A trendy sanctuary at the heart of Hong Kong

Passion for the hotel business propels The Mercer forward.

Founded by Dorsett Hospitality International, The Mercer is an award winning boutique hotel located in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong. Decorated with exquisitely tasteful contemporary design, guests can relax in the spacious and luxuriously furnished rooms that provide unparalleled comfort and privacy as well as a generous workspace away from the offce. Surrounding the area are fnancial offces, banks, art galleries, PR frms, auction houses, wine companies, model agencies, publications, antique shops, jewelry shops and the like, which make the hotel perfect for business
visits.

Like many successful business establishments today, The Mercer had humble beginnings. Rebecca Kwan, The Mercer’s General Manager, says that the hotel two years ago is different from ts current grandiose today. “When we first started the hotel in Sheung Wan two years ago, the area was unknown to even local people. It is diffcult for taxis to fnd, and guests is yet to know the area is a gem,” Kwan shares. Therefore we showcase the unique art and culture neighbourhood with antique shops, art galleries and designer boutiques around; also the close proximity to Central and Sheung Wan premier offces, luxury shopping area, which is a perfect accommodation for both business and leisure stay.
“Moreover, The Mercer is a completely new name which name after the street we located in (which is only 100m). So basically, no one knows about it. We started from scratch, building trust and confdence with our guests by providing excellent service and reasonable rates to attract them,” she adds. These best practices have become channels by which they promoted the business. Word of mouth as well as referrals from guests eventually popularized the boutique hotel.

Since then, business has improved signifcantly. “It has developed as an alternative for customers who do not want to stay in traditional 5-star, big chain hotel with standard service and design. They can enjoy the same luxury, spaciousness, and convenience in a more personalized and trendy boutique hotel with its own character,” says Kwan.When asked what makes The Mercer different from all other similar establishments in the industry, Kwan shares that its perfect location, well-thought amenities on a spacious layout, as well as the hotel’s experienced and well-trained staff provide guests value for money accommodation. Hotel guests can fully enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, buffet breakfast, minibar, and local calls, fresh fruits as well as freshly brewed coffee and tea are served free throughout the day. The hotel equipped with an outdoor swimming pool, a 24-hour gym, and the famous Sushi Shikon. This Japanese restaurant was awarded the Michelin 2-Star on its second month since opening and just recognized as 3-Star recently. Its mysterious Omekase menu, where the chef serves the best of his creations for the day, is continuously creating a buzz among dining enthusiasts in the city. Bright, vibrant, and fully-functional, the air-conditioned guestrooms are surrounded with glass panes. Each room is equipped with an iPod dock and a fat-screen TV with cable channels. Provided in personal kitchenettes are nespresso coffee machines and a selection of Ridgeway tea
bags.

In order to make their service more personal, Kwan shares that they try to get more details about their guests before their arrival, such as their purpose of stay and the company or business they’re associated with. The hotel guests are also encouraged to communicate their concerns directly to Kwan. She emphasizes the customer experience and comment is important to the hotel. Both positive and negative reviews are proactively taken into account in order to build top-notch customer service. In fact, these customer suggestions are the basis of all constructive changes done in the hotel. Not only is The Mercer striving to achieve utmost customer satisfaction, they are also striving to be socially responsible. In order to reduce their carbon footing and help alleviate global warming, the hotel is an active participant in the Friends of the Earth’s Tree Planting Challenge. Furthermore, they have also been supporters of the green lifestyle by recycling plastic bottles as well as changing all forms of hotel lighting into LED. Apart from that, hotel is also supporting Unicef’s Change for Children. All these are part of a continued effort to make a meaningful contribution to the society
and the environment.

The hotel business is a healthy mix of passion and enthusiasm. These qualities are even more important in running boutique hotels. “We try to be more interactive and provide more area information to the guests, so that they can discover something new every time when they stay with us,” says Kwan.

Fast facts:
• Dorsett Hospitality International (HKEx Stock Code 2266) currently owns and manages 18 hotels in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia; with 11 more opening within the next 2 years in Mainland China, Hong Kong and United Kingdom.

• There are three brands under Dorsett Hospitality International including d.Collection featuring a series of boutique hotels, e.g. The Mercer; Dorsett Hotels & Resorts comprising upscale Dorsett Grand and mid-scale Dorsett; and value-led Silka Hotels.