The Landmark is the Mandarin Oriental’s younger, edgier, sibling — and offers guests an intimate and luxurious haven right in the middle of Hong Kong’s ultra busy Central district.
Marked with only a tiny sign, you’d be forgiven if you walked right past the Landmark Mandarin Oriental. In a city with as much visual noise as Hong Kong, the understated facade of the Landmark Hong Kong elegantly hides a standout hotel, in a city packed with five star properties.
Though it plays little sister to the legendary Mandarin Oriental Hotel just a block away, the newer and updated Landmark is even more stylish than the original flagship and is considered by many to be one of the most luxurious accommodations in Hong Kong.
The hotel, the spa and the restaurants have all earned a five-star rating from Forbes and Michelin awarded two stars to its in-house French eatery, Amber. So when we realized we had two extra nights in Hong Kong, it was a pretty easy decision to stay at the Landmark. Comfortable and luxe accommodations with the same service we have grown to love about Mandarin Oriental, we knew we couldn’t go wrong.
You’d expect a hotel with all these accolades, fashionable people coming in and out of the door in fur coats, and a private entrance to the Dior boutique, to be a bit pretentious and intimidating but the attitude at the Landmark is all about luxury without the arrogance. Their service is beyond incredible and downright impressive, especially the concierge team.
After our stay in Hong Kong we were heading to Thailand and I found myself in desperate need of a pair of sandals. I asked the concierge about it and within an hour a big red envelope was put under our door, with all the places that sold sandals, along with a detailed map of where to find them. They even called the stores to make sure that they had them in my size. Amazing service, when you least expect it, is simply the standard here.
The Landmark’s design is very much grounded on the 21st century with more youthful and modern vibe than the classic Mandarin Oriental look. Rich textures, hand-painted silk wall coverings, floral arrangements and sculptural details give the toned-down design a luxurious edge while a light palette and warm lighting create a sense of peacefulness and intimacy.
The hotel seems geared mostly towards the business traveller and those who come to Hong Kong to do what the city does best: shopping. Vignettes with Valentino shoes and Panerai watches line the lobby and there is a private entrance to the Dior boutique from the hotel. The most luxurious part of it all though is how unbelievably serene it feels for a hotel located right in the middle of one of world’s busiest cities.
“The most luxurious part of it all though is how unbelievably serene it feels for a hotel located right in the middle of one of world’s busiest cities.”
Rooms at the Landmark are some of the largest in all of Hong Kong – a city well known for its claustrophobic feel – and are designed to look more like residences than hotel rooms. Our L600 Executive Suite’s design followed the same clean lines and soft colors as the rest of the hotel, elevated with beautiful details such as a sublime sculpture of a tiny flock of golden birds coming out of the wall above the bed’s headrest.
The spa-inspired bathroom had a giant soaking tub, seven feet in diameter overlooking the bedroom and a rain shower. Truthfully, the Jo Malone amenities were my favorite! I might have snuck the lotion in my bag when we left :)
“Rooms at the Landmark are some of the largest in all of Hong Kong – a city well known for its claustrophobic feel – and are designed to look more like residences than hotel rooms.”
The Landmark Hong Kong is also home to Amber, a 2 Michelin star restaurant. While we did not have an opportunity to visit Amber for dinner to sample their elaborate 10-course menus — so we did the next best thing — we decided to do a Michelin-stared breakfast!
We had an early flight so we hit the restaurant bright and early at 7 a.m. and ordered two very simple dishes – egg white omelets and Eggs Benedict. When the server came by – white gloves and all – with a black truffle the size of a baseball and proceeded to shave fresh slices of it into my omelet, I knew this was going to be something very special.
We will never be able to have Eggs Benedict again without comparing them to the ones we had at Amber. This is to me true Michelin quality dining – taking something basic and making it better than it could possibly ever be.
“When the server came by – white gloves and all – with a black truffle the size of a baseball and proceeded to shave fresh slices of it into my omelet, I knew this was going to be something very special.”
Whenever there is a Mandarin Oriental property nearby we make it a point to visit their bar. The drinks are always craft, creative and delicious – just how we like them. The Landmark’s MO Bar serves a fantastic brunch that includes a starter, main dish, side dish, dessert and all the free-flow Moët & Chandon champagne and house wine you want.Our favorites were the Mediterranean salad and the well-seasoned lamb rack...definitely a must!
What started out as a champagne brunch, quickly turned into a creative cocktail tasting that carried on well into the afternoon. Their cocktail menu starts with a list of rules such as “No flavored vodkas unless distilled with real fruit” and “All drinks made with premium spirits – and plenty of passion”. Drinks are divided into sections setting the themes that inspired them. You’ll find the Mark Twain under “Poets and Travelers”, the Dolce Vita in “MO Bar Classics”, and the Boulevardier in “Classic and Vintage”. The sMOky, with Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, lemon and ginger was my favorite – I just can’t resist mezcal!
Great cocktails aside — if this is your first time in Hong Kong, Central is a great area to stay in. There is so much to see and do! If you stay at the Landmark, the best thing you can do is get out and go explore on foot. Nearby you’ll find the Man Mo Temple – a compound containing three different temples on Hollywood Road – the many restaurants, bars and shops on Lan Kwai Fong and the Star Ferry to take you to Kowloon Bay. Overall, you simply can’t ask for a better location — or experience, then at the Landmark Hong Kong.
