East Hong Kong: Hong Kong

Hong Kong has become a city saturated with luxury hotels; there is one five-star property after another all promising the stay of a lifetime.  Of course, these types of hotels come with price tags that for most people are simply unaffordable.  This is why, when I discovered that Swire had a sister-property to The Upper House, which is considered a business and budget friendly hotel, I had to check it out and see if saving hundreds of dollars meant making huge compromises when it comes to style, comfort, and service.  A night at the East Hong Kong will only set you back $150, a price that is almost unheard of in major cosmopolitan cities.

Location

East Hong Kong is situated amidst the financial center of Hong Kong.  From the hotel you can quickly get to any other part of the island, the Mass Transit Railway (MTR), and/or the international airport (HKG).  In the surrounding vicinity is some of the best shopping and dining establishments in the city.  On the hotel’s second floor there is even a skybridge that connects guests to the City Plaza Shopping Centre.

The Room

As I made my way up from the modern lobby to my room, I was already incredibly impressed by my glamorous surroundings.  East Hong Kong makes the word “budget” look good.  Each room in the hotel is filled with custom furnishings and fabrics, which have a sleek and masculine feel overall.  My harbor corner room with a view had a King sized bed and was further enhanced by special touches such as a work station and a flatscreen TV.

The Bathroom

The ensuite bathroom features a rainforest shower that is one of the nicest I have ever encountered.  From the shower you have a dazzling view of the city as you scrub clean with an array of Elemis bath products.

The Extras

Throughout Hong Kong you will discover the very best the world has to offer in technology and the East Hong Kong is a perfect example of this.  Every room comes with its own iPod-Touch that is fully loaded with music or you can use it to order room service.  I asked for a pizza one night and it was delivered to my room in less than twenty minutes.

Why It Is Andi’s Pick

I was blown away with my stay at the East Hong Kong.  In fact, I would go as far as to say that it should drop its business and budget friendly label and call itself a luxury hotel.  There was zero compromises here.  This is without a doubt the best kept secret in the city!

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Grand Hyatt Hong Kong: Hong Kong

First Impression

Amidst the bustling markets, crowded noodle houses, and cosmopolitan shopping centers of the Wanchai district, the impressive Grand Hyatt Hong Kong stands as a regal structure of grandeur.  Despite its massive size, you will never feel like just another face, as the employees of the hotel are dedicated to your every need, want, and desire.  The Hyatt chain is one of the most highly regarded brands in the world and this location takes luxury accommodation and service to an entirely new level.

Location

The Grand Hyatt Hong Kong is situated ideally in the very heart of Hong Kong.  It offers unsurpassable views of the stunning Victoria Harbour and is only a five minute taxi ride from Central and Causeway Bay: a part of the city that simply cannot be missed while on vacation.

The Room

The first thing you notice when walking into the room is the view.  The windows beautifully frame not only the view of Victoria Harbour, but also the hotel’s pool and terrace garden and it does not matter what time of the day it is, as you will be awestruck with wonder at the sight in front of you.  The room’s decor is a mix of demure, natural colors with contemporary wood panelling and furniture.  The King sized bed comes with a cosy duvet and plush feather pillows.

Space in Hong Kong is limited, but not at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, where the rooms are spacious and contain everything you would need to have a relaxing and comfortable experience.  Each room features a self-contained workstation with wireless high-speed Internet, a couch with a view of the flat-screen TV, and a kitchen-like area with a mini-bar that has specialty treats from places like Dean & Deluca.

The Bathroom

The bathroom is equally as glamorous, as it is made completely of marble.  There is a large bath with a separate shower filled with luxurious bath products.  There are also robes and slippers waiting for you after you have finished bathing.

The Extras

I highly recommend booking a room with Grand Club access.  Grand Club guests are able to enjoy complimentary in-room Internet and access to the Grand Club lounge, which serves continental buffet breakfast, all-day coffee, tea, and snacks, evening cocktails, and again a buffet dinner with desserts.  Watch the sun set over Hong Kong as you have a glass of champagne and I promise you that it will be a moment you never forget.

Why It Is Andi’s Pick

I love the fact that if you stay at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, you are then only steps away from the Star Ferry Terminal.  Riding on the Star Ferry is one of the best experiences to be had in Hong Kong.  Alternatively, on the days that I felt like staying in, I visited the hotel’s Plateau Spa, which is one of the most exclusive retreat’s in the city.  The Asian-inspired treatments are out of this world.

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 The Upper House: Hong Kong

First Impression

I had never stayed at a Swire property before, however I had heard rumors that they are the best of the best.  Designed by the award-winning and highly celebrated architect Andre Fu, The Upper House, which is part of their collection, was created not only to impress, but to leave you with the feeling that staying there was a life-changing experience.  I did not even need to check into the hotel to already know that I would depart with that sentiment, as I was enchanted from the moment I walked through the front doors.

Location

This luxurious boutique hotel is situated in a historical part of the city with a glorious view of Victoria Harbor and offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong.  It shares the same building space as the JW Marriott, however it occupies the top floors only, hence the name The Upper House.

The Room

Instead of having a lobby, all guests are checked into their rooms with a personal concierge on their iPad.  Not only does this make the experience seem more personal, it is also environmentally friendly.  My breath was literally taken away from me when I walked into my Upper Suite — the view, the ambience, the lighting, the furniture — it was a feast of beauty for my eyes!  The king sized bed has to be the most comfortable bed in all of Hong Kong.

The Bathroom

After seeing my room, there was not a doubt in my mind that anything in the rest of the suite could possibly be better.  Well, I was simply wrong, there was something better: the four hundred square foot spa-inspired bathroom.  The deep limestone clad, free standing bathtub is so comfortable that you feel guilty leaving it to explore the city.  Next to the bathtub is an array of products that make for the ultimate bath experience.  You can choose to press a button next to the bathtub that will automatically lower the blinds, however the glass was designed so that you can see out, but no one can see in.

There is also an option for a walk-in rain forest shower that is stocked with glamorous Ren bath products.  The bathrobes are so incredibly special that I ended up buying one to take home with me.

And there is a spacious vanity area equipped for two people that contains everything you could possibly desire in regards to your bathroom needs as well.  The Upper House gifts each of their guests with an amenities kit that is filled with even more Ren travel-sized bath products.

The Extras

I could write a book about all of the extraordinary details throughout this amazing property.  Although, the best extras are found inside the living room.  In the mini-bar section there is an assortment of food and drinks to choose from, all of which are complimentary.  There is a large selection of coffee table books to browse through while luxuriating on the large L-shaped bespoke couch.  Next to the dining table is an iTouch where you can order room service or select music from the fully-loaded library of songs to play on the speakers wired throughout the entire Upper Suite.

Why It Is Andi’s Pick

It is impossible for me to choose one or even five things that I loved most about The Upper House.  In my humble opinion it truly defines perfection!  To see more about my stay you can watch my video review.

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