Hong Kong: Mandarin Oriental OR Intercontinental?

[haydensydney]

Husband and I are off to Honkers next week. As part of Centurion, we get one free night at the Mandarin Oriental - With Ambassador, I get one free night at Intercontinental.

Centurion also provide a free upgrade at reservation, though the upgrade is that you pay the price for the room category below the one you want.

At this stage we are leaning towards to MO as last time we stayed in Hong Kong we stayed on the Kowloon side (and didn't see much of the island at all). Also, the cost for the Deluxe Suite is roughly $550 AUD a night which seems competitive (though it is city view, not harbour view). The one bummer about the MO is that there doesn't appear to be a club lounge - does anyone know?

Does anyone have any recommendations or advice?

 

[ajca]

Husband and I are off to Honkers next week. As part of Centurion, we get one free night at the Mandarin Oriental - With Ambassador, I get one free night at Intercontinental.

Centurion also provide a free upgrade at reservation, though the upgrade is that you pay the price for the room category below the one you want.

At this stage we are leaning towards to MO as last time we stayed in Hong Kong we stayed on the Kowloon side (and didn't see much of the island at all). Also, the cost for the Deluxe Suite is roughly $550 AUD a night which seems competitive (though it is city view, not harbour view). The one bummer about the MO is that there doesn't appear to be a club lounge - does anyone know?

Does anyone have any recommendations or advice?

From memory, the Centurion MO free night offer excludes the MO Hong Kong (but not the Landmark). So that may make the decision easier!

 

[markis10]

Which IC, the HK IC is corporate owned and not known for the generous treatment of AMBs, the IC Grand Stamford is better according to many on FT for looking after status guests:

FlyerTalk Forums - Search Results

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/intercontinental-hotels-priority-club-inter-continental-ambassador/627219-ic-grand-stanford-hong-kong-master-thread-merged.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/intercontinental-hotels-priority-club-inter-continental-ambassador/555698-ic-hong-kong-master-thread-merged.html

 

[Sprucegoose]

I have always enjoyed my stays at the Old Regent, now IC Kowloon, Sailbury Road, best views of the Island and close to the star ferry.The MO was always Maggie thatchers fave.

 

[fromheretothere]

Hi there,
My two cents worth - last November I stayed at MO Landmark and Interconti Stamford. IMO the Landmark is one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in.
The room, small house I should say is amazing, every amenity that you could possibly think of. As part of Centurion I also had the BYGO and the service was second to none, they treated me exceptionally well. Travelling on my own the staff really made me feel at home. Breakfast was superb You don't really need a club lounge, there is so much to see and do that you will want to discover everything.
I was extremely dissappointed with the Intercont, its nowhere near the price of MO of course, but for me it was nothing special. MO is Special with a capital S I am sure the Interconti, near the Star Ferry is better but I have not stayed there.
Enjoy HK and all that it has to offer and have a fabulous trip.
BR
Angela

 

[Diesellife]

Stay at both properties for over 20+ times for the past couple of years.
Those 2 properties cater different sector of people and im sure you will enjoy either one of them.

For IC, it has awesome harbour view (180 degree harbour view) and great swimming pool (outdoor in a garden like environment).
I believe this property has one of the best view in the kowloon side.

For MO HK, your stay will be pampered with exceptional service. The spa was also one of the highlight for me.
The service level in this property is flawless and the in room decoration is well appointed.

Both properties offer decent breakfast but is nowhere near exceptional like Four Seasons and Peninsula.

My 2cents: As you are going with your wife, perhaps it is better to impress her with the harbour view?!

 

[Homer]

I love the Landmark Mandarin Oriental (and it is the Landmark, btw, with the Centurion free night offer). As others have pointed out, the rooms are like small apartments and the spa is incredible. There is no lounge though. With a free night plus an upgrade at time of reservation I don’t think you can go wrong. Also did you get the Mandarin Oriental mailer last week (or the week before)? It contained an additional offer but I threw it out so I’m not sure what it was...

 

[haydensydney]

Hi guys - thanks for the comments.

I have reviewed the itinerary from Centurion and we are definitely staying at the MO (not Landmark) and we definitely get a free night at this property. Perhaps its an oversight by the TA, but i'm assuming if I have a itinerary with the free night offer in writing, i'm sure I can't go wrong?

Last time we were in HK we stayed at the Grand Stamford - last time we were there we were at the Grand Stamford and we thought it was fine.

 

[Diesellife]

Also did you get the Mandarin Oriental mailer last week (or the week before)? It contained an additional offer but I threw it out so I’m not sure what it was...

It is an useless offer if you have centurion.

Confirmed upgrade + 1 of the following:
- Spa credit
- Transfer
- & something else (can't remember)

And of course, it doesn't come with breakfast!

 

[Diesellife]

Last time we were in HK we stayed at the Grand Stamford - last time we were there we were at the Grand Stamford and we thought it was fine.

When are you going hayden?
Could you please post the upgrade outcome after the trip. Just wondering what is their upgrade policy and the norm.

