Situated in the heart of Hong Kong’s financial district, the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong is among the most sought-after luxury hotels in the city.
This would be my first-ever stay at a Mandarin Oriental hotel, and it was only fitting for it to take place at the brand’s first and flagship hotel. What’s more, I was delighted to share the experience with my parents, who joined me for the night on a trip coming down from Beijing.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Booking
On average, the room rates for the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong fall around 4,000–5,000 HKD ($680–850 CAD) for a standard room. However, I was fortunate to secure a favourable travel agent rate for my stay.
If you’re considering a stay at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, you should know about Mandarin Oriental Fan Club , a preferred partner program that provides a suite of extra benefits for your stay at no additional cost.
Some of the benefits include $100 (USD) food & beverage or spa credit per room per stay, daily full breakfast for two, complimentary high-speed internet access, personalized welcome amenities and note, and a one-category room upgrade, subject to availability at the time of check-in.
All in all, you’ll pay the same as the public flexible rate, but you get more benefits by booking through Mandarin Oriental Fan Club.
Book with Prince of Travel and Mandarin Oriental Fan Club
Book a hotel stay with Prince of Travel through Mandarin Oriental Fan Club and enjoy exclusive additional benefits at no cost to you, including:
Daily American breakfast for two guests
Room upgrade, subject to availability at check-in
$100 (USD) food and beverage credit or spa credit
Welcome letter and amenity
Priority waitlist clearance and a no-walk policy
Third, Fourth, or Fifth Night Free at select properties
Book Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Location
The Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong is smack dab in the middle of the bustling Central district, right at the heart of Hong Kong’s financial centre. However, it shouldn’t be confused with The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, which lies just a few minutes to the south and is a newer “boutique designer” hotel.
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When the hotel opened in 1963, it used to be right up against the harbour of Hong Kong Island, and it was the tallest building in the area at the time. However, over the years, the island has expanded with reclaimed land, and new skyscrapers have popped up all around the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong.
Despite this, the hotel still holds a special place in Hong Kong’s history, despite its more relatively subdued presence today compared to 60 years ago.
If you’re keen to explore some of the city’s top attractions, the Mandarin Oriental is ideal for meandering around. City Hall and the Hong Kong Observation Wheel are just a quick 10-minute walk away, while the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is within a leisurely 25-minute stroll.
Moreover, you can hop on over to the Star Ferry, which is just a 10-minute journey north. From here, it’s a quick ride to the Hong Kong Museum of Art across the harbour.
Getting around the rest of Hong Kong is also a breeze, thanks to the hotel’s prime location right outside the exit of the Central MTR station.
If you’re coming from Hong Kong International Airport, taking the Airport Express train to Hong Kong Station is your best bet, and then it’s a quick journey of less than 10 minutes to get to the hotel.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Check-in
Upon arriving at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, the hotel has a rather modest glass and cement façade, which blends in among the other buildings in the area.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Exterior
The hotel’s main entrance faces Connaught Road on the north side of the building, although there’s another pedestrian entrance on the south side on Chater Road as well.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Entrance
As I entered the hotel, the staff warmly greeted me and promptly escorted me to the spacious and grandiose lobby.
With soaring ceilings, dazzling chandeliers, and a harmonious blend of deep reds and golds, the lobby pays homage to Mandarin Oriental’s Chinese roots. However, a clever interplay of bold floor patterns, rich colours, and textures imbues the space with a contemporary, eclectic feel.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Lobby lounge
I took note of the elaborate fan display here, which is a staple of every Mandarin Oriental property around the world.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Fan display
Vibrant plush couches and armchairs were dotted around, and a luxurious piano was being actively played, unlike many high-end hotel pianos that only serve as ornamental centrepieces.
To the right of the lobby, the check-in desks were located in a separate room. Here, an associate confirmed my stay in the Harbour View Room, one of the hotel’s entry-level rooms with a favourable view.
After providing additional information about the hotel’s dining venues and facilities, the associate handed me my keys, and I proceeded to make my way over to the elevators and up to my room.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Harbour View Room
Upon entering the room, I was greeted with a well-defined foyer that leads to the bedroom.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Harbour View Room foyer
The aesthetic has subtle modern touches but was largely understated, with subdued beige walls, carpeting, and wooden accents.
Continuing further into the bedroom, I came upon a set of twin beds positioned directly side by side. The beds are dressed up with two stuffed bunnies, which added a playful touch.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Harbour View Room bedroom
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Harbour View Room beds
On the opposite wall of the bed is a large armoire with a flat-screen TV. Set atop was a generous and thoughtful welcome amenity that included pastries, chocolate, and fresh juice.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Harbour View Room welcome gifts
Towards the far end of the room, our Harbour View Room had a nice little nook, where the daybed could be turned into a sofa bed. Since we were staying as a family of three, the sofa bed had been prepared beforehand in time for our arrival.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Harbour View Room daybed area
Additionally, the curtains here could be drawn, separating the two spaces. This was particularly useful on this stay, as I could get some work done in the night while my parents rested.
