CENTRAL STYLE
Pierre Restaurant at Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong (www.mandarinoriental.com) was recently awarded a Michelin star. JW Marriott Hong Kong (www.marriott.com) has refurbished its ballroom and installed digital signage. Refurbishments to its rooms include jack packs and LCD TVs, and will be completed this summer. Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong (www.shangri-la.com) now provides complimentary WiFi in all guestrooms and public areas.

EASTERN DEVELOPMENTS
In nearby Wan Chai, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong (hongkong.grand.hyatt.com) recently hosted the Clinton Global Initiative, a high-profile event for the former US president’s foundation. Heads of state, CEOs and celebrities took over the hotel from December 1 to 3. 






Neighbouring property Renaissance Harbour View Hotel (www.marriott.com) is upgrading alongside its directly connected neighbour, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Eleven floors have now been completely refurbished. Now more modern in appearance and technologically advanced, its light-filled conference facilities and  suites hold up to 700 guests for receptions. The 809-room hotel also shares Grand Hyatt’s impressive pool area. Recent events include functions for Microsoft, Citigroup and Procter & Gamble. 


For smaller groups, Novotel Century Hong Kong (www.novotel.com) will renovate its function rooms mid-year. Plans include a complete refurbishment, and new audiovisual and lighting facilities. The venue seats up to 300 guests for banquets.

Further east in Causeway Bay, Regal Hongkong Hotel (regalhotel.com) has just opened its new meetings facility, The Forum. The basement venue includes two meeting rooms, a small reception area and the hotel’s new business centre. Meeting rooms are equipped with the latest technology and the largest seats up to 170 delegates in theatre style. Nearby boutique property Jia Hong Kong (www.jiahongkong.com) will open a new fine-dining restaurant in the second quarter.

Until its sister property Harbour Grand opens this summer, Harbour Plaza North Point (www.harbour-plaza.com/hpnp) remains the city’s eastern-most five-star hotel. Event facilities can host up to 400 delegates for conferences.

Out west, the contemporary Le Meridien Cyberport (www.lemeridien.com), continues to be favoured by tech-savvy groups.



2009 HOTEL OPENINGS
The New Year has already seen one opening, the 658-room Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott adjacent to AsiaWorld-Expo on Lantau Island. Swire will open a 117-room luxury property at Pacific Place in 2009.

Hyatt Regency returns to the city in March with the New Territories first five-star hotel. Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin will offer 567 guestrooms with views of Tolo Harbour, Lion Rock and Sha Tin Racecourse. Event spaces can hold up to 380 guests for seated dinners. The second, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui, will open in June.

Harbour Plaza’s third Hong Kong property, Harbour Grand opens in Quarry Bay in July.