This is the smell of luxury. There is a distinct smell. And this is it. Ozone @ The Ritz Carlton, Hong Kong. Ozone is currently ranked as the highest bar in the world. Shocking to me, because quite honestly I thought the highest bar in the world would most likely be in Dubai.
The day before we came to Ozone to enjoy our very expensive drink, we witnessed the overlook of Hong Kong Island from Victoria’s Peak. That view is extraordinary. I’m having a hard time deciphering if New York City and Hong Kong even compete with one another, or if they are in completely different categories. From Victoria’s Peak you can see the ICC tower (where Ozone @ RC is located) on the other side of the bay. It is massive. I mean that building is like the avatars of buildings. The views in Hong Kong have been a bit saddening because of how poor the air quality is here. There is constant smog in Hong Kong. Being born and raised in Colorado and living now in Austin, Texas (where the air quality is ranked a 24 – excellent), pollution is very noticeable to me. The Universe was on our side this night. The winds picked up, and smog cleared out. We had a crystal clear view from 118 and floors up.
On walking up to Ozone, you enter the Ritz-Carlton of Hong Kong first. Ritz-Carlton hotels and their motto very heavily resonate with me. They are the crème de la crème. Before my last career I didn’t even know what the Ritz-Carlton was. Their motto is “We are ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen.” They are known to have the gold standard of hospitality. The idea behind the concept of an “unshakeable credo” as RC calls it, is that the duty of all employees is to get the job done. Whether you are the general manager of the hotel or a housekeeper, if the linens need to be changed, it is up to you to be sure that that duty is followed through to the end. This is a valuable lesson in life and in all business. This is a lesson I learned and practice every single day in my life and my career.
There is a reason people make bucket lists. Because when you achieve one of them, when you cross it off your list – it triggers something inside of you. Walking into the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong and being reminded of that very distinct smell of luxury absolutely reignited something inside of me. Zach and I have already had conversations about our financial aspirations when we finish our travels. This is not an aspiration that ever leaves my mind. I am naturally a motivated person. I have trained myself to become that way. Motivation is a skill. It can be taught. It can be learned. I have trained myself to be motivated. I practice daily. The smell of the Ritz-Carlton is the reward for that motivation. The smell of luxury (to me) is the reward for that consistency. I am a highly motivated individual with far-fetched dreams. But when I enter places like the Ritz-Carlton of Hong Kong, I know those dreams will be accomplished. They already are. I mean. We are at the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, aren’t we? The next time I enter this place, we will be dining and reserving a room.
Bucket List Item #15: Have a Cocktail at the Highest Bar in the World, Ozone @ The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. Check.
-AS @travelingsnow