This is the perfect example of how misleading photos and descriptions can be, at times. I was under the impression that the hotel was entirely renovated and, as this is not a heritage or historical building, I was expecting new furniture, fixtures, technology etc.
Unfortunately, I have found this not to be true, however, the hotel sensibly uses the wording ''redesigned and refreshed'' on its website. This translates into the following:
- there is still old furniture in the rooms ( for instance, in my room there was a very used and scratched coffee table - I am sure, of no historical value)
- a very tired looking velvet couch
- a flat TV set (LG), hardly new generation, although I am not an expert, however, most other Mandarin Oriental hotels have state of the art Bang & Olufsen TV sets
- air-conditioning has been untouched - probably as old as the building (25 years), has not automatic setting and quite noisy (a disturbing humming, even when set on low speed)
- wall tiling of the bathroom does not match the rest of the design
- there is still an old, wobbling lamp, which again seems out of decor
As for the new stuff, it is definitely a matter of personal taste - to me, most of it seemed of rather basic quality, for instance the new business desk chair is covered in a plastic material, definitely not leather.
This is also the first Mandarin Oriental I stay at, which does not have predominantly natural bathroom amenities - it features Molton Brown.
The arrival experience is also in sharp contrast with other Mandarin Oriental hotels - a lackluster lobby, connected to the only restaurant of the hotel, hence the smell of food (I was unfortunate to check in at lunch time).
Service is of a good five star standard, being consistent throughout all departments.
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