The desk served well as a workspace, with ample natural light filtering through the windows.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Harbour View Room desk & armchair
To the left of the foyer, there’s a closet that provides ample storage space; meanwhile, to the right is the bathroom, a standout feature of the room.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Harbour View Room bathroom
The bathroom had a unique layout, with the sink and vanity placed in the centre of the room, with the bathtub to one side and the shower and toilet to the other. The vanity mirror could then be rotated to be used from either side.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Harbour View Room vanity
There’s an opulent white marble bathtub, where a blind can be opened or closed for privacy, contrasting nicely against the dark marble that decorated the rest of the bathroom.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Harbour View Room bathtub
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Harbour View Room shower & toilet
The black and white contrast of the bathroom creates a striking visual effect. What’s more, the bath amenities at the hotel are supplied by Diptyque, adding to the high-end experience.
It’s worth noting that the standard rooms at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong are available with either twin beds or a king bed, and is otherwise identical in layout.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Harbour View Room with king bed
The hotel is a square-shaped building that boasts four views for its entry-level room type: south, west (City View), east (Statue Square view), and north (Harbour View), in rising order.
Here in the Harbour View Room, we enjoyed sweeping northerly views across Victoria Harbour and a direct view of the Hong Kong Observation Wheel, though not quite from as high of a vantage point as some of the newer hotels on Hong Kong Island.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Harbour View Room view
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Harbour View Room view
This particular room was one of the newer ones in the hotel, while other rooms may feature a more traditional design.
However, it’s evident that even the relatively newer rooms are now appearing slightly dated and could benefit from a refresh, which I hear is likely to take place in the near future.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Superior Room
The Superior Room is the hotel’s south-facing base-level room category. Here, you’ll notice a traditional style, such as floral carpets and the use of rich, dark red woods.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Superior Room bedroom
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Superior Room beds
There’s a cozy armchair nestled in the corner, while the spacious desk area features both an ergonomic and regular chair.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Superior Room desk & armchair
Opposite the beds, an armoire houses a wall-mounted television.
The bathroom complements the bedroom, incorporating classic elements such as dark red wood and black granite countertops. Here, a spacious marble bathtub and shower are positioned within a single wet room.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Superior Room bathroom
As for views, the Superior Room doesn’t have too much to offer as the lowest room type, overlooking the bustling streets of Central and the Prince’s Building across the street.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Harbour View Suite
The Harbour View Suite, spanning an impressive 775 square feet, retains the hotel’s old-school charm with a traditional jade-green finish and red lacquer and copper touches.
The suite offers a spacious separate living area, furnished with a large couch, armchair, and a flat-screen TV. Positioned by the window, a desk with a regular chair and an ergonomic desk provide a comfortable workspace.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Harbour View Suite living room
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Harbour View Suite desk & armchair
The bedroom is sophisticated, with a traditional deep red accent wall and dark wood highlights. Additionally, the king bed is set with numerous decorative pillows.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Harbour View Suite bedroom
The bathroom is also quite impressive, boasting a large freestanding bathtub situated in the middle of the space, which offers breathtaking views of the city as you unwind.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – Harbour View Suite bathroom
Of course, you’ll also be able to take in the Victoria Harbour and city skyline from the Harbour View Suite.
Lastly, the suites at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong come with Club Lounge access, providing complimentary refreshments and snacks throughout the day.
While the hotel’s history and iconic status are certainly impressive, I’d say that the rooms’ interior décor isn’t currently at the forefront of the hotel’s appeal, and could definitely benefit from any upcoming refurbishments that may be planned.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – The Mandarin Club
As part of my stay, I enjoyed access to The Mandarin Club, the hotel’s executive lounge on the 23rd floor.
The newly renovated space boasts an exquisite sleek design, complete with a stunning shattered floor effect.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – The Mandarin Club entrance
Upon entry is a reception area, where an associate will confirm access to the lounge. Guests who book a club room or suite have access to The Mandarin Club; otherwise, access may also be purchased as a supplement to a regular room rate, based on availability.
The dining area is impressive, and features plush furnishings in shades of pink, purple, and magenta. The separate seating areas are thoughtfully arranged by the windows, offering panoramic views.
Hopefully, this newly renovated style is a tasteful preview of what we might expect to see from the hotel’s rooms during the next round of renovations.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – The Mandarin Club seating
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – The Mandarin Club seating
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – The Mandarin Club seating
The Mandarin Club offers a variety of dining options, including a breakfast buffet, afternoon tea, and evening hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. During our visit, the breakfast buffet was laid out nicely on a middle island.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – The Mandarin Club breakfast buffet
If you have a sweet tooth, there are ample sweets and pastries to indulge in.
For those who prefer something savoury, there are potato cakes, grilled tomatoes, bacon, and sausage.
If you’re looking for a healthier option, yogurt and cereal are also available.
Lastly, for something a little more filling, you can head to the made-to-order noodle bar. Otherwise, hot ite
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