Hong Kong’s new Ritz-Carlton is lavish. Very lavish. Perhaps what you’d expect from the world’s tallest hotel; it’s elegant, grand, opulent and oh-so luxurious. The ghost of Liberace may have been haunting the hotel’s interior designers in some of the rooms and spaces, but overall there’s a show of restraint that affords it the sort of seven-star extravagance you’d expect in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
Restraint, however, was clearly not indicated in Masamichi Katayama’s brief for their bar and nightspot, OZONE. The Japanese architect, whose agency Wonderwall are famous for designing super-cool bars, restaurants and shops around the world – in particular their exquisite Bape stores – has let rip in resplendent fashion on the decidedly impressive watering hole, that encompasses the majority of the hotel’s 118th floor and terrace.
Themed around an “Edenic Experiment” – a man-made environment of nature in an imaginary world – Katayama has boldly lashed together expensive materials, cutting-edge lighting and decadent furnishings in a kind of Marcel Wanders’ dreamworld meets Star Trek style; the outlandishly imaginative space breaking countless conventions and rousing senses by the bucketload. Brave, fun and downright exhilarating, OZONE is unadulterated opulence in its purest form… ( Retail Design Blog)
It's a little scary, the night is foggy and I can only see clouds. Better look inside, the elevator is chic and very quick, my ears hurt, the music is loud and the crowd very hype. I am slightly lost. The jet lag, the height, where is my mum?
The Maitre D' sees my discomfort, with a smile elegantly takes me to see the magnificent private dining rooms, leather panelling and heavy crystal ceiling lamps are sumptuous attraction. I need a drink. This is too chic, overwhelmed I relax under the enchantment of a House-made Infused Vodka made with Nutmeg Flower, Chili, Lemongrass, Saffron, Star Anise, Pink Peppercorn and Vanilla.
I am really high, very high among the sharp stones on the floor and the colorful dimmed lights. Masamichi Katayama you are a genius and in heaven will you be able to create next?
Joelle's Picks
The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, S.A.R., China
OZONE: The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
Photos: Wonderwoll
Joelle Maslaton Oster
Founder of Joelle Magazine and Studio Joelle, an interior design practice in New York. She writes on art, design and the places in between.
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