Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong

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Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
Chinese: 香港文華東方酒店
Mandarin Oriental Hong KongChinese: 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 4
No. of rooms 502
of which suites 68
No. of floors 25
Website mandarinoriental.com
Footnotes
major renovations completed September 2006
Hotel Lobby
Hotel Lobby
The Bakery Shop
The Bakery Shop

The Mandarin Oriental (traditional Chinese: 香港文華東方酒店) is a 5-star hotel in Hong Kong, the first and flagship hotel of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. It opened in September 1963 as The Mandarin, located at 5 Connaught Road Central in Central, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong's financial and banking district. The hotel is the first in Hong Kong to feature in-hotel business facilities, catering to traveling business people.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

The hotel, completed in 1963, was built on the site of the pre-war colonial Queen's Building.[2]

Although the hotel was criticised by Hong Kong and Macau residents during the early days of operation as it bore an extravagant character and identity, it quickly established itself as an award winning hotel. It has been rated the best hotel in Asia[citation needed] and it has been used by diplomats, politicians and celebrities such as Kate Moss, Kevin Costner, Tom Cruise, The Sultan of Brunei, the late Princess Diana, former US Presidents Nixon, Ford and George H. W. Bush.[citation needed]

After an extensive 9-month renovation, the Mandarin Oriental re-opened on 28 September 2006. The renovated hotel features 502 guestrooms and suites, with guest-centred technology, nine restaurants and bars, a holistic spa, traditional barber, hair salon, sky-lit fitness facility with pool and banqueting facilities.[3]

[edit] Restaurants and Bars

  • M Bar

Stylish Bar on the top floor of the Hotel, serves Chinese Tapas from Man Wah alongside champagne and specialty martinis.

  • Mandarin Grill & Bar

One of the most famous steakhouses in Hong Kong. Originally named The Saddle & Sirloin. During the renovation a new seafood serving Crustacean bar has been added.

A concept by 3-star Michelin Chef Pierre Gagnaire. Replacing Vong's (1997-2005), which replaced Pierrot (1979-1997), a classic French Restaurant.

  • Man Wah

The hotel Chinese restaurant steeped with history. The new chef de cuisine, Ooi Soon Lok. Replaced The Button Supper Club in 1968.

  • Clipper Lounge

A favorite place for high tea amongst local celebrities and socialites. Also known as "Hong Kong's Sitting Room".

  • café causette

A relaxing café with open kitchens alongside The Mandarin Cake Shop. Formerly known as The Café.

  • The Chinnery Bar

The Chinnery Bar was originally opened as a Gentleman's club in 1963 and was not opened to both men and women until 1990. Serves traditional colonial cuisine and whiskey.

  • Krug Room

Hidden behind the Chinnery Bar, this bar serves Krug champagne and also serves dinner cooked by the hotel's executive chef.

  • The Mandarin Cake Shop

Serves homemade chocolate, cakes and breads along with delicious hot chocolate and coffee.

  • Captain's Bar

One of the favorite bars in Central for business professionals. Serves casual lunch during the day and cocktails at night with lively music provided by the Tony DeSare trio. (9pm to 1am, Monday - Saturday)

[edit] Incidents

Leslie Cheung, a famous movie star in Asian cinemas committed suicide by jumping off 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

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Mandarin Story. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Retrieved on 2007-08-03.
  2. ^ MMIS, Hong Kong Public Libraries, retrieved 2008-02-21
  3. ^ Mandarin Oriental Hotel Hong Kong (PDF). China Trend Building Press Limited (January 2007). Retrieved on 2007-08-03.