Hong Kong. Teeming metropolis, financial center, a glass and concrete jungle. These are just some of the images that come to mind when thinking of the former British colony. It is also a gourmet paradise, being the second Asian territory just after Tokyo to be visited by Michelin inspectors when its inaugural guide was launched in 2008—making food one of the major reasons why travelers throng its pavements.
Here, the streets heave under the weight of seven million people while over 300 glossy skyscrapers reach into the sky. Is there room for a weary traveler looking to enjoy the city while still having his or her own breathing space?
Thankfully, Hong Kong isn’t short of luxurious hotels that come with an entire suite of facilities to retreat to. In these plush rooms, the city and its demands fall away and tranquility becomes reality.
Here, the streets heave under the weight of seven million people while over 300 glossy skyscrapers reach into the sky. Is there room for a weary traveler looking to enjoy the city while still having his or her own breathing space?
Thankfully, Hong Kong isn’t short of luxurious hotels that come with an entire suite of facilities to retreat to. In these plush rooms, the city and its demands fall away and tranquility becomes reality.
One of Four Seasons Hong Kong's guestrooms. Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Hong Kong.
Four Seasons Hong Kong
Located on Hong Kong Island, the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong boasts rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of Victoria Harbor, Victoria Peak and Kowloon. It is home to two Michelin award-winning restaurants. Spacious and air-conditioned, all guest rooms are decorated with a fusion of Western and Chinese elements, and are equipped with a 42-inch flat-screen TV, a DVD player and an iPod dock. Some rooms include a Nespresso machine or specially formulated toiletries from Paris. The marble en suite bathroom comes with a deep soaking tub and a separate walk-in rainshower.Four Seasons Hong Kong is a 15-minute walk from the trendy restaurants and pubs at Lan Kwai Fong and Soho and is also within a 10-minute walk from The Central Pier, where guests can hop on a ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui and other islands. Hong Kong MTR Station is a convenient 10-minute walk through the International Finance Center (IFC), directly linked to the hotel. Pampering massage treatments, steam rooms and saunas are available at the spa. Guests can exercise at the 24-hour fitness center, or check e-mails at the 24-hour business center. The hotel also provides laundry and babysitting services. Lung King Heen serves authentic Cantonese cuisine, while Caprice features an open kitchen serving French food. Blue Bar and the Lounge offer a daily breakfast for guests. In the evenings, enjoy a cheese and wine pairing experience at Caprice Bar.
A guest room at The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong. Photo courtesy of The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong.
The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong
Sky-high luxurious rooms with free Wi-Fi are located on floors 102 to 118 of The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong. Towering over Victoria Harbor, it’s home to the highest bar in the world and five restaurants—two of which hold Michelin stars. The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong in the International Commerce Center is directly located above Kowloon Station along the Airport Express Line. It takes 20 minutes to Hong Kong International Airport and is a short 3-minute train ride to bars and restaurants at Central. The Tsim Sha Tsui shopping arcade is only 10 minute taxi ride away.Offering panoramic views of Victoria Harbor from its large windows, each room offers comfortable beds covered with 400-thread count linens and feather pillows. The private bathroom comes with a separate rainshower and a bathtub. A flat-screen TV, Blu-ray DVD player, iPod dock and Nespresso machine are all included. Even without leaving the property, guests will be spoilt for recreational choice with a pampering massage, a heated indoor pool and well-equipped gym. Added convenience is provided with laundry and concierge services.
Awarded with one Michelin star, Tosca Italian restaurant serves innovative Italian cuisine, while two-Michelin-starred Tin Lung Heen restaurant serves authentic Cantonese fare. Almas Caviar Bar offers a luxurious pre- or post-dinner rendezvous, serving an ultimate selection of the world’s finest caviar. All-day dining, buffet lunch and dinner, as well as afternoon tea, are available at Cafe 103. Guests can also enjoy a wide selection of buffet breakfast, organic salad bar for lunch, traditional afternoon tea, a la carte menu for dinner, and dessert buffet at The Lounge & Bar. Beautiful views of Victoria Harbor as well as refreshing beverages and tapas can be enjoyed at Ozone, the highest bar in the world.
The pool at InterContinental Hong Kong. Photo courtesy of the InterContinental Hong Kong.
InterContinental Hong Kong
Five-star InterContinental Hong Kong Hotel enjoys a waterfront location. It features a spa, a large infinity pool overlooking Victoria Harbor and two celebrity restaurants which offer 24-hour in-room dining. Rooms are elegantly decorated and feature floor-to-ceiling windows, a 37-inch flat-screen TV, Bose DVD/CD home entertainment system and iPod docking stations. Rooms are also equipped with Handy smartphones, which provide unlimited local calls and international calls for eight countries, and unlimited 3G mobile internet access. Guests can enjoy Hong Kong’s skyline from the three infinity spa pools. The InterContinental’s I-Spa offers hot tub, sauna and massage services, while the 24-hour fitness center offers free yoga and tai chi classes. MICHELIN-starred Yan Toh Heen Restaurant serves Cantonese specialities, while the four other restaurants offer French, Japanese and Asian favorites. The InterContinental Hotel also features excellent international buffets. The hotel is just a stroll from the Star Ferry Terminal and Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station. It is next to the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Museum of Art and Hong Kong Cultural Center.
