Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong

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Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong Chinese: 香港文華東方酒店
Hotel facts and statistics
Location	5 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong
Opening date	1963
Developer	Hong Kong Land
Management	Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
No. of restaurants	10
No. of rooms	501
of which suites	67
No. of floors	25
Website	mandarinoriental.com/hongkong
Footnotes
entire renovation completed September 2006

The Mandarin Oriental (traditional Chinese: 香港文華東方酒店) is a luxury hotel ^[1][2][3]in Hong Kong, it is the first and flagship hotel of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.^[4][5]

The property opened in September 1963^[6][7] as The Mandarin, located at 5 in Connaught Road Central (Hong Kong Island), which is Hong Kong’s financial and banking district.^[8]

Contents 1 History 2 Restaurants and Bars 3 Spa and wellness 4 Incidents 5 Gallery 6 External links 7 References

[edit] History

The hotel, completed in 1963, was built on the site of the pre-war colonial Queen's Building.^[9][10] Although the hotel was criticised by Hong Kong and Macau residents during the early days of operation as it was boring an extravagant character and identity which quickly established itself as an legend in Hong Kong.^[11][12] The hotel has been used by diplomats, politicians and celebrities such as Kate Moss, Kevin Costner, Tom Cruise, The Sultan of Brunei, the late Princess Diana^[13], former US Presidents Nixon, Ford, Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush^[14][15][16]

After an entire renovation which saw the hotel closed for nine months as interior walls and fixtures were removed and rebuilt, the hotel re-opened on 28 September 2006^[17][18] The renovated hotel features 501 guestrooms and suites, with guest-centred technology, ten restaurants and bars, a holistic spa, traditional barber, hair salon, 24-hour fitness facility with indoor swimming pool and banqueting facilities.^[19][20] Following the renovation, the guest room balconies were enclosed and incorporated into the rooms.

[edit] Restaurants and Bars

• Mandarin Grill + Bar

A greatly appreciated dining room in Hong Kong^[21][22] which serves contemporary European cuisine created by Executive Chef Uwe Opocensky.^[23] The dining room's views stand over Statue Square and the Legislative Council building.^[24] The Mandarin Grill has a reputation as a place where the city’s “power players” dine.^[25]

Sir Terence Conran oversaw the 2006 refurbishment of the restaurant, introducing contemporary design with the club-like traditions of its past, the formerly rather dark and masculine grill is now light, airy and buzzy. During the renovation a new oyster bar called The Crustacea Bar was added which was originally named The Saddle & Sirloin.

• Pierre

A concept by 3-star Michelin Chef Pierre Gagnaire, noted for his intricate and elaborate dishes which can challenge the diner as well as delight.^{[26][27][28][29]} The Chef returns to his restaurant in Hong Kong which was awarded one Michelin star in December 2008^[30], four times each year. Pierre is located atop the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, on the 25th floor with astounding view of Victoria harbour. The restaurant replaced Vong (1997-2005) post-renovation which had replaced Pierrot (1979-1997), a modern French Restaurant. Pierre was recently the venue for the launch of what has been described as the “World’s First All-Synthetic Meal” by Pierre Gagnaire and Herve This on 20 April 2009.^[31][32][33]

• Man Wah

This is the hotel’s signature Chinese restaurant located atop the hotel on the 25th floor. The restaurant was renovated in 2006^[34] with the objective to reflect the way it looked when it opened in 1968. The décor is inspired by 1930s Shanghai – a mixture of local rosewood with pink table décor. Man Wah replaced The Button Supper Club in 1968.^[35][36][37]

• Krug Room

The restaurant is kept secret in the hotel’s kitchens where a maximum of twelve guests can see the Executive Chef, Uwe Opocensky, preparing the dishes through the kitchen windows then in front of them. The dining room was created in partnership with the well-known Champagne Krug with the largest collection of Krug Champagnes in Asia. Every menu is tailor-made and can vary from ten to fourteen courses.^{[38][39][40][41]}

• The Chinnery

The Chinnery Bar was originally opened as a Gentleman’s club in 1963 and was not opened to women until 1990. The Chinnery is named after the famous British artist George Chinnery, who lived and painted in Hong Kong and Macau in the 1899’s. Located on the 1st floor of the hotel, the restaurant is decorated with numerous reproductions of George Chinnery work on the walls.^[42] The restaurant serves draught beers with a traditional British menu with curries. A collection of over 120 bottles of single-malt whiskeys stands behind the bar.^[43][44][45]

• Clipper Lounge

This is the place for breakfast, lunch, dinner buffets and afternoon teas with views overlooking Statue Square. Fashion designer host shows with afternoon tea four times a year.^[46][47] In 2008, the Clipper Lounge introduced a chocolate afternoon tea taking place every weekend.^[48][49][50]

• Café Causette

A relaxing café which show kitchen alongside The Mandarin Cake Shop. Formerly known as The Café it reverted to its original name Café Causette following the 2006 renovation. Located on the mezzanine floor, the restaurant is an all-day dining venue with views of Chater Street and the Legislative Council. Café Causette serves a wide variety of both Asian and international dishes.^[51]

• The Mandarin Cake Shop

The Cake Shop serves homemade chocolate, cakes and breads made by cake artist, Bob Tay, along with delicious hot chocolate and coffee. Products can be taken as takeaway or at the Mandarin Cake Shop ideal for quick coffees and afternoon hot chocolates.^[52] One of its products, the rose-petal jam, is made to a secret recipe and shipped around the world. ^[53][54] The shop is also noted for its glass displays of custom-made cakes.^[55][56]

• Captain's Bar

The bar serves cocktails at night with live jazz and blues music provided by the in-house band.^[57] Regulars can keep their own bottles behind the bar or drink beer from a silver tankard engraved with their name.^[58]

• M Bar

Stylish bar atop the hotel which serves Chinese Tapas from Man Wah alongside champagne and speciality cocktails.^[59][60]

[edit] Spa and wellness

The spa honours the hotel’s Chinese heritage encompassing holistic rejuvenation and relaxation in a tranquil, meditative setting. Set in 2,100 sq. m., the Mandarin Spa is positioned over three floors with an indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, holistic spa, Mandarin Salon and Mandarin Barber.^[61][62][63]

[edit] Incidents

Leslie Cheung, a famous singer and movie star in Asian cinemas committed suicide by leaping off the 24th floor of the hotel building on 1 April 2003. The hotel site has now become a place where his fans pay their respects every year on 1 April.

[edit] Gallery

Mandarin Suite	Mandarin Bathroom	Macau Suite	Lord Lichfielt Suite
Lord Lichfielt Bedroom	Deluxe Oriental Bedroom	Taipan Bedroom	Veranda Bedroom

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong

• Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Reopens Its Doors
• Mandarin Oriental Dining in Hong Kong

[edit] References