EXQUISITE--THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL, HONG KONG

There is Only One!

In the lore of hotels, The Mandarin Oriental is one of a kind. I can not say when I first heard of it, but I can say that it was on a short list of hotels that held a certain fascination. Lists are created from time to time of the World's greatest hotels, and for a very long time The Mandarin lead the way not for magnificent architecture but for impeccable service. So, what around the world trip would be complete without a few dreams fulfilled?
Remember as a kid when you always hoped for that Christmas present that would be the best ever. That gift that would exceed all expectations. Or, later, when you thought of places to visit and wondered if they could be as good as their billing--and then you went. Sometimes those expectations are met--The Grand Canyon, Disneyworld, The Statue of Liberty, Yellowstone, the Redwoods are a few that come to mind. Well, I'm here to say that The Mandarin Oriental is now added to that list.

Ah, where I left off earlier today--we had arrived. Greeted by three bellman, and an Assistant Manager at the curb, Karen tried to look appropriately unimpressed (she was faking it or she was just plain exhausted from 17 hours of travel--- yeah, probably the latter). But the manager would have none of it. He was positively enthusiastic about our arrival. Folder under his left arm he extends a hardy "welcome to the Mandarin Oriental" handshake, a smile and a bow. He tells us please don't worry about your luggage it will be delivered to your room and let me take you to your suite.
Wow, how do they know where to take the luggage? And, what about checking in? Nope, not to be bothered, just follow me as you are our special guests. We parade thru the lobby, greeted seemingly by name by the staff as we pass--everyone greets us. I'm not sure. Do they really know who we are? Did something get mixed up along the way and they think we're somebody else.
Into the elevator we go with the assistant manager who has by now become a bosom buddy--Andrew.  He takes us to the 21st floor and into a suite of rooms.
Now I'm not talking you're Embassy Suites or your Comfort Suites or even your Chocolate marshmallow sweets, I'm talkin' a "SUITE". As in entry hallway, living room, dressing room, bedroom and a bathroom the size of a small village.
And, there is a fine bottle of French wine on the table, two glasses, a bowl of magnificent fruit, a small chess board with chess figures made of chocolate, a dozen yellow roses, a three foot tall orchid and... well you get the idea. They thought Brad and Angelina were coming and all they got were Karen and Jim.
But still, what about checking in? I'm thinking they're going to figure out any minute they've got the wrong people.
The manager walks over to the desk, sits down, fills out a few forms and quietly, discretely, oh so formally motions me over. (Downton Abbey-like formal) "Mr. Troupis, I am sorry to bother you, but might we have a credit card so I can complete your paperwork?" (Make sure to say that with a Chinese accent, it really is special that way) Thank God he doesn't have a computer because he might check and see my limit will be exceeded in roughly 8.7 seconds. And with that Andrew, our new best friend manager of the Mandarin Oriental shows us around the rooms; he offers a spa treatment on the house for Karen ( Karen gives him that oh so French (Jeanblanc--her maiden name) look as he makes the offer); he explains how to run an array of electronic light switches that would take Steve Jobs to master; he demonstrates that, of course, your American plugs will work here because we've preset them for your arrival, and he otherwise makes us feel we're the most important people in the world. 
He leaves with a promise that he and the staff are available 24 hours a day for anything we might need. And, we know he is telling the truth. (Maybe I'll call tonight at about 1 a.m. and ask for fishing pole.... Oh, that's right, they are all made in China, and this is China--they'll get it before breakfast.)

This is remarkable. Exquisite was the only word I could come up with to describe our experience so far. When one takes an trip of a lifetime, it's great to have experiences that exceed your expectations. This is one.