Trendy Mondrian Hong Kong brings the pulse of the city into the hotel
The colourful, design-forward hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui embodies all that is exciting and edgy about Hong Kong.
If you are seeking a deep dive into Hong Kong’s electric energy and cosmopolitan charm, look no further than Mondrian Hong Kong.
Located in dynamic Tsim Sha Tsui, this luxury boutique hotel brand which is owned by Accor joint venture Ennismore, encapsulates the urban flair of Kowloon with its dynamic, artsy design. The hotel’s lobby sets the scene with a dramatic double-storey wall mosaic featuring scenes of underwater dancers amid seaweed and there are many more cutting-edge art and installations by local and international artists sprinkled through the hotel.
The 40-storey building has 324 rooms, including two bay view suites, with many rooms offering jaw dropping views of the iconic Victoria Harbour and island skyline thanks to its unique triangular shaped architecture.
The rooms also evoke Mondrian’s ethos of bold yet tasteful design through the use of splashes of colour on upholstery and bespoke carpets as well as the artful placement of groovy mid-century inspired furnishings like a side table with striped legs and curved lounge seating.
The hotel’s two food and beverage offerings - its flagship bar Avoca and contemporary Italian steakhouse Carna by Dario Cecchini - also punch above their weight. Avoca is helmed by local legend Joe Villanueva, who has set out to redefine the art of mixology with creative new cocktails inspired by some of Hong Kong’s most loved dishes and iconic local flavours.
Inspired by the trend of savoury cocktails, he has concocted moreish drinks like the LGM Mary, made with macerated tequila blanco with black bean chilli oil from Lao Gan Ma while the Sesame and Peanut Butter Sour is based on a street food favourite and is their take on the whiskey sour. Most interestingly, the menu comes with a box of spray bottles so guests may spritz a “taste” of each cocktail as a preview of the tipple.
Over at Carna by the famed eighth-generation Tuscan butcher Dario Cecchini who was featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table, its nose-to-tail philosophy can be credited to Cecchini’s ethical approach to dining. So, besides steakhouse favourites such as dry-aged Bistecca alla Fiorentina and Bistecca Toscana, diners can also expect up to 18 different cuts of meat including beef cheek, shank, tongue, bone marrow, flat iron and Etruscan cut. Other must-try dishes include the buttery beef tartare which is prepared tableside and deep-fried beef meatballs with bone marrow.
With the lively neighbourhood of Tsim Sha Tsui awaiting just beyond the hotel’s doors, the Mondrian has also found a way to leave its creative mark on the streets. Just across the road is The Corner Shop, a former currency exchange store that the hotel has bought over and reimagined as an art space for exhibitions and events.
Then, as one wanders through bustling street markets and meanders through the nearby luxury boutiques and traditional shops, there is one more pitstop to make. Head to the nearby Tsim Sha Tsui public pier to hop on the Aqualuna junk boat, famed for its traditional red sails, for a cruise across the harbour. It is one of the last boats to be handcrafted by local artisans and is quite possibly the most atmospheric way to soak in the city’s intoxicating skyline views.
