Mandarin Oriental, Shenzhen

I only came in for a meal at the Chinese restaurant, not an overnight stay. The hotel looked stunning, the food was fantastic, and the service was exceptionally good. Such an amazing experience.

I booked through American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR), whose terms say a one-category upgrade is available at check-in if there is availability. I wasn't told during booking that an upgrade to a suite category was excluded. There was a suite available when I checked in, but the hotel wouldn't provide a complimentary suite upgrade and instead asked me to pay extra for a basic suite. I've used the FHR program extensively at Mandarin Oriental properties around the world, and this doesn't match what I've experienced there. What bothered me most was both the refusal to honor the benefit I expected and the team's lack of initiative in trying to find a solution. I've supported the Mandarin Oriental brand for a long time and am a loyal Fan Club member, so I found this disheartening. It doesn't fit the brand standards or service philosophy I've consistently encountered elsewhere.

The rooms look out over some of Shenzhen's most iconic areas, and being near beautiful gardens with easy access to Hong Kong added a lot to the stay. Breakfast had remarkable variety, and the restaurants were exceptional, especially the truly impressive Spanish one. Service was thoughtful and precise from start to finish, with an outstanding concierge team that made every request easy. A memorable stay.

Chef Fei's dim sum is a real show of creativity, with something special to tempt your appetite every time. The signature fish congee was the standout, and the truffle char Siew rice rolls were decadently good. There was also the crispiest roast pork, served with icing sugar for the plating, plus enormous dough fritters big enough for breakfast all week. The Bay has that opulent MO character in full. I'd come back for dim sum next time I'm in Shenzhen.