 

[haydensydney]

When are you going hayden?
Could you please post the upgrade outcome after the trip. Just wondering what is their upgrade policy and the norm.

Leave on Tuesday. Note that you don't get an upgrade per se - you just pay for a room one level below the one you get. Will post pics / TR upon my return

 

[Diesellife]

Leave on Tuesday. Note that you don't get an upgrade per se - you just pay for a room one level below the one you get. Will post pics / TR upon my return

I often get double or triple upgrade at this property. Not sure it's because of my centurion or my business history with this property... Perhaps both and that's why I would like to know how they treat other centurion.

 

[ajca]

I have reviewed the itinerary from Centurion and we are definitely staying at the MO (not Landmark) and we definitely get a free night at this property.

Is this what's written on your itinerary?

Mandarin Oriental Centurion Rate​

One Complimentary Room Night at Each Participating​

Mandarin Oriental Hotel When Accompanied By One Paid Room​

Night. Benefit Applies Once Per Property Per Cardmember​

Per Calender Year. Blackout Dates May Apply.​

From 1st January 2011 The Following Properties Offer A​

Us200 Spa Services Or Food and Beverage Credit Instead​

Of One Complimentary Night - New York London Miami Boston​

Las Vegas Barcelona.​

I have reviewed the itinerary from Centurion and we are definitely staying at the MO (not Landmark) and we definitely get a free night at this property. Perhaps its an oversight by the TA, but i'm assuming if I have a itinerary with the free night offer in writing, i'm sure I can't go wrong?

It looks like there is another FHR offer in market that doesn't exclude the Hong Kong MO. As long as the front desk can decipher the slightly vague text above when you checkin and understand that they need to give credit for one night's room rate.

I have just booked three nights at the MO Prague under the same deal through CTS. Ended up saving nearly 500 EUR.

When are you going hayden?
Could you please post the upgrade outcome after the trip. Just wondering what is their upgrade policy and the norm.

As Hayden said, the upgrade policy is that you pay for the room rate below the one you select (CTS calls this "Room upgrade at time of booking"). Furthermore, there are numerous stories on FT of Centurion members who have booked Mandarin Oriental stays through FHR and getting one or more additional upgrades when they check in.

 

[Diesellife]

As Hayden said, the upgrade policy is that you pay for the room rate below the one you select (CTS calls this "Room upgrade at time of booking"). Furthermore, there are numerous stories on FT of Centurion members who have booked Mandarin Oriental stays through FHR and getting one or more additional upgrades when they check in.

As I said before, I know the "Confirm Upgrade" is the price of 1 catagory below. But what I am seeking here is the internal upgrade policy of the MO HK.

I have stayed in many MO previously and I found that each property has its own upgrade policy.
For example:
MO Singapore appears to be very tight with the upgrade, they will not provide additional upgrade, apart from the "confirmed upgrade".
MO Landmark seems to be 1 additional upgrade, on top of the "confirmed upgrade".
MO HK - I have been getting 2, 3 additional upgrade, which suggests to me this is out of the norm. So I would like to know whether MO HK is treating the centurion members very well or due to my previous history with them. I have continued to stay there for more than 10 years. The best room that can aim for is RM 2222 - Mandarin Suite!

 

[haydensydney]

Is this what's written on your itinerary?

Mandarin Oriental Centurion Rate​

One Complimentary Room Night at Each Participating​

Mandarin Oriental Hotel When Accompanied By One Paid Room​

Night. Benefit Applies Once Per Property Per Cardmember​

Per Calender Year. Blackout Dates May Apply.​

From 1st January 2011 The Following Properties Offer A​

Us200 Spa Services Or Food and Beverage Credit Instead​

Of One Complimentary Night - New York London Miami Boston​

Las Vegas Barcelona.​

Correct - though the last line re: US200 spa/food isn't appearing. Will let you know re: upgrades over and above the "at booking upgrade" - hopefully it happens to us!

 

[Diesellife]

Correct - though the last line re: US200 spa/food isn't appearing. Will let you know re: upgrades over and above the "at booking upgrade" - hopefully it happens to us!

Also I forgot to mention, you will get $100 spa credit from the FHR.
Please pre-book your treatment because the slots fill up pretty fast.

 

[haydensydney]

Whats FHR?

We really can't wait - I'm in between jobs (waiting for my new job start) so my partner and I decided to get away for some R&R.... and shopping. We have a ten hour layover in BKK on the way back, so we're thinking of going for a 4-5hr spa package in town. Should be a blast. Look forward to writing the TR for my fellow AFF troupe, including my first time on TG in J.

 

[haydensydney]

MO HK - I have been getting 2, 3 additional upgrade, which suggests to me this is out of the norm.

Forgot to ask, what room type do you usually book and what room do you usually get?

 

[Diesellife]

Depends on the purpose of my trip.The upgrade is so random as well.Basic room -> deluxe suite or signature suitesHarbour view room -> oriental suites or mandarin suite Oriental suites -> signature suites or mandarin suiteTo be honest the harbour view room is very good featured and if you are not space conscious person, it should be more than enough.