Hong Kong certainly has a stunning location that can compete with any world-class city: dramatically set around Victoria harbour with skyscrapers, mountains, and The Peak soaring in the background.
Most of the action is centred on the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island (though for space and greenery head for the New Territories and islands such as Lama.) If it’s high-end shopping and eating you’re after, Tsim Sha Tsui on Kowloon and Central on “the Island” have designer label boutiques, the glitziest shopping malls and glossy restaurants.
What about the most luxurious hotels, you may ask. Most are conveniently located in either Tsim Sha Tsui or Central. But even with the space constraints faced in the city, the top hotels have managed to carve a concrete jungle oasis for its patrons. Here’s our pick of presidential suites, from classic to contemporary, traditional to brand new, in which to take respite in this densely populated, fast-paced metropolis.
The Landmark, Mandarin Oriental
Price: HK$68,000 (S$12,086)
The newest suite on the block, the presidential suite at the boutique Landmark Mandarin hotel has just been revamped as The Apartment and as such has the feel of a very chic residence (it is 1,950sqft aft all). You’ll walk into a spacious entry hall which leads to a vast open plan living area that spans lounge, study, dining and bar. Joyce Wang’s clever design keeps the eye in the room with gorgeous furniture and furnishings of buttery leather and sumptuous velvet in soft blue and caramel. The look is best described as Art Deco meets Mad Men glamour. Natural wood floors and hand-tufted rugs add to the homely feel (albeit a very stylish one).
The suite also features the Landmark’s trademark huge bathroom with a circular, seven-foot bath (call for a bath experience with bubbles and Champagne) and his-and-hers, light sensor operated, walk-in wardrobes. For those with children, a connecting room can be arranged for.
Come cocktail hour, you’d be stirring and shaking your own drinks, for the in-suite bar has every conceivable utensil, along with a selection of Japanese whisky and boutique gin. The full-service kitchen also includes Gaggeneau appliances, a fridge, wine cellar (stocked with Dom Perignon) and cute touches such as a Smeg blender and mixing bowl.
The Landmark Mandarin Oriental
15 Queen’s Road
Central
Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2132 0188
InterContinental Hong Kong
Price: HK$98,000 for the Master Suite, HK$118,000 for all five bedrooms (S$17,400, S$21,000)
The Presidential Suite at InterContinental Hong Kong is the largest in the city at a mammoth 7,000sqft. The hotel, located in Kowloon, sits right on the water’s edge and boasts a view of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong island. And the duplex space, designed by Singaporean firm LTW, is designed to have a panoramic view each of the five bedrooms.
Among its many features, the suite includes a dining room seating up to 12 (order from any of the hotel’s restaurants including Nobu and Rech by Alain Ducasse) and a private gym. The bathroom has a shower with a view of the harbour and spa-like “rainforest experience”, plus sauna and steam room.
Want even more? There’s a 2,500sqft wraparound roof terrace complete with a showstopper infinity pool and jacuzzi. Private tai chi or fitness sessions are offered on the terrace or in the gym. Hair and spa services can also be arranged.
InterContinental Hong Kong
18 Salisbury Road
Kowloon
Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2721 1211
The Peninsula Hong Kong
Price: HK$128,000 (S$22,750)
Also on the Kowloon side, the grande dame of Hong Kong hotels has had a little nip and tuck recently including the presidential show piece: the Peninsula Suite.
Sitting 26 storeys above ground, the suite with its minimalist deluxe decor has a full view of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong island skyline. And there are high ceilings with full length windows, along with a telescope and private balcony from which to enjoy it from.
For an 89-year-old, The Peninsula Suite is surprisingly modern. In a nod to the hotel’s mix of traditional and 21st century, the sitting room features both a grand piano and floor standing hi-fi speakers. More techy touches can be found throughout with everything from lighting to do not disturb signs controlled by LED touchscreen tablets.
There’s also a serious screening room with an 85-inch, flat-screen, Blu-ray plasma television, surround-sound speakers, amplifier and subwoofer, as well as automated, reclining seats.
A chauffeur driven Peninsula Rolls Royce is on call 24 hours for Peninsula Suite guests.
The Peninsula Hong Kong
Salisbury Road
Kowloon
Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2920 2888
Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
Price: HK$78,000 (S$13,860)
The presidential suite at “the old Mandarin” is aptly named the Mandarin Suite. The hotel’s appeal is its classy, old world Chinese charm, where all the furniture in the suite has either been expertly restored or is tastefully handcrafted. Priceless objets d’art and antiques are dotted throughout including Gerard D’A Henderson murals adorning the walls of the sitting room, a Qing Dynasty court robe and a Tang-style horse.
It’s not all old school though. The ensuite bathroom off the master bedroom includes a steam room and bathtub with hydrotherapy jets. There’s also an adjoining couples’ spa room for treatments. Additional guests can be housed in the connecting bedroom.
Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
5 Connaught Road Central
Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2522 0111
The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
Price: HK$139,000 (S$24,700)
The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong occupies the top – that’s the 112th to 118th – floors of the ICC skyscraper and the hotel’s sultry Presidential Suite is on the dizzyingly high 117th.
Occupying just under 4,000sqft of space, the place is slinkily designed in smoky tones of marble and mirrors with a large sitting room. The separate dining area features a round table for eight under a stunning, contemporary chandelier.
If you’re in need of pampering you’ve come to the right place; the bathroom houses an oversized square tub, a massage table and huge shower area. The towels and bathrobes (along with the pillowcases) are monogrammed. Added to all that there’s a vast walk-in closet – for your shopping haul from the gargantuan Elements mall which the Ritz sits on top of – and a private sauna for relaxing your shopped out limbs in afterwards.
Ps: The hotel’s spa worth a visit too.
The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
International Commerce Centre
1 Austin Road West
Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2263 2263
