At Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, a legacy of luxury

Amid Hong Kong's ever-changing hotel landscape, one grande dame remains a constant source of comfort for well-heeled travelers: the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong. When it opened in 1963, the then-650-room hotel was the tallest building on Hong Kong Island at 300 feet.

The hotel is located in the Central District, the financial heart of Hong Kong and so much more. While its corners are replete with luxury hotels and designer shopping, it also has some of the city's most electric nightlife, restaurants and chic galleries.

The hotel is also within walking distance of Hong Kong's Wan Chai neighborhood, one of the earliest British settlements that today is home to a healthy mix of modern gastropubs and traditional shops and restaurants.

Today, the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong has 499 guestrooms and suites, with views of Victoria Harbour and the surrounding skyline. Each room comes with a pillow menu and designer bath products (Diptyque for rooms and Jo Malone for suites).

Speaking of suites, none of the hotel's six suites are alike. The premier accommodation is the seven-room presidential suite, named the Mandarin Suite and decked out in priceless works of art. A balcony overlooks Victoria Harbour, and the master bath has a massive mosaic bathtub with views of Hong Kong's skyline. An adjoining couples spa suite provides a hideaway for treatments or private exercise classes.

The hotel is home to three Michelin-starred restaurants. The first is Pierre, with two Michelin stars, serving modern French cuisine from Pierre Gagnaire. Mandarin Grill + Bar serves grilled classics as well as seafood, and Man Wah serves Cantonese specialties, including dim sum.

There are seven other dining and drinking establishments, including the Krug Room, serving tasting menus paired with its namesake Champagnes; Cafe Causette for all-day dining; the Chinnery, serving British pub grub and Asian single malts; the Clipper Lounge for drinks and all-day dining; M Bar for cocktails and Champagnes; Captain's Bar for beer and live music; and the Mandarin Cake Shop for cakes and pastries.

The decadence doesn't stop there. The hotel's 23,000-square-foot spa spans three floors and has nine treatment rooms, including two couples suites with private vitality pools. There is also a dedicated ganbanyoku hot stone therapy bed as well as a Chinese herbal steam room, experience showers, hot tub, steam sauna and relaxation area.

Treatments have been developed around Asian philosophies, and signature treatments include the Oriental Qi, Time Rituals, Imperial Jade and Five Elements Facial. The spa also houses the Mandarin Salon and the Mandarin Barber as well as an indoor pool and 24-hour fitness center. Spa guests are encouraged to arrive 45 minutes before their scheduled appointment so they can use the facilities.

Rates begin at $510 per night.