W Hong Kong Brings It

W Hong Kong

While in Hong Kong we opted to stay at the newly opened W Hong Kong.  There were a number of mitigating factors in this decision, not the least of which was our ability to redeem SPG points to pay for the room.  Thanks Dad!

The hotel was everything one would expect from the W brand, and more.  Unlike its sister properties in the US (which are normally more intimate affairs), W Hong Kong is among the tallest buildings in the area (it’s located in West Kowloon, right on the waterfront).  There are two restaurants, and while we tried only one (Kitchen, for both breakfast and dinner, with great results), I’m sure both stand-up to scrutiny.

Front Desk at W Hong Kong

The décor is tops and features an expansive collection of post-modern artwork and installations from international artists of acclaim.  Video installations play on the floors of the elevators that relay guests from the first floor entry to the sixth floor lobby, faux bookshelves line the walls in the elevator bays on the guest floors, and the lobby and rooftop pool feature enormous murals.  It was all quite fierce.

Fantastic Suite at W Hong Kong

The best parts of the experience at W Hong Kong were our suite and the service.  Sometimes with boutique hotels one runs into the dilemma that the service comes-up short because the employees fall into a category I call “too cool for school” wherein they feel like they are doing you a favor by merely acknowledging you.  Not so at W Hong Kong.  Our wish was their command.  By our second day, we were being addressed by name by all of the employees (neat trick).  “Welcome back, Mr. Shulman.  Did you and Mr. Mitchell require any help up to your suite?”

Bathroom at W Hong Kong

Best of all was our suite.  More of an apartment, the so-called “Fantastic Suite” lived up to its moniker and was everything these two world-weary travelers could have wanted as a place to escape the hustle-and-bustle of Hong Kong.  At roughly 700 square feet, it had a compact and brilliantly laid-out floor plan, consisting of a hallway leading from the foyer to the living room, an intimate bedroom past the living room with an enormous Bang & Olufsen audio/video set-up (perfect for those who wanna veg-out after a long day of shopping and eating), a nice walk-in closet, and a spectacular bathroom connecting the bedroom with the entry hall.  Deep bay windows lined the walls of the living room and bedroom, while the living room featured a work-station, a bar, and a 52” LCD HDTV (which we never got around to watching, because why leave the bedroom?).

Digital Do Not Disturb signage at W Hong Kong

All told, the W Hong Kong is a modern option to the more stately hotels in Kowloon, such as the Peninsula or Intercontinental.  It is wonderful for those seeking something a bit more hip and fresh, while still being able to pop down to the lobby and shop in the attached Elements Shopping Mall, with its Chanel, Lanvin, Salvatore Ferragamo, Prada, Gucci, Valentino, Fendi, Montblanc, Giorgio Armani, Diane von Furstenberg, HMV, and more.  Heck, there’s even a multiplex movie theater and an ice skating rink!  Get into W Hong Kong.