Arrival
Perched atop the 79-floor Upper Hills skyscraper in the heart of the Futian business district, Mandarin Oriental Shenzhen marks the latest genus among her siblings in Southern China since the highly anticipated opening during the Covid in January 2022 with ambitious design and attentive service. I alight the comfy sedan after a chauffeured journey from Mandarin Oriental Macau, enroute Hong Kong with a pause at the Cafe Causette for a business gathering, and step into the minimalist ground floor reception where the entire concierge awaits with impeccable courtesy.
Whisked through the en vogue Karesansui garden and the emblamic crystal curtain, I am ushered into the naval color elevator carriage with a pleasant vertigo. Either it is the hypnotizing anti-gravity excitement or the felicitous freshness from the massive flower bouquet, an unparallel luxuriating sensation prevails and marks an enjoyable arrival. The swift lift then opens to the airy and architectural splendor of the lobby on 78th floor. There is an axial flow about the Mandarin Oriental Shenzhen: the horizontal stream of minds from the lobby through to the club lounge and high tea salon; the vertical wonder of the epic 30-meter-tall sky roof above the in-door swimming pool.
Neo-orientalism
The 178 rooms and suites are among the largest in the city and breathe ultra residential luxury in the coherent naval hue. The entry level rooms are so sizeable that any 21st century travelers would be awed by the vain, generous light chromatic wooden walk-in wardrobe and a creamy tone marble bathroom. The unhindered vista of the iconic skyline of the city and lushness of the Bijia Hill nearby conjure a splendid bleisure backdrop. Amenities and electrical gadgets are the trendiest, I am impressed by the ubiquitous nautical blu theme in every unexpected turn, from the elevator landing, cashmere bed throw to the dental kit pack.
The hospitality eclat continues into the Oriental Suite, where curated Shang Xia furniture adorns the specialty accommodation and epitomizes the craftsmanship and comfort aligned with the Mandarin Oriental espirit. The director of rooms, Vincent, and the guest experience manager, Natalie, volunteer to showcase the virtuosity of unpacking and wait on me with some most trivial whims. I pour myself some fragrant rock tea as the winter sunlight dims into twilight and unwind into the pampering world of burgundy hue and glittering brass against the permeating navy elegance, a neo-orientalist nirvana. The separate dining area and pantry is another superlative feature of the suite. It is simply too late to relocate my entire family from Macau for a joyous gathering, and I flip through the in-room dining menu on the tablet and order a healthy Scandinavian style solo dinner. To my amazement, the doneness of the seared salmon is just perfect. The ravishing novelty of such an haute treatment and avant-garde orient-occident aesthetic enlivens my sensations, yet the sojourn remains Mandarin Oriental - blissful and reassuring. Dissipation continues into the wet area, the soaking bathtub is deep and sensuous, and in an unmistakably west meeting east minimalism. I finally dive into the massive bed with a pronounced Japonais accent and then drop the curtain. Effortlessly Shenzhen, where the charm springs from the boldness and the newness with zero baggage of the imperialist reminiscence in Hong Kong or the socialist complexity in mainland. My dreams tonight are destined to be eclectically futuristic.
Essence
The soft day light casts down on the soft-spoken couple seated next to me at breakfast. I overhear the quotidian chatter about Lunar New Year celebrations and nostalgia and wait for the usual iced Americano. Lest there would be any inconvenience during the festive season, Natalie comes and ensures my stay is flawless. The amical chitchat revolves around the status quo of hospitality geography in the mainland, and the exciting opening of the Mandarin Oriental Qianmen.
“Shenzhen is such a city of vibrance and audacity, the Mandarin Oriental Shenzhen marks a new attempt for the group to resonate with the gen Z lifestyle without compromising any Mandarin Oriental heritage. Also Shenzhen becomes an attraction to nearby visitors mainly from Hong Kong and Macau, and yet it still full of the Southern Chinese grace and culture. My team and I always endeavor to deliver a memorable guest experience, and we are passionate about it.” says Nathalie.
