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This article is part of FT Globetrotter’s guide to Hong Kong
From John Lennon to Andy Warhol and Michelle Yeoh to Dame Helen Mirren, any true A-lister passing through Hong Kong has invariably crossed the famed threshold of the Mandarin Oriental.
When it opened as The Mandarin in 1963, the first of what would become the group’s hotels, it was one of Hong Kong’s tallest buildings and celebrated for offering a bathtub and a direct-dial telephone in every room. In the years since, it has received countless awards — including Best Hotel in the World from the FT back in 1984 — and more than six decades on, it has retained its capacity to wow, remaining a local icon.
Many locals and visitors have deeply personal connections to the property: drinks from silver tankards to the sounds of live jazz in Captain’s Bar or decadent multi-tiered afternoon teas in the Clipper Lounge have long been rites of passage for many in the city.
In part, that’s due to its unbeatable location. One side of the hotel is the business artery of Connaught Road Central, surrounded by glittering skyscrapers; the other, on Chater Road, offers high-end fashion and jewellery boutiques, including the likes of Cartier, Chanel and Louis Vuitton.
Step inside, however, and a distinct sense of calm pervades, a moment of composure and respite amid Hong Kong’s always-on energy. There’s no rushing, just the quiet hum of gentle conversation and cool air scented with fresh tropical flowers, which make guests instantly forget the sticky humidity outside.
White marble floors in the lobby are as impeccably polished as the arrival process, an effortless, swift but warm interaction that sets the tone for service throughout any stay. A proud institutional muscle and deep training clearly underpin the peerless level of service. The word “no” doesn’t seem part of the lexicon here.
Rooms and suites
Despite offering 387 guestrooms and 60 suites, The Mandarin, as it’s known to everyone in Hong Kong, never feels hectic.
In a city not exactly renowned for expansive accommodation, lodgings are generously sized, the entry-level room starting at 430 square feet while the suites range from 700 to 1,240 square feet. The jewel in the crown — the extraordinary Mandarin Suite — is almost 4,000 square feet. Whichever you choose, aim to overlook Victoria Harbour, historic Statue Square — or, in the case of the Mandarin Suite, both.
The harbour’s ceaseless energy is hypnotic as the Star Ferry chugs across to Kowloon, tugs tow cruise and cargo ships and wooden junks carry partying expats to beaches on outlying islands. Statue Square also offers striking contrasts, as the British architectural legacy of The Cenotaph — almost an exact replica of London’s — and the Old Supreme Court Building are set against a dramatic backdrop of vertiginous, angular glass high-rises and jungle-covered hills beyond.
Room and suite interiors feature dark woods, deep plush furnishings and auspicious red accents. It’s worth noting that every room and suite will undergo a renovation in 2026, heralding a distinctive new design direction. (The project will be executed in stages and so the hotel will continue to operate throughout most of the renovation period, with completion expected by the end of the year.)
Goose down is one of a frankly dizzying menu of pillow options, Diptyque bathroom amenities and Jim Thompson silks add to the luxury quotient, but it’s the little touches that make all the difference. Soft cloths are left by any electronic device bearing a smudge, trailing phone cables are looped and Velcro-tied, then pillow sprays add to a truly restful night’s sleep.
Dining and bars
In famously food-mad Hong Kong, The Mandarin more than delivers. Highlights include Man Wah, a Michelin-starred Cantonese jewel box of a restaurant where a rich-blue dining room features striking harbour views, design motifs including birdcage chandeliers and stellar dim sum.
Mandarin Grill is the spot for power lunches or dinners, with theatrical silver service, Hong Kong’s finest oysters and a serious wine list. Intimate and hidden, The Chinnery serves smooth pints and excellent curries, while The Aubrey is a top-floor take on an izakaya, where bento boxes and award-winning cocktails draw a hip young crowd well into the night.
The legendary Captain’s Bar exudes old-world glamour, while French maestro Daniel Boulud will add to the pantheon when he opens a new venue, Terrace Boulud, in March.
Spa and wellness
Mandarin Oriental pioneered world-class wellness in hotels, and in Hong Kong its spa is another local favourite thanks to the aromas of fragrant oils and softly lit treatment rooms, but most of all the therapists. Their experience and expertise is felt in signature massage therapies, body treatments, purifying rituals, skincare and more.
The expansive gym features multiple treadmills and cross trainers with great views over the city — just some of the advanced suite of cardio and strength equipment from Technogym’s Artis Atelier that let you track your progress no matter where you are in the world. There’s also a sauna, steam room and indoor pool featuring underwater music and a slightly surreal live video feed of Victoria Harbour on a screen at one end.
Chris Dwyer stayed as a guest of Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
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