Background
The Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong is the most renowned and respected establishments in Hong Kong. This hotel has a rich history, having opened its doors in 1963 and quickly becoming known for its unparalleled level of excellence. As seasoned travelers, my partner and I had always dreamed of staying here.
Fortunately, our American Express card provided us with the opportunity to use the Fine Hotels + Resorts program, allowing us to book our stay here at the beginning of our Hong Kong adventure with extra benefits. We visited this hotel in November 2022, as Hong Kong was beginning to lift some of its Covid-19 restrictions.
At a glance
| Pros | Cons |
| Located in Central, the best district to stay in Hong Kong | Very expensive |
| Luxurious and vintage flare to the design | Older hotel |
| Very spacious rooms | |
| High English fluency in staff | |
| Impeccable staff service |
Where is it?
The hotel is located in the heart of Central, which is Hong Kong’s bustling business and commercial district. It is conveniently located within walking distance to several high-end shopping malls, the main ferry terminal, and the MTR subway station, providing easy access to different parts of the city. The SOHO district, known for its trendy bars and restaurants, is also within walking distance, offering guests a wide range of culinary options to explore. For those who enjoy local cuisine, the area surrounding the hotel is abundant with street food stalls and traditional restaurants, where visitors can sample some of Hong Kong’s most delicious eats.
What’s it like?
The hotel is a true gem that exudes a sense of nostalgia and grandeur from the moment you step in. While the exterior of the hotel may not be particularly impressive, the interior is breathtaking. It transports you back to the olden glamorous days of Hong Kong with vintage chandeliers, gold accented furniture, and black marble décor. It may sound tacky, but it was so upscale that we felt like we were in an old-school glamorous Hong Kong TVB film.
One of the highlights of our stay was being welcomed by the hotel’s signature scent, which was subtle but definitely elevated our experience. Despite being busy serving businessmen, families, and couples, the lobby was well-organized, and the staff was able to take care of every guest. It was truly an organized chaos!
The rooms
The rooms at this prestigious hotel in Hong Kong are definitely worth raving about. With 447 rooms, including 60 suites, most offering either magnificent harbor or city views, we were excited to experience our stay here. Thanks to our American Express Platinum credit card and their Fine Hotels + Resorts program, we were able to enjoy a premium experience with benefits such as room upgrade, daily breakfast, guaranteed 4 pm check-out, and hotel credit.
Originally booked for a Statue Square View King Room, we were upgraded to a City View King Room, which was incredibly spacious, with an extra-large king bed, a one-person working desk, and an en-suite bathroom with a shower and soaking tub. The room also had a unique feature, a little ‘butler’s window,’ where staff can leave items without disturbing guests. Overall, the room was clean, comfortable, and had all the amenities that we needed for our stay.
Amenities
The Mandarin Oriental is a true 5-star hotel, providing guests with access to spa and wellness services, a well-equipped gym, and a hair salon. While the hotel does have an indoor swimming pool, we found it to be on the small side and not up to the hotel’s standards. Unfortunately, due to Covid19 restrictions, we were not able to experience any of these amenities during our stay. However, the hotel’s concierge team was exceptional, providing us with information on healthcare guidelines and helping us book appointments for PCR tests. They went above and beyond to ensure our stay was as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Food and beverage
The Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong offers an impressive selection of dining options for guests to choose from during their stay. From Indian to Cantonese cuisine, pub-style atmosphere to fine European dining, guests can indulge in a variety of dishes. We had the opportunity to experience breakfast at the hotel thanks to our Fine Hotels + Resorts package. Due to health guidelines, we had to enjoy our breakfast as room service for the first two mornings of our stay, and we were not disappointed. The spread was incredible, with American, Japanese, and Hong Kong-style options. Our favourite was the Japanese-style breakfast. On our last morning, we had the chance to enjoy the breakfast buffet at the Clipper Lounge, which had a generous selection of food and delicacies, but it did not particularly stand out for us, especially from a 5-star hotel.
Verdict
The Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong was one of our most enjoyable 5-star hotel stay despite not being able to try all the amenities the hotel has to offer. We felt that our stay was more personalized as they tried their best to ensure we still enjoyed what the hotel can offer. Mandarin Oriental is a staple hotel in Hong Kong and I can definitely see why. It is historic, yet glamourous. The design is carefully crafted and did not give in to its original charm. I can see why guests continue to keep coming back despite the big price tag attached.
| Value | 8/10 |
| Location | 10/10 |
| Amenities | N/A (due to covid19 restrictions) |
| Services | 10/10 |
Hotel details:
Name: Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
Address: 5 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Phone number: +852 2522 0111
Email contact: mohkg-reservations@mohg.com
Hotel Website: https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/hong-kong
Price of our stay: $1148 USD, $382 USD per night
