At a glance:
- Located on the 67th to 79th floors of the UpperHills skyscraper in Futian district
- 162 guest rooms ranging from 56 to 76 square metres
- Amenities include toiletries by artisan perfumer Diptyque and Dyson Supersonic hair dryers
- 8 restaurants and bars, including the award-winning The Bay by Chef Fei and the trendy MO Bar
- Gym, spa, indoor pool
Mandarin Oriental, Shenzhen? That’s in the Futian district, right?
Yes! Situated in the heart of Futian, in fact. The hotel occupies floors 67 to 79 of the striking UpperHills skyscraper, offering breathtaking views of the business district, the rest of the city, and even the lush peaks of Hong Kong, no matter where you stand.
So, it’s more of a business hotel?
Actually, both international execs and vacationing families will feel right at home here. The place keeps things contemporary and sophisticated without formality.
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Whether staying for business or pleasure, we recommend booking a room with club access to enjoy the sophisticated executive lounge on the 78th floor and all the perks it comes with: breakfast, all-day snacks, and evening aperitifs.
Let’s cut to the chase. What’s the room like?
Space comes at a premium in this part of the world, but the Mandarin Oriental isn’t too bothered about that. Rooms are among the largest in the city and our Premier View Room, outfitted in tones of champagne and blue, felt decidedly spacious.
Flooded with natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows, the room featured a dedicated lounge area by the window perfect for curling up with a book. Next to it, a telescope stood ready for stargazing. The bathroom didn’t let the side down either. It included a sleek soaking tub, two vanities, amenities from Diptyque, and a walk-in rain shower boasting stunning views of the city.
A Dubai chocolate bar from the hotel’s recently renovated MO Cake Shop made for a thoughtful welcoming, along with other goodies.
OMG, the world needs to normalise Dubai chocolate as a room amenity.
We couldn’t agree more.
What’s there to do around the hotel?
Shenzhen is exciting, upbeat, fun – but it can sometimes feel overwhelming too, sprawling across nearly 2,000 square kilometres. Luckily, if you don’t want to go far, the area surrounding the hotel has lots to occupy you.
Set in the upscale Futian business district, the Mandarin Oriental is connected to the UpperHills shopping mall, which features an array of shops and dining options. There’s also an indoor, fun-packed playground at the mall, Meland.
[See more: Here are some of the best things to do in Shenzhen]
Craving some time out in nature? Head outside for a kite-flying experience at Lotus Mountain Park, near the hotel.
Since Shenzhen is China’s Silicon Valley, make time for its high-tech thrills, like having a drink delivered by drone to Bijia Sports Park or test-driving autonomous cars at the Nio, Tesla, and Huawei centres at the Upperhills mall.
What about dining?
With eight restaurants and bars, you might not even stay long enough to experience all the dining options at the hotel. During the day, bask in the sunlight over afternoon tea at Lian Lounge, which feels like a natural extension of the park it overlooks. The walls are adorned in lush vertical greenery.
Come evening, you’ll want to enjoy an exquisite modern Cantonese meal at The Bay by Chef Fei, helmed by the same chef who earned Jiang at the Guangzhou property two Michelin stars. Don’t miss the wok-fried xisha lobster and the fish maw soup.
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There are also Spanish tapas and cold sangria to be had at Tapas 77, a favourite for convivial evenings with friends, and French fine dining by Italian-born chef Alessio Durante at Opus 388 (so named because it’s perched 388 meters above Shenzhen) – perfect for date nights.
Dining, check. Drinking?
MO Bar has become a Shenzhen institution. On a Thursday night, this trendy spot was buzzing with a well-heeled crowd, bartenders busy behind the stick, all set to a savvy R&B-leaning playlist. Head mixologist Tiger Chang’s latest menu riffs on the colours associated with China’s traditional solar terms to deliver inventive craft cocktails.
We love the moody, industrial-chic design and the clever layout that spills onto a rooftop area, perfect for breezy summer nights. If you prefer to stay inside, grab a window seat, though these come at an extra cost: they’re in high demand!
You must have checked out the pool too?
You can’t skip the pool here, it’s a thing of minimalist beauty – a 20-metre pool beneath a soaring 30-metre ceiling. With a zen playlist setting the mood, it’s for the indulgent wallowing you know you deserve.
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Equally impressive is the gym, which features an array of high-tech machines. Simply swipe your room card on each machine to track your workout – the system counts your reps, weight lifted, and calories burned. How cool is that?
So, no excuse to skip the gym then. And if I fancy a post-workout massage?
You’ll be in the right place. Once you’re done swimming laps and lifting weights, you’ll have earned your time at The Spa. Try one of Mandarin’s renowned East-meets-West treatments, or the signature Spirit of Shenzhen. It’s performed on a warm, soft quartz sand bed, designed to detoxify the body. You’ll walk out feeling light as a feather.
At the spa, you can also stock up on 111Skin products, the London brand loved by celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Aniston.
OK, I’m sold. Your parting plug?
“In the ever-expanding Greater Bay Area, some experiences can’t be replicated. From its prime Futian location to exceptional restaurants and bars, and of course its famously top-notch service, the Mandarin Oriental, Shenzhen caters to stylish urban dwellers, executives, and wellness seekers alike.” How’s that sound?
Address: Block A UpperHills, No. 5001 Huanggang Road, Futian, Shenzhen
Phone number: (86) 755 8802 6888
Email: [email protected]
