The Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong Turns 50

The Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong turns 50 next year. When it officially opened on October 25, 1963, the 650-room 27-story hotel was the tallest building on Hong Kong Island, as well as the first to have direct-dial phones and a bathtub in every room (The South China Morning Post was also particularly impressed with the speed of its elevators).

Following a $150 million renovation in 2006 (more than double what was spent on building and furnishing the original hotel), the now 501-room property has enjoyed continued success. A remarkable 15 members of the current staff have been at the hotel for more than 30 years. The hotel will celebrate its birthday throughout 2013 with a host of special promotions, including:

• Chef Daniel Humm from New York's Eleven Madison Park will visit in March.

• The Clipper Lounge will display  an exhibition of classic photographs of the hotel.

• The Chinnery will be offering guests a special flight of port.

• The Mandarin Cake Shop's Executive Pastry Chef Yves Matthey will create a special line of Golden Easter cakes. Other events  include appearances by two additional celebrity chefs, the unveiling of a series of 50 new embossed silver tankards and martini glasses, and a "Fantastic 50" accommodation package in which guests will be collected from the airport in a 1963 Rolls Royce. 

Please visit here for more details.