Condé Nast Traveller - The Island Scene: Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
December 2016

The Mandarin, as it was called on opening back in the early 1960s was once the tallest building in Hong Kong. While it’s long been overtaken on height, it still manages to look across Victoria Harbour, in spite of a frenzy of land reclamation. And it continues to be everyone’s favourite address when it comes to rooms, restaurants and especially service, which is flawless. It’s perhaps best epitomised by Danny Lai, who has notched up more than 40 years in guest relations and offers foodie recommendations that only locals would know about. You’d be forgiven for staying put, though, at the hotel’s Clipper Lounge, where Hong Kong society hobnobs during afternoon tea: five courses of classic finger sandwiches, signature cheesecakes and scones. Or head around the corner to its sister hotel The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, where the MO bar serves the bubbliest Champagne cocktails around. Then skip on home beneath the glittering lights of Hong Kong’s after-dark skyline — yes, the bellman says ‘welcome home’, a greeting that never fails to lift your heart.