The Mandarin Barber

Absolutely must try if you would like to have a relaxing afternoon being pampered by Shanghai pedi experts! Men or women would love this experience !

The Mandarin Barber is one of my most enjoyable regular splurges in Hong Kong. I’ll fully admit that I am not a spa or fancy haircut guy, but the Mandarin Barber (on the second floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel) is worth the hefty pricetag — $ 440 for a men’s haircut, plus a nice tip.
The small, comfortable waiting area is overseen by friendly and helpful staff — the kind who remember your name after just a few visits and always say how glad they are to see you again. If you’ve arrived early for your appointment you are quickly offered coffee, tea (Chinese– or English-​style) or water while you wait in the plush leather chairs. Protip: You can swap that coffee for a beer if it’s after 5pm and you’ll get a draft served in one of the metal mugs that are famous from the Captain’s Bar downstairs. The environment is quiet and relaxed, and while you never feel rushed I have also never had an appointment start even a minute late. They seem to avoid the back-​to-​back scheduling of some other barber shops that leave you waiting long past your scheduled time.
Through the waiting area is a small area with old-​fashioned-​style barber chairs and barbers in white jackets. Freddie is my guy, but I have also gotten excellent haircuts from Max and Allen if Freddie is unavailable, and can recommend them highly as well. Once you are seated in the comfortable chairs and offered a magazine. Although the chairs are in somewhat close quarters, the relaxing vibe continues with hot towels and generally muted, though friendly, conversation. The barbers are always attentive and often check in to make sure you like what they are doing.
Perhaps the best part? It rarely takes even 30 minutes from walking in the door to walking out with a fresh haircut. Both efficient and relaxed, the Mandarin Barber is really my mind of place!