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Checking In: Mondrian Hong Kong
- Rob Garratt
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
HONG KONG
Yes, the name might remind you of a certain seminal 20th century artist, and no – they didn’t steal it. Think of this as the ultimate homage: the elemental, architectural aesthetic of Piet Mondrian – the pioneering Dutch abstract painter behind those big, bold, primary-colour cuboid patterns – so inspired the designers of the first Mondrian hotel, they put his name outside. Sitting pretty on LA’s Sunset Strip since 1985, that notorious celebrity hangout was later immortalised in rhyme by rappers 50 Cent and Akon. Now an established boutique chain with properties in global hubs on three continents, Mondrian Hong Kong’s opening at the end of 2023 marked the group’s first entry into greater China. Abu Dhabi and the Maldives are next – both welcoming outposts in 2026.
All photos courtesy of Mondrian Hong Kong.
The Welcome
The first thing I notice after arriving at the Mondrian’s narrow lobby – signalled by sleek storeys-high illuminated vertical text viewable from the other end of Hart Avenue – is the staff uniform. No stuffy waistcoats or anonymous mandarin collars here. All the busy souls behind the pair of neat front desks are dressed in loose-fitting khaki trousers and casual, sporty jackets, over plain white tees. It’s the kind of cosy, utilitarian, Uniqlo-ubiquitous garb the on-the-go role demands, and speaks to the hotel’s modern, unpretentious post-globalised ethos. In short, we loved it – even before the harried staff greeted us with a warm and genuine smile.
While we waited, we gazed, and what the Mondrian’s lobby lacks in size, it makes up for in wow-wattage. At first glance, the small space appears as little more than a thin, functional passageway to the lifts. But look up and discover how its seemingly irreverently thrown-together clash of eras and aesthetics – Renaissance tile art, curtains flowing down two whole storeys, gleaming neon tubes – work in a way that can only have been deeply thought about.
The Room
Lights tell a story at Mondrian, in subtle but significant ways. Local stories. Those neon tubes in the lobby weren’t an accident – but a powerful reminder of Hong Kong’s fading neon heritage. Finding my bathroom lit by the same neon-style tubes, intertwined through the main mirror, brought a genuine, ahem, glow to this cold heart. The bedside lights, meanwhile, are housed in paper shades recalling the traditional festive lanterns spotted around town, especially at seasonal holidays, while the main light source is a modern chandelier shaped like the bauhinia flower at the heart of the Hong Kong flag.
It’s truly impressive to see an international brand making such considered nods to the city it’s rocked up in – and these are only half the story. The walls feature artworks by local talents, with pieces from Angel Hui’s Swimming in Blue and White series – depicting vintage Chinese porcelain in two tones on shiny gold canvases – hanging above every bed, while Lau Chun Tao’s untitled, whimsical grandma-style plates hang on the wall.
All of these granular touches are so diverting, it’s almost easy to overlook the greatest asset of my Premier Harbour View Room – its unrestricted views across Victoria Harbour. Thanks to the tower’s smart, folded-style exterior design, the L-shaped diagonal room boasts 180-degree views from the far corner. That’s where the chandelier hangs – above a small, cute red couch, stool, and kooky monochrome coffee table in keeping with the eclectic and award-winning interior decor.
The Signature Restaurant
There’s a compelling reason for even Hong Kong residents to pay the Mondrian a visit – Avoca, an innovative bar/restaurant/lounge, where once more local touches, reverence of small details, and an unabashed sense of unpretentious fun rule the day. (It’s one of two in-house dining concepts – the other, a steakhouse called Carna by Dario Cecchini.)
Avoca’s most innovative (and IG-friendly) touch is the cocktail scent bank, housing 13 perfume dispensers with sprayable samples of every city-specific signature cocktail on the menu – so you can essentially sniff and lick before placing an order. Naturally this encourages much debate and distraction (ideal for an awkward early date?) and also much lingering, to sample them all (good for any relationship status). If that sounds a tad gimmicky, then we’re happy to report all the cocktails we tried were both moreish, and had something new to say – and we drank through close to half the menu. Special note goes to the sesame and peanut butter sour, which pairs the garnishes found on classic rice paper rolls with rye whiskey; the Lap Yuk Old Fashioned, complete with upcycled Chinese bacon milk chocolate; and LGM Mary, a homage to the classic Bloody Mary incorporating the iconic Lao Gan Ma chilli sauce.
The food is a merry melange of flavours and traditions, served in a sociable mix of small-, medium- and large-sized dishes – although no one was going near my decadent lobster and crab roll served, in this case, open on a springy slice. Another highlight was the vegetarian spaghetti, with shredded yellow and green courgette marinated in herbalicious sauce, topped with velvety avocado, crispy kale, crunchy apple and salty feta to ensure no two bites tasted the same. Sadly the roasted cauliflower steak was on the rarer side, and a struggle to chew through – not a problem presented by the stunning grilled octopus.
The Morning After
As someone who always finds the hotel buffet breakfast a test of self control I’m destined to fail, I adored Mondrian’s al la carte concept, which offers a few signature sets, or the opportunity to pick and choose smaller items, each served individually. Bang for buck, the local set – complete with a barbecue pork bao, congee and fried noodles – hits the solo spot hard, and I saw many a hungover head nursing the epic breakfast burger (next time!). However if you’re clearer headed and have time to linger among company, curating a culinary cultural cross-section of small plates to share ensures that even breakfast becomes an event.
The Last Word
The Mondrian Hong Kong is smart and classy, with a thoughtful artistic aesthetic yet unpretentious vibe that makes it ideal for young couples or lone travellers looking to plant themselves amid the bustle of TST – and for convenience and visceral street delights alike, it’s hard to imagine a better spot for an urbanite to be based this side of the harbour. Don’t leave without paying a visit to the 40th-floor covered rooftop at sunset, for more stunning views and bar-style seating, ideal for soaking in the cinematic panorama of the city this international chain pays such loving homage to below.
Address: Mondrian Hong Kong, 8A Hart Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong | Website: mondrianhotels.com/hong-kong | Phone: ＋852 3550 0388 | Email: hongkong@mondrianhotels.com | Instagram: @mondrianhongkong | Facebook: Mondrian Hong Kong
Disclaimer: The writer was invited by Mondrian Hong Kong to experience the property. All observations, assessments, and opinions expressed are based on the writer’s independent experience and professional judgement.
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