Fan base

By the time the ’80s rolled along, the grand hotel had adopted its iconic fan logo and begun to expand in the US, with plans to open other properties elsewhere around the world. And although Kitt had once sung her hit I’m Just an Old-Fashioned Girl in its environs, the Mandarin Oriental was shifting with the times.

The Chinnery became open to both men and women in 1990, and the year 2000 saw the launch of the star-studded “I’m a Fan” campaign, featuring celebrity fans of the hotel group such as Stanley Tucci, Lucy Liu, Dame Helen Mirren, and recent Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh and Karen Mok. Still, the hotel in Hong Kong – by then reaching its fourth decade – was in further need of a modern shakeup. So it was that in 2005, the Mandarin Oriental made the daring decision to shut its Hong Kong doors for nearly a year as it underwent a massive US$150 million (HK$1.18 billion) renovation. At the same time, the brand opened its second Hong Kong property, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental.

When the flagship reopened in 2006, it had several exciting new offerings for guests. Under the eye of veteran designer Sir Terence Conran, the Mandarin Grill + Bar had been given a new look, while a partnership with champagne brand Krug yielded the world’s first Krug Room. The following year would also see the opening of the Mandarin Spa, now one of the city’s top wellness destinations.

In 2013, the hotel went all out in celebration of its 50th anniversary, with a massive gala attended by the likes of Dame Helen Mirren, Vivienne Tam and Maggie Cheung. A photo exhibition reflected on the Mandarin Oriental’s history, and a stunning video projection onto its façade shared the story of its construction and explored the changing face of Hong Kong over the years. Michelin-starred chefs were also invited to create a series of special dining experiences – a tradition being revived this year for the hotel’s 60th anniversary.