Mandarin Oriental: Enjoy a Tea Ceremony in the Centre of Hong Kong

We recently visited beautiful Hong Kong, home to a stunning skyline, colourful festivals, the historic Star Ferry, Buddhist temples and so much more. Hong Kong is truly a feast for the senses!

During one jam-packed day, we felt like we needed a break from the noise of the city and the endless hordes of people on the streets; Hong Kong is the world's fourth most densely populated sovereign state or territory so you will never be lonely! In search of a little peace and quiet, we headed straight to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel right in the heart of the city centre.

Mandarin hotel reception

The Mandarin Oriental chain is known for its luxurious hotels and the flagship hotel in Hong Kong is no exception. This hotel has been a landmark in Central since 1963, which makes it positively ancient in this ever-changing city. It’s the perfect blend of retro chic combined with ultra-modern facilities. With its convenient location and long-standing reputation for excellent service, this hotel is popular with both business and leisure travellers. The feeling of luxury envelops you as soon as you walk into the hotel reception.

Hotel's lobby interior

The atmosphere here is peaceful and opulent. Everything looks fresh and modern - in 2005, the hotel spent USD 150 million on renovating its 501 guestrooms, 10 restaurants and numerous public spaces. Famous restaurants include the Mandarin Grill and Man Wah, where a whopping 70% of diners are local so you know that the food must be good!

Hong Kong was once a British Crown Colony so that’s probably the reason they love tea so much. The Mandarin Oriental offers a great tea ceremony in the gorgeous Clipper Lounge – a wonderful place to meet at any time of day but especially famous for its afternoon tea.

Preparing tea

For any tea geeks out there - yes, they do serve leaf tea.

Drinking tea at Mandarin hotel

Afternon tea sandwiches

During the ceremony, you are offered a seemingly endless choice of tasty small treats and snacks. Elegantly presented on silver stands, the spread includes delicacies such as finger sandwiches, sweets, scones and the restaurant’s signature rose-petal jam. The themed teas are extremely seasonal as the chef takes inspiration from the worlds of fashion, art and culture in a bid to keep the menu fresh and full of variety.

Delicious cakes

Of course you are provided with delicious desserts and bite-sized cakes. 1963 Mandarin Cheese Cake, Seasonal Fresh Fruit Tart, Manjari Chocolate Marquise, Battenberg Cake, Cassis Mousse Cake...they were all so good it was impossible to choose a favourite!

Enjoying afternoon tea ceremony

Afternoon tea ceremony

The staff are incredibly polite and go out of their way to make you feel at ease. R de Ruinart champagne flows freely and not once did I see a guest with an empty glass. Generations of loyal customers have been coming here for decades and it’s easy to see why.

Eating delicious sandwiches

Relaxing at Mandarin hotel lobby

If you ever find yourself in the centre of bustling Hong Kong and are craving a tea break, the Mandarin Oriental is definitely the place to go.

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We are a married couple from Latvia who love to travel together. There is one thing that is really special about travelling, and that's how the passing of time changes during your trip. You can visit so many places and meet so many different people in just half a day – this time would fly by unnoticed during a working day at the office. Our conclusion is simple – everyone needs to travel more to really experience every second of their lives!

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