Fodor's Expert Review Hotel ICON
17 Science Museum Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong See on Map
Stylish and eco-conscious, Hotel ICON overlooks Victoria Harbour from the eastern end of Tsim Sha Tsui, on the Kowloon Peninsula. Run in collaboration with Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management, the hotel’s warm service, excellent food, and harbor-view rooms will enhance any Hong Kong stay.
room
Each of the 262 guestrooms and suites feature retro-chic furniture and soothing shades of gray, lounge chairs, and a comfortable desk. The thoughtful touches range from an in-room printer to free minibar drinks and snacks, a portable power bank, plus a complimentary smartphone loaded up with unlimited data to use during your stay. For the best views of Hong Kong’s famous Victoria Harbor and the glittering skyline, ask about the Club 80 Suite. This gorgeous abode provides 280-degree views, as well as Club access, private check-in, and complimentary afternoon tea.
Book a Club room or suite for two nights or more, and you’ll enjoy a complimentary airport pickup in a Tesla Model S so you can arrive in style.
bathroom
Every guestroom comes equipped with a bathtub and rainforest showerhead, as well as aromatic bath products in soothing scents like rosemary and eucalyptus.
The cozy bathrobes are amazing. You’ll want to take these body-length, sweatshirt-style hoodies home with you. Best part: you can buy one for $150.
lobby
The lobby makes an excellent first impression, with contemporary wood furniture and gorgeous natural light. It’s likely you’ll gravitate toward GREEN cafe, straight ahead, which serves up coffee and afternoon tea. The chic surrounds with Asia’s highest vertical garden (sprouting 8,603 plants) as a backdrop should make it easy to forget you’re in one of the most densely populated cities in the world.
Keep your eyes peeled for local artwork from many of Hong Kong’s top talents. There are more than 100 pieces peppered throughout the property.
pool
Perched on the 9th floor rooftop, the pool offers fantastic views that will make you feel like you’re swimming amongst the skyscrapers. Inside, there’s a pool bar with draft beer from local brewery Young Master Ales, as well as pool and foosball tables.
spa
The Angsana Spa by Banyan Tree takes its cues from traditional Thai therapies that target deep pressure points. While the Angsana signature massage might be the calling card, there are also nutrient-packed options such as an Avocado Smoothie body mask treatment—a delicious blend of avocado, rice flour, yogurt, milk, and honey. If you book a multi-treatment package such as the two-hour “Glow” experience (including a sesame and honey scrub, and massage), you can ask for the VIP Treatment Room, featuring a private Jacuzzi.
Checking in early, or catching a late flight? Ask about the complimentary Timeless Lounge. Right by the spa, travelers on awkward schedules can take advantage of comfy lounge chairs, snacks, drinks, and harbor views.
gym
The spacious gym overlooks the pool and the harbor, so workouts are never boring. There’s a nice selection of cardio training machines, as well as free weights, yoga balls, a TRX machine, and a Smith Machine squat rack.
dining
Hotel ICON is home to three restaurants—GREEN, for casual bites, brunch, and afternoon tea; The Market for all-out buffet action; and Above & Beyond, an award-winning Cantonese restaurant on the 28th floor with mesmerizing harbor views. From delicate dim sum to spot-on wine pairings at dinner, Above & Beyond lives up to its name. Not-to-miss signatures include the crispy chicken, wok-fried lobster with egg white and black truffles, honey-glazed barbecued pork, and mustard-wasabi wagyu beef.
Guests staying in Club rooms can enjoy a complimentary sampling of dim sum (and excellent western options) at Above & Beyond for breakfast, as well as complimentary afternoon tea and happy hour at the stylish club Lounge, adjacent to the restaurant.
drinking
The bar is on the 28th floor, located inside the eclectic, retro-chic Lounge—adjacent to Above & Beyond. This library-like setting combines intimate nooks, high-top communal seating and quality cocktails. The bartenders exceed expectations in everything from classic negronis to a creative Galaxy—made with vodka, Chambord, Cointreau, cranberry juice, and a splash of champagne.
The Lounge is reserved for Club guests during the day, with complimentary drink service from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
LOCATION
Getting Around
The hotel is right next to a convenient bus station, which services all of Kowloon Peninsula and ferries visitors through a tunnel to Hong Kong Island. It’s also convenient to take the metro—though it requires a longer walk. Alternatively, the hotel provides complimentary electric shuttle bus transfers to Tsim Sha Tsui, which is well-connected via the historic Star Ferry, metros and buses. Taxis and Ubers are also an option. While the hotel is relatively well-connected, the location is one downside. You’ll have to hoof it 15-20 minutes west to get to the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui and the closest metro stop is Hung Hom, disconnected from the more convenient Tsuen Wan line.
Restaurants
The Tsim Sha Tsui neighborhood is brimming with world-class restaurants, from Nobu, Rech by Alain Ducasse, and two Michelin-starred Yan Toh Heen (15-minute walk)—all at the InterContinental Hong Kong—to local noodles at Kai Kee Noodle (10-minute walk), contemporary hot pot and cocktails at The Drunken Pot (8-minute walk) or Peking duck at Spring Deer (10-minute walk).
WHY WE LIKE IT
If you appreciate art and design, Hotel ICON is a stylish oasis in one of the busiest cities in the world. From the thoughtful details in the rooms to the tech-savvy touches, award-winning dining options, and friendly staff, Hotel ICON impresses from the moment you step in the door. The hotel earns bonus points for its forward-thinking environmental solutions (including 100% electric transfer services), but the million-dollar views of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor seal the deal.
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