Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong's comprehensive USD140 million renovation is scheduled for completion this autumn. The property will be completely restored, redesigned and revitalised when it re-opens its doors as Hong Kong's legendary luxury hotel.

A significant component of the renovation will focus on the hotel's 502 guestrooms and suites, all of which will be individually furnished and decorated in exquisite materials and handcrafted finishes, and will feature the very latest guest-orientated technology.

"Our task as interior designers on this exciting project is to ensure that refurbishing Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong generates refreshment and rejuvenation without a change in philosophy. When the hotel first opened its doors in 1963 it was sleek, modern and dramatic for its day, with a marvellous sense of luxury. Over its lifetime the hotel has established itself at the forefront of legendary service and now, 40 years on, it is felt to be the right time to implement a makeover that celebrates its past and takes it into the future," says Jeffrey Wilkes of Lim Teo & Wilkes Design Works, the project's interior designer.

Every decision on the renovation project has been made with this goal in mind. Guestrooms will be altered dramatically in size by the enclosure of the balconies, allowing for a complete re-design of the space. Nonetheless, the design maintains a level of refined luxury and a reflection of the hotel's oriental heritage, which guests of this legendary property have come to expect.

None of the hotel's 68 suites will be alike, with each one lovingly created to reflect a true sense of place, and most offering breathtaking views over Victoria harbour. A new suite will also be unveiled later in the year, dedicated to the memory of Patrick Lichfield, the legendary photographer who was a regular guest of the hotel and the photographer behind the Group's award-winning advertising campaign. The interior designs for this suite are exclusively by Nicky Haslam, who will pay homage to Lord Lichfield's eclectic style and celebrated life. The presidential suite, aptly named the Mandarin Suite, will boast priceless objets d'art and a living room with double height full-length soaring windows overlooking Victoria harbour. Restored furniture from the original Mandarin Suite will be artfully mixed with carefully selected handcrafted pieces sourced personally by the hotel's General Manager. The master bedroom and main bathroom will both increase in size to incorporate a vast en suite bath with views of Hong Kong's cityscape on one side. An adjoining couple's spa suite will offer a private sanctuary for treatment, reflection and exercise.

Each of the rooms and suites will be lovingly dressed with pure linen bed sheets, goose-down pillows, designer bathroom products, fresh florals and exotic fruits. All will have outstanding facilities including two telephone lines, an interactive entertainment system, SMART lighting controls, DVD players, in-room safe, wi-fi high speed internet access and a personal bar. In true Mandarin Oriental style, added details which make a subtle difference have been considered, with the introduction of ipod docking stations and waterproof jogging maps. Multi-lingual butlers will service every guestfloor.

An array of exciting accommodation packages will be announced in June, at which time the hotels comprehensive on-line booking service, www.mandarinoriental.com/hongkong will go live, ready to welcome guests back to this legendary property from the end of summer 2006.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world's most prestigious hotels and resorts, currently operating 21 luxury hotels with a further eight under development in Prague, Hainan Island, China and Riviera Maya, Mexico (2006), Boston (2007), Grand Cayman (2008), Chicago, Las Vegas and Macau (2009). In total, Mandarin Oriental now operates, or has under development, approximately 8,500 rooms in 15 countries with 14 hotels in Asia, 11 in the Americas and four in Europe.

-ends-

Photography of Mandarin Oriental is available to download, in high and low resolution, in the Photo Library of our Media section, at www.mandarinoriental.com

For further information, please contact:

Agency Contact :

Felicity Duke at Ann Scott Associates

E-mail: felicity@annscott.co.uk

Tel: 020 7823 9988

www.mandarinoriental.com/hongkong

Corporate Office :

Jill Kluge (jillk@mohg.com)

Group Communications � Global

Tel: (44) 20 7766 3671

Catherine Martel (cmartel@mohg.com)

Group Communications - Europe

Tel: (44) 20 7766 3677