The Panda Hotel: Unique and memorable stays in Hong Kong that go beyond the usual

Some hotels offer excellent service – Panda Hotel aims to offer that, and more.

A number of hotels in Hong Kong and the region pride themselves in offering unparalleled customer service: modern, polished, and highly detailed. The problem is, so are several more. As competition gets more cutthroat, hotels are challenged to differentiate and provide distinct and unique experiences for customers to plan more visits. The Panda Hotel considers itself to be one such hotel that manages to offer such a decidedly memorable experience, which, according to Raymond Lau, Panda Hotel director of human resources, entails “engaging with all our guests with positive service attitude and team spirit.”

A member-hotel of Hong Kong-based Hopewell Holdings Limited, Panda Hotel is considered to be the first sizeable hotel in the Tsuen Wan district, and one of Hong Kong’s largest with more than 900 elegant guestrooms and suites, and four dining outlets. “Located in a district that is full of history but yet is contemporary – the pathway that connects local and international – Panda Hotel is well-known as one of the most emblematic buildings in the bustling heart of Tsuen Wan,” shares Steffi Leung, Panda Hotel director of catering. Leung also notes that the Panda hotel exterior, with its iconic panda painting, is a favourite amongst travellers for photo shoots and the like.

Location is not a problem as the hotel is accessible to various points in the city. “Panda hotel serves as a landmark in the heart of Tsuen Wan, a developed area and key gateway between the Kowloon and the New Territories. We are conveniently located in a comprehensive transport network supported by the Mass Transit Railway, buses and taxis with 30-minute or less access to the Hong Kong International Airport and the AsiaWorld-Expo,” she says.

Thrilling venues and culinary delights

Inside the hotel, guests will discover an array of event venues to suit all occasions. The Panda Grand Ballroom is widely acclaimed for its glamorous ambience, advanced audio-visual (AV) system, and wi-fi technology. “This elegantly spacious venue accommodates up to 1,100 guests and with over five set-ups available for multipurpose events, giving you maximum flexibility,” says Leung.

Another venue that may interest more adventurous guests is the CRYSTAL, a 5,742-square feet function room designed by awarded architect Philip Liao. Recently renovated, the CRYSTAL now boasts of a unique, colour-changing LED (light-emitting diode) crystal wall. Like the Panda Grand Ballroom, the CRYSTAL is also equipped with professional AV facilities and professional catering services. “It is a perfect venue for entertaining friends, hosting a wedding ceremony, scheduling a business meeting, or even a large-scale seminar,” notes Leung. This comes in addition to a stylish VIP room and a starlit outdoor terrace on the 7th floor.

Aside from events, dining at the Panda Hotel is also quite a treat with four sumptuous dining outlets to choose from: the Michelin-recommended Chinese restaurant YinYue, the award-winning European restaurant Balcony, the all-day dining Panda Café, and the Sports Bar – all with global cuisines curated by a team of honoured chefs. YinYue, which commands dazzling panoramic city views outside floor-to-ceiling curtain windows, is led by award-winning executive chef Leung Yiu-kei. YinYue makes the ideal choice for private dinners or other more formal gatherings.

Correct attitude, skills, attributes

How does Panda Hotel, which believes people are its greatest assets, manage to operate and deliver such meaningful and memorable experiences for its guests? The secret, according to Lau, lies in instilling the proper philosophy or standard of service in its associates. “Hire for correct attitude, and train for the required skills, and align all associates with the required attributes,” explains Lau, citing caring and commitment, communication and engagement, creating an impression, innovation and responsibility, passion and service attitude, and teamwork as these required attributes.

2017 is shaping up to be a busy year for Panda Hotel with several plans in the pipeline, specifically in the areas of food and beverage, rooms, and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferencing, and exhibitions). “We will continue to actualise our service philosophy and strike to go beyond borders in service excellence,” remarks Leung.