General manager of Landmark Mandarin Susanne Hatje says the new concept hotel with its premier spa services will perk up a market ready for new offerings and services

Hong Kong's newest hotel, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, intends to set a new high in trendy chic and tap into a niche market that is just beginning to take shape.  

Located in the heart of Central, a few steps from Hong Kong's key commercial buildings and Asia's highest concentration of international luxury brands, the hip hotel offers state-of-the-art technology in each of its 113 rooms and a 21,000 square foot spa.

Designed by Hong Kong born Peter Remedios and Israeli Adam Tihany, this latest addition in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will go head on with the September launch of the six-star Four Seasons' 396 room hotel and 519-unit serviced apartment complex in IFC2 above Hong Kong Station.

General Manager of Landmark Mandarin, Susanne Hatje, is not worried about the perceived competition. "We are catering to different markets. The Landmark Mandarin Oriental is in a niche of its own so it does not compete with other hotels. We cater mainly to the leisure and business traveller with business and entertainment on his mind and who uses Hong Kong as a hub to the rest of Asia."

Showcase to international travellers

The 113 rooms designed by Hong Kong born Peter Remedios feature the ultimate in luxury and technology

Ms Hatje, no stranger to the world of hotels - her parents were hoteliers in Hamburg, Germany - believes that the boutique hotel will be able to make its mark in a city enamoured with brands. "Hong Kong is always ahead with new offerings and services so this small contemporary hotel is a showcase to the international traveller."

With room rates starting at HK$4,000 (US$514) to HK$8,000 (US$1,028) for a 600 sq ft room, Ms Hatje insists that these rates are still cheaper compared to London and New York. "The room rates in London and New York are undoubtedly higher than the ones we charge."

She expects the hotel to do well. "There are many first class hotels in Hong Kong but long haul travellers are on the rise, the hotel industry is doing well so we want to be part of this thriving scene." In fact, room bookings for the brand new hotel are very encouraging.

"Because of our global network and marketing, we already have very good response and our Amber restaurant on the seventh floor is booked solid for two weeks," says a delighted Ms Hatje.
 
She adds that the stylish new hotel complements the Mandarin Oriental just around the corner. "The Mandarin Oriental Group has built on a tradition of service and this new hotel complements our nearby flagship hotel which has 540 rooms and is a traditional corporate and business hotel."

The flagship Mandarin Oriental is also gearing up to draw in the big spenders with renovation due to start later in the year.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group currently operates 22 luxury hotels in the world with a further six under development in Tokyo (2005), Prague and Rivera Maya, Mexico (2006) Boston and Grand Cayman (2007) and Chicago (2008).   

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Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group