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elegant porcelain butterflies.
“No other living creature undergoes
such dramatic change as the
butterfly,”said Yang. “Guests feel
rejuvenated after experiencing
a relaxing treatment.” Each room
is named after the word butterfly
in a different language. The hallway
was spacious and the Papillon spa
suite had two tables and an extra
large bathtub.
Strolling over to the restaurants,
I learned that each one offers indoor
and outdoor patio dining. Zest is the
multi-station restaurant located on
the LG level offering alfresco
breakfast, lunch and dinner. Nearby
were whimsical modern ink artworks
by Da Cai. The focus was fish
and inspiration from a quote from
the ancient Chinese philosopher
Zhuang Zi. “The artist reflects on
the nature of how the behavior of
fish resembles that of humans,” Yang
informed me. “Cai also incorporates
her passion for food.”
Inside the Art-Deco-inspired Fifty
8 Grill, I learned that the acclaimed
Michelin-starred chef Richard
Ekkebus oversees this French
fusion menu using the freshest
ingredients with exceptional
kitchen craftsmanship. Inside
the dining room are a few eyecatching art pieces.
Located on the lower ground of
the hotel, the Chinese restaurant
Yong Yi Ting’s chef Tony Lu prepares
healthier dishes. “The food is
presented in a refined dining way,”
stated Yang. The star art piece is
a lady in a traditional one-piece
Chinese dress and a collection
of linked chains hanging down
near silk banners.
There is a private wine-tasting
room situated inside the cellar for
intimate wine-pairing dinners with
regional Jiang Nan cuisine. Using
only the finest and freshest seasonal
ingredients, Chef Lu adds a touch of
modernity to both his presentation
and cooking techniques.
At the end of the tour, we visited
the neighboring tower that houses
service apartments, with studio to
three-bedroom suites for long-term
guests and expats.
After my tour, I learned that
connecting eclectic art with
luxurious rooms and fine dining
appeals to Mandarin Oriental’s
affluent guests.
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