Editorial Review

At the heart of the banking district, the Mandarin Oriental has had one of the best locations in Hong Kong for decades. The hotel shies away from an overly splashy look, instead being known for its subtle comfort and impeccable service. The ground level shops house some of the world’s most extravagant brands. Michelin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire has an eponymous restaurant in the building, and Man Wah is one of the most famous Chinese restaurants in the city. The hotel is also a pilgrimage site for lovers of Asian films: Leslie Cheung, a Cantopop singer who gave one of the greatest performances on film in “Farewell My Concubine,” leapt to his death off the 24th floor of the Mandarin on April Fool’s Day, 2003. Yet another reason to lodge there.