MANDARIN ORIENTAL HONG KONG

Built on the site of the colonial Queen's Building in 1963, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong has stood in Hong Kong's financial district for over four decades, symbolising the city's pride and status as a world-class business centre. As one of the finest hotels in the world, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong consistently receives glittering awards from the bodies that matter - recent accolades include 'Gold List' awards from Conde Nast Traveler USA (2009), Top 25 Best Overseas Hotel (Luxury Travel, Australia, 2009), Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong and The Mandarin Spa received the Five-Star Award (Forbes Travel Guide, 2010) and lastly The Mandarin Spa was honoured with a 2009 Best Hotel Spa Award by the Crystal Awards Asia-Pacific.

The 434 guestrooms and 67 suites are some of the largest in the city, starting from 35 sq metres, and feature the very latest guest-orientated technology. Of the suites, perhaps the most impressive is the Lichfield suite, dedicated to the memory of Patrick Lichfield, the esteemed photographer who was behind the Group's award-winning advertising campaign. Nicky Haslam designed the interior and he pays homage to Lord Lichfield by incorporating personal momentos and framed photographs in the suite.

For a truly jaw-dropping experience guests can book the Mandarin Suite which has several pieces of priceless objets d'art and a living room with seven rooms, balcony and double height full-length soaring windows overlooking Victoria Harbour.

Each of the rooms and suites are comfortable beyond compare. Guests can be sure of a good night's rest in quiet rooms with beds that are dressed with pure linen bed sheets and luxurious goose-down pillows. Bathrooms, kitted out with Ferragamo and Acqua Di Parma designer products, are spectacular. With dark marble counters and floors, some also have freestanding tubs.

All rooms have two telephone lines, an interactive entertainment system, SMART lighting controls, DVD players, in-room safe, wi-fi and a personal bar. Thoughtful touches such as iPod docking stations and an innovative pass-through valet box show that guests every need has been considered. In case anything needs attending to, multi-lingual butlers also service every guest floor.

The best feature of the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong is that although it has mastered the art of service, it never rests. Whether that takes the form of a multi-million-dollar revamp, or the learning of a single guest's preferences, it sets a standard that will prove difficult to match.