The Iconic Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong Hotel Famed and Loved For Its Prized Staff
- EDITOR
- Feb 19
- 4 min read
INSPIRATION: One of the things the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong Hotel is most famed and loved for is its prized staff, many of which have been with the hotel for decades, and some for over 50 years. Each of these colleagues works closely with the new, younger members of the team to ensure that they learn from the past experiences of the senior staff, whilst continuing to embrace the future.
This iconic hotel, which is the flagship of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, is situated in the heart of Hong Kong and holds a special place in the hearts of the local community. It is home to a legendary staff, nine outstanding restaurants and bars, an award-winning spa, The Mandarin Barber, Salon, 13 meeting rooms and a 24-hour business centre and fitness centre. With round-the-clock services, the hotel pulsates at all times and functions smoothly, living up to its legendary, world-renowned status with General Manager Greg Liddell at the helm.
A seasoned hotelier with over 25 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, and having successfully led the reopening of Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid in 2022 and the historic renovation of Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok in 2020, Mr Liddell began his career with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in 2009 as General Manager of the then Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai. Liddell has previously been General Manager & Area Vice President, Operations for Mandarin Oriental hotels in Madrid, Barcelona, Canouan Island, Costa Navarino (opening in Summer 2023), Bangkok and Taipei. No stranger to Hong Kong, Liddell was also the General Manager of The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong back in 2012.
Other key roles during his 14 years with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group include General Manager of The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong where the property was awarded numerous accolades including Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List for 3 consecutive years during his tenure and Forbes Five Star Ratings in Hotel, Restaurant and Spa; one of the only three hotels in greater China to achieve this prestigious recognition before moving to Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona, where he was instrumental in positioning the property as the city’s premier hotel for service excellence and as a culinary destination.
An Australian national, Mr. Liddell studied and worked in Sydney before embarking on a hospitality career in Asia.
MANDARIN ORIENTAL, HONG KONG – THE MANDARIN STORY
In 1958, the Honourable Hugh Barton, Chairman of the Hong Kong Land Company, had a dream that Hong Kong’s Central district needed a world-class hotel. His dream became reality on 1 September 1963 when the iconic Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong (formerly The Mandarin) was launched with a soft opening. When the hotel officially opened on 25 October 1963, the 650-room, 27-storey hotel was the tallest building on Hong Kong Island and instantly became a historic landmark – a status it holds to this day.
Built on the former site of the colonial Queen’s Building, the cost of construction came to HKD42 million, whilst the cost of interior design amounted to HKD66 million. John Howarth of the Leigh & Orange architectural firm was appointed architect, whilst the hotel’s lavish, stately interiors were the brainchild of Don Ashton, art director for such films as “Bridge Over the River Kwai”, “Indiscreet” and “Billy Budd”.
Upon its opening, the South China Morning Post enthused over the space-age lifts that seemingly catapulted guests to the top floor in just 21 seconds. Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong was the first hotel to have direct-dial telephones and was also the first in Asia to have a bathtub in every room – leading the architect of the hotel to ask, “Are the guests amphibious?”
Following a USD150 million renovation in 2006 (more than double what was spent on building and furnishing the original hotel), this landmark hotel, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong Hotel, was completely transformed and was able to offer guests 21stcentury oriental luxury and modern technology, whilst retaining its muchloved character and soul. Meticulously refurbished, the 447-room hotel was the first to appoint Technology Butlers available 24-hours a day. The hotel has enjoyed continued success throughout the last 60 years and since 1963 has repeatedly been voted the world’s best hotel. Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong is home to two Michelin-starred restaurants among its unique array of bars and restaurants, serving delectable cuisine, inventive cocktails and time-honoured classics.
One of the things the hotel is most famed and loved for is its prized staff, many of which have been with the hotel for decades, and some for over 50 years. Each of these colleagues works closely with the new, younger members of the team to ensure that they learn from the past experiences of the senior staff, whilst continuing to embrace the future
About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Mandarin Oriental is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences. Renowned for creating outstanding properties, each destination reflects the Group’s dual Asian heritage, local culture and unique design. Driven by a passion for the exceptional, every day, everywhere, the Group’s mission is to craft time enriching experiences that transform the ordinary to the exceptional and guests to fans through its legendary service. The Group now operates 41 hotels, 12 residences and 26 exceptional homes in 26 countries and territories with many more projects under development. Mandarin Oriental continues to drive its reputation as an innovative leader in luxury hospitality, delivering sustainable growth over the long term.
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