T
he first time I flew into Hong
Kong was in 1992, onto the
runway of the Hong Kong
International Airport. It
was ranked one of the most
dangerous airports in the world, which
I instantly realized as our Cathay
Pacific airplane flew very close to
skyscrapers and landed on a runway
jutting out into Victoria Harbor.
Kong now has a population of over
1.2 million people. It’s a formal city
with men and women in business
attire walking to work next to
street vendors and butchers cutting
raw meat along the sidewalk in the
open air markets. Fish are piled up
on ice for locals to purchase and live
eels swim in small plastic white and
blue bowls.
This airport closed in 1998 and has
been replaced by the new Hong Kong
International Airport at Chek Lap Kok.
I flew into this safer airport recently
in June, 2015, after 10 days in China.
I was surprised to see so many more
skyscrapers 23 years after my first
flight. I learned that Hong Kong has
the most skyscrapers in the world:
8,000 buildings that have more than
14 floors. That is almost twice as
much as New York City.
It’s a sophisticated city with British
pubs, Marks and Spencer Stores and
every high end jewelry, clothing and
shoe store lined up in a tidy row
along the narrow streets. Teslas,
Mercedes and Audis purr along the
streets next to Buicks and Nissans.
Our first night we stayed at the
more sleek and modern The
Landmark Mandarin Oriental.
Located next to a large and elegant
shopping mall, the hotel appeals to
all of your senses. The smells are
pleasing the moment you walk into
the lobby, elevator and guest rooms.
Since I was staying overnight at
two of the The Mandarin Oriental
properties in Hong Kong, I was
provided with car service from the
airport to the first hotel. An airport
staff member greeted my family and
me as we departed from our flight
and helped us obtain our baggage.
Upon exiting the airport, a MO
(Mandarin Oriental) driver welcomed
us and guided us to our black van.
Inside we received cold washcloths,
bottled water and complimentary
Wi-Fi connection.
The British government colonized
Hong Kong in 1841 during the first
Opium War (1839-43). It was handed
back to China on July 1, 1997. Hong
Our feet enjoyed the plush slippers
with the signature M on the top
located next to our king size bed
adorned with Frette linen and goose
down bedding. There is a walk-in
wardrobe with black silk robes
hanging inside. A stunning circular
glass-walled bathroom offers
a dramatic spherical spa tub, and
plush cotton robes hanging next
to the soothing rain-forest shower.
The Mandarin Oriental caters to
an elite clientele and offers extra
amenities that other hotels don’t,
such as a tube of Happy Feet, a
refreshing blend of peppermint to
perk up hot and tired feet after
climbing and exploring the hills
of Hong Kong Island. There is also
a bottle of tea tree oil to provide
antibacterial protection and
a deodorizing effect.
We dined at the MO Bar for a
opulent breakfast buffet and later
in the evening for a lively dinner
and cocktails. Staff members Joyce,
Nicole, Ryan and Nicholas offered
exemplary service during both our
culinary experiences.
In the evening , the MO Bar changes
into a sophisticated nightspot with
cocktails and dining. To add to the
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vibe, a DJ spins each night. The hip,
club-like destination has debuted
Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Annie
Lennox on its small stage.
The second day, we checked out of
The Landmark and into the hotel
chain’s flagship, the Mandarin
Oriental. Celebrating 53 years, it’s
old world elegance with tradition
and pomp, and about two blocks
away from The Landmark.
We were professionally greeted by
Niko Penttinen, the duty manager,
who escorted us up to our suite on
the 12th floor (rooms 1226 and
1227), checked our passports and