News

The Mira Hongkong redefines hotel stays

16 Sep 2009

Most hotels undergo a refurbishment. The Mira Hongkong, which stages a grand opening tomorrow, September 17, is the result of a two-year US$65 million transformation.

Previously known as Miramar Hotel – a landmark in the Tsimshatsui area of Hongkong – the 493-room property “is a completely new product,” said Dirk Dalichau, its general manager and vice-president of Mira International. “We stripped down to the concrete; we replaced everything.”

Cutting-edge design and technology have been made to blend seamlessly in the guestrooms and public spaces, offering what Dalichau described as a new template for accommodation in the Hongkong. “Majority of our guests appreciate the huge improvement although we know there are some who won’t come back, preferring the traditional hotel model.

“We now want to appeal to the crowd – those in fashion and media; those who appreciate modern art – that before didn’t have the choice of a unique alternative.”

Corporates, however, remain at the core of The Mira’s client mix, Dalichau stressed.

“We’re still catering to the business traveller, who we’ve seen also visits Hongkong for leisure, bringing his family as well. The Mira addresses both these aspects.”

Aware of an increasing marked preference for personal space, the hotel has allocated 12 percent of its total room inventory for suites. “This is quite a high number for any city,” observed Dalichau, a veteran of several international hotel assignments. “The demand usually comes from our American and European guests, who stay several days and want to make the most of their visit, combining work and pleasure.”

Hotel management has gone even further to create eight specialty suites enhanced with terraces on the fifth floor where the rooftop garden is also located.

Breaking the mould of sameness, guestrooms and suites feature red, green and silver accented schemes, while on The Mira Club executive floor, units come in purple. Clients are asked to choose when booking. Design furnishings, led by the Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair, add to the funky ambiance. And all the bells and whistles in technology are present, including a state-of-the-art PC and entertainment centre, 42-inch LCD TV, Blu-ray DVD player, Bose iPod dock, internet access that's both wireless and wired and a laptop-charging safe.

For networking purposes, a 1,393sqm pillarless ballroom stands at the ready to host 800 guests, equipped with lighting controls to play up company logos and branding aides. Seven breakout venues in the hotel also boast similar enhancing hardware. The rooftop garden and area around the indoor swimming pool provide refreshing mixer backdrops.

Dining has likewise received a twist the Mira Hongkong way with European specialties at Whisk, the Japanese-infused buffet at Yamm and modern Cantonese at Cuisine Cuisine among others.

For more details on the hotel, visit www.themirahotel.com

Margie T Logarta


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