When I asked hotel Manager Richard where the best place to see the Hong Kong fireworks was he instantaneously replied "the bathroom in your suite". He was so right. If you meet me, ask to see the video, you will be stunned. Despite my comments when I last stayed at Four Seasons, Hong Kong, I have always dreamt of staying at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong and Chinese New Year 2019 seemed the perfect time to do this. I spent four unbelievable nights there.
In the end I watched the 23 minutes of the Hong Kong Chinese New Year fireworks from the bath in my Harbour View Suite surrounded by the intoxicating smell of fresh rose petals; began the 'Year of the Pig' sampling the hotel's truffle menu with an additional course of Beluga caviar; was given a silk & cotton Japanese kimono to visit the hotel's pool; and had coffee. with the hotel's General Manager, Pierre, where he sought my views on how the hotel's 1960s 'historic' lobby could be improved.
A '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) 50th birthday year continues, thanks to a sublime stay at the legendary Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, that could not have been better. Hope you enjoy the photos below.
In the end I watched the 23 minutes of the Hong Kong Chinese New Year fireworks from the bath in my Harbour View Suite surrounded by the intoxicating smell of fresh rose petals; began the 'Year of the Pig' sampling the hotel's truffle menu with an additional course of Beluga caviar; was given a silk & cotton Japanese kimono to visit the hotel's pool; and had coffee. with the hotel's General Manager, Pierre, where he sought my views on how the hotel's 1960s 'historic' lobby could be improved.
A '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) 50th birthday year continues, thanks to a sublime stay at the legendary Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, that could not have been better. Hope you enjoy the photos below.
 The short journey from Four Seasons, Hong Kong, in a Mandarin Oriental Mercedes, flew by with WiFi, classical music & my Chinese New Year good luck charm from Phoebe at Four Seasons.  Manager Richard, Mai Anh & the rest of his team were waiting outside the hotel to greet me. This photo was taken in front of the hotel's Chinese New Year good luck tree.  In my Habour View suite there was Veuve Clicquot champagne on ice, a 50th birthday cake with a teddy bear made of solid chocolate, a fan hand-painted with my name etc  In the bedroom were more gifts, including a Mahjong set. I have since decided to call the 'piglet' Truffle.  The bedroom of my suite had no windows & a bed that reminded me of my Dorchester hotel bed in my Barbican, London place. A perfect place for incredible sleep.  The shower in the suite's gorgeous bathroom was spectacular. I am still using the luxurious Bottega Veneta bath products here in Bangkok!  Eating breakfast with this view of IM Pei's Bank of China was a dream come true and the English breakfast even came with black pudding.  I spend my days at the hotel's indoor lap pool with impressive underwater music, live video feed of Victoria Harbour and sweet staff who draped me in towels each time I left the pool.  On my second night I tried M Bar on the 25th Floor of the hotel. I had a fascinating chat with a couple from Palo Alto, California. He gives financial advice to billionaires there. Less successful was a chat with a young Facebook executive from San Francisco. He managed to mix up Four Seasons owner HRH Prince Al-Waleed bin Tala and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and was completely unembarrassed when I pointed out his error.  Back at my suite that night I was disappointed to find Perrier water had been left for me, despite my comments at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok about how I do not like this water. An email was sent & it was replaced with San Pellegrino the next day.  Chinese New Year's Day had to start with a Chinese breakfast & there were also gifts from The Mandarin Cake Shop. I loved the dim sum but struggled with the congee again!  I loved my Chinese New Year gifts. In fact the dark chocolate gold dusted coins were so good I will try to buy some from Mandarin Oriental here in Bangkok.  On Chinese New Year's Day Mai Anh also sent me my own Chinese New Year tree.  On Chinese New Year Day I met Richard, the Manager of the hotel, for coffee in The Chinnery. It was so good to get to know that young Mandarin Oriental star better & I also got to meet F&B Director Michael.  On Chinese New Year's Night I tried The Mandarin Grill's Truffle Menu. Crab, Sea Urchin & Yuzu truffle toast, Australian M9 Wagyu tenderloin with Perigord truffles, an extra course of Beluga caviar & talking to F&B Director Michael about our time in Doha & brilliant Sommelier Lee again. An evening I will never forget that inspired me to name the latest member of the www.sifrew.com 'gang' Truffle.  I ended Chinese New Year's Day listening to young jazz singer Joy in the Captain's Bar and then having a great chat with her.  Every evening more luxurious gifts were left by the bed turndown staff.  On Chinese New Year's Day M&S saved my life over my mother in Shropshire's birthday card.  The bathroom set up to watch the Hong Kong fireworks. I wish you could smell the rose petals.  On my last morning hotel General Manager Pierre had returned from China and we had coffee. It was incredible to meet this hotel legend, find we know so many of the same people and be asked for my hotel advice.  I was on a high after meeting Pierre and had to have one 'last' breakfast looking at this stunning view.  My sumptuous silk & cotton kimono at the pool on my last day.  Manager Richard, Mai Anh etc all came to say goodbye to me. It was a legendary Chinese New Year stay &, in fact, the best Chinese New Year of my life.  In Cathay Pacific's The Wing lounge in Hong Kong I admired the new suit bag Richard had ensured I had been given over champagne & dim sum. |
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