michelin-starred dining and sumptuously decorated rooms, many with harbour views. Throw in a heavenly spa and you’ll have everything you need to relax and revive in one of the world’s busiest cities.

The location

About 40 minutes’ drive from the international airport, the hotel is located in Hong Kong Island’s Central district. The Lan Kwai Fong precinct’s dizzying nightlife scene is within walking distance, while Victoria Peak – one of the city’s top tourism hotspots, offering sweeping views of Hong Kong – is about 20 minutes’ drive away.

The rooms

Walnut panels, vintage artworks, silk-clad walls and marble bathrooms conspire to give the guestrooms the sort of sumptuousness one has come to expect of Mandarin Oriental properties around the world. At 32 square metres, the hotel’s smallest room (Study) is sufficiently large and decadently furnished but if you want to amp up the luxe factor, opt for Harbour View Room with windows that overlook the Hong Kong Observation Wheel and harbour, plus a separate sitting area that can be curtained off from the bedroom.

Food and drinks

From Michelin-starred Mandarin Bar & Grill to cocktail haven Captain’s Bar, there’s no shortage of excellent eating and drinking establishments within the hotel. In fact, there are 10. But if you really want to raise the bar, make a beeline for the two-Michelin-starred Amber restaurant (pictured above), located in the hotel’s sister property, Mandarin Oriental Landmark, about five minutes’ walk away. Just make sure to set aside an entire evening because that’s how long it’ll take for you to work your way through French chef Richard Ekkebus’s 10-course dégustation menu.

For business travellers

The hotel offers a full suite of features for corporate gatherings, including state-of-the-art technology, event planners and a bevy of function rooms and conferences spaces. The business centre has three large meeting rooms, plus high-speed internet and printer facilities.

For wellness travellers

There’s a swimming pool (with dedicated family hours) and a sprawling fitness centre with Technogym equipment. But it is the spa – located on the fourth floor – which takes the wellness cake. Here, treatments range from age-repair therapies to jet lag-alleviating rituals. Our pick is Deep Sleep, a 90-minute full-body massage designed to make even the worst insomniacs snooze.

The fab factor

Don’t forget to drop it at the Mandarin Cake Shop, responsible for exquisite flaky, creamy, gooey treats.

SEE ALSO: A Food-Lovers’ Guide to Hong Kong