Enhanced Renovation Programme For Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong To Be Completed In A Single-Phase
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Enhanced Renovation Programme For Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong To Be Completed In A Single-Phase
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Category: Asia Pacific
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2005-11-02
Mandarin Oriental International Limited today announced that the comprehensive renovation planned for Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong is to be completed within a single-phase eight-month period commencing at the end of 2005. The renovation programme, which has been enhanced to ensure a significant re-positioning of the Group’s flagship property, will cost USD 140 million.
The extensive renovation will upgrade the facilities and services of this legendary hotel, while maintaining its classic, Chinese-influenced elegance. A major component of the work will be the enclosure of the hotel’s balconies, which will increase the size of the guestrooms and provide scope for the creation of spacious bathrooms. The overall number of hotel rooms will be reduced from 541 to 503, while the number of suites will increase to 69. The exterior of the building will also be upgraded in keeping with the contemporary facades of the hotel’s commercial neighbours at the heart of Hong Kong’s business district.
The hotel’s public areas, restaurants and bars will be refurbished, and a reconfiguration of the ground floor will increase the rental space for luxury retail. A luxurious spa, in line with the Group’s award-winning international spa concepts, has also been devised for the property.
Rooms and Suites
The award-winning interior design firm Lim, Teo & Wilkes Design Works (LTW) has been appointed to create an elegant, spacious and stylish design for the hotel’s new guestrooms which have increased in size to over 40 sq m with luxuriously appointed bathrooms being a prominent feature. The 69 suites include 55 beautifully created corner suites, eight executive suites as well as five signature suites. A new lavish presidential suite will feature a double height living room, with superb views of Victoria Harbour and the surrounding cityscape. The finest in-room entertainment and technology systems, a hallmark of Mandarin Oriental, will also be a prominent hotel feature.
Restaurants & Bars
Introducing Pierre Gagnaire to Hong Kong
A sumptuous new restaurant is being designed for the 25th floor, in place of Vong, introducing the award-winning cuisine of three-star Michelin chef Pierre Gagnaire. Recognised as one of the world’s greatest chefs, this will be the first time that Pierre Gagnaire presents his extraordinary cuisine to Hong Kong in a restaurant of his own design. Admired by his peers and celebrated by food critics, Gagnaire has deservedly earned huge respect for his professionalism and witty, elegant and creative cuisine.
A vibrant new Bar will remain on this floor with stunning harbour and city views.
The Mandarin Grill and Bar
The esteemed atmosphere of The Mandarin Grill will be further enhanced by a refurbishment directed by Terence Conran, the award-winning British designer, and his London-based design studio, Conran and Partners. Conran has been appointed to create a vibrant, contemporary design for this much-loved Hong Kong establishment. Many of the restaurant’s most popular features will be incorporated into the new design, including the timeless murals by Hong Kong artist, Gerard D’Alton Henderson, the comfortable “Pullman” armchairs and of course the familiar faces of The Grill’s knowledgeable staff. In keeping with the original design from 1963, the Grill windows will be re-opened to provide views of Statue Square and Chater Garden and the addition of an elegant new bar will be a prominent feature of the new Grill.
The Café and Cake Shop will be relocated to the mezzanine floor thereby increasing the ground floor rental space for luxury retail. The new design of the Café will be lively and sophisticated with an open kitchen and full height picture windows overlooking both Chater Road and Statue Square.
Man Wah, one of the world’s leading Cantonese restaurants, will be elegantly renovated with many original features re-instated.
The Clipper Lounge will be exquisitely refurbished and will enjoy increased daylight via enlarged windows overlooking Statue Square.
Both the Captain’s Bar and Chinnery Bar will be sensitively restored, and will retain their unique style and design.
Spa & Wellness
Honouring the hotel’s Chinese heritage and original design, a new all-encompassing spa will offer holistic rejuvenation and relaxation in a tranquil, meditative setting. The 2,100 sq m Mandarin Spa and Wellness Centre will be positioned over three floors and will incorporate the existing swimming pool and fitness centre, plus a new Beauty Salon. The spa will draw on established Chinese styling and will blend traditional Chinese therapies into the treatments. The Beauty Salon will feature a contemporary design overseen by world renowned hairdresser, Rossano Ferretti from Milan.
The hotel’s traditional Barber Shop will remain on the second floor and will double its existing space and increase its lifestyle treatments for men.
The hotel will close on 28th December 2005 and will re-open in late August 2006, with the renovation of the public areas and approximately 200 guestrooms complete. The remaining rooms will become available progressively over the remainder of the year.
During the closure period, employees will be offered opportunities for training and personal development. Some will transfer to other hotels within the Group while others will be seconded to work at sister companies within the Jardine Matheson Group in Hong Kong.
The hotel closure will inevitably dampen the Group’s results in 2006, although the loss of profit is expected to be offset in part by the increasing contribution from the Group’s new properties. In the first half of 2005, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong’s earnings before interest, tax and depreciation (EBITDA) were USD 17 million. The renovation programme will be financed by existing Group facilities.
“Throughout its 40-year history, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong has been an icon of this vibrant city and one of the Group’s best performing hotels. This refurbishment is designed to ensure its position as one of the world’s legendary hotels.” said Edouard Ettedgui, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and resorts, currently operating 22 luxury hotels with a further seven under development in Tokyo (2005), Prague and Riviera Maya, Mexico (2006), Boston and Grand Cayman (2007), Chicago (2008) and Macau (2009). In total, Mandarin Oriental now operates, or has under development, more than 8,000 rooms in 17 countries with 13 hotels in Asia, 11 in the Americas and five in Europe. Mandarin Oriental International Limited is a publicly listed company and is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.
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