The grand interiors of The Peninsula. Photo courtesy of The Peninsula Hong Kong.
The Peninsula Hong Kong
Opened in 1928, The Peninsula Hong Kong offers 5-star service and old world charm on the edge of Victoria Harbor in Tsim Sha Tsui. A Roman-style indoor pool, 12,000-square-feet spa and eight award-winning restaurants and bars are all located in this luxurious hotel. Oriental elegance meets modern luxury in rooms, which overlook the hotel's courtyard, Victoria Harbor or Kowloon. Marble bathrooms are fitted with a spa bathtub. A Blu-Ray player, LED swivel TV and free HD movies are provided. Rooms have free Wi-Fi and also feature an interactive digital bedside panel, LED touch-screen wall panels and wireless telephone with VOIP technology (aka, free long-distance calls). The Peninsula Hong Kong is five minutes’ on foot from Tsim Sha Sui Ferry Terminal. From the airport, travel in style with the hotel's fleet of Rolls-Royce limousines, MINI Cooper S Clubman or a private helicopter. At the Peninsula Spa, relax with a full body massage or soak in the hot tubs. There is also an on-site shopping center, and well-equipped function rooms. Guests can also stay in shape at the fitness center, or get professional services at the business center. The Felix rooftop restaurant features modern European cuisine while English afternoon tea is offered at The Lobby. Other options include French, Chinese, Swiss and Japanese dining.
Sink into one of these plush beds at Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong. Photo credit: Mandarin Oriental.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
Overlooking Victoria Harbor, the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong offers elegant rooms with 37-inch flat-screen TV, 10 dining options including MICHELIN-starred restaurant Pierre, a spa and fitness center. Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong is located in the heart of Central, a major business and shopping district, and is a 40-minute drive to the airport. Spacious and elegant, rooms at Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong feature clear floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic city and harbor views. Modern comforts like an iPod dock, flat-screen TV and minibar are included. Guests can make use of the steam room, jacuzzi and sauna at the spa. It offers traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic treatments. The fitness center hourses an indoor heated swimming pool. Mandarin Grill + Bar serves fresh seafood and Western dishes, while Cantonese specialties can be sampled at Man Wah. All-day dining is available at Cafe Causette. Mandarin Oriental Hotel also has two bars and a cake shop.
The interiors of Island Shangri-La. Photo credit: Island Shangri-La Hong Kong.
Island Shangri-La Hong Kong
Soaring 56 floors above Pacific Place Shopping Complex in Central, the Island Shangri-La Hong Kong offers luxurious accommodations and a MICHELIN-starred restaurant. A pampering spa, outdoor pool and 24-hour gym are available. The Queensway Tram is situated just in front of Pacific Place. Island Shangri-La offers a free shuttle service to Central, Wanchai and Admiralty MTR station. Elegantly decorated with Oriental-style furnishings, the spacious rooms at Island Shangri-La feature full-length windows overlooking Victoria Peak and Victoria Harbor. Enjoying 24-hour butler services, each room also comes with free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and minibar. Island Shangri-La's health club features Hatha Yoga classes, indoor and outdoor spa pools, as well as relaxing massage treatments. The hotel also provides convenient guest services, like laundry and car rentals. Award-winning eateries at Hong Kong Island Shangri-La include two-MICHELIN-starred Summer Palace Cantonese Restaurant. International and Asian cuisines can be enjoyed at the hotel's five other restaurants and Lobby Lounge.
Gorgeous views from Conrad Hong Kong. Photo courtesy of the Conrad Hong Kong.
Conrad Hong Kong
The Conrad Hong Kong is directly connected to Pacific Place, a prestigious shopping and entertainment complex. Apart from stylish rooms, it houses award-winning food and beverage options, an outdoor heated swimming pool and a 24-hour fitness centre. Spacious and contemporary rooms overlook views of Victoria Harbor and Victoria Peak. Each is equipped with a flat-screen TV, DVD player and minibar. The elegant marble bathrooms have a bathtub and hairdryer. Conrad Hong Kong is a five minute walk from Admiralty MTR Station in Hong Kong's Central Business District. With the MTR South Island Line, it takes only four minutes from the hotel to Ocean Park or 10 minutes to explore the south side of the Island. It is a 10-minute ride to the famous Ladies Market in Mongkok by subway and a 30-minute drive from Chek Lap Kok International Airport. Award-winning Nicholini's serves authentic Italian dishes, while Golden Leaf Restaurant offers Cantonese specialities. Other dining options include international buffet spreads at Garden Cafe and wine at Pacific Bar. The outdoor heated spa pool provides a relaxing atmosphere to unwind after a busy day. Conrad Hong Kong also offers sauna, steam room and massage services.
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