W Hong Kong

A hip, young hotel that unsurprisingly appeals to a hip young clientele, the W Hong Kong is a luxury property that aims to please with its slick designer interiors and an attitude that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Located within the luxury shopping mall Elements in Kowloon, it’s a see-and-be-seen kind of place with an aspirational vibe that permeates its every public space from the rooftop pool to the incredible spa.

room

Labelled with an array of flowery adjectives like ‘Wonderful’, ‘Fabulous’ and ‘Spectacular’, rather than say, ‘nice’, ‘nicer’ and ‘nicest’, the rooms here are an antidote to the busy public spaces. Soothing colors of neutral whites and black with pops of jade are lifted by the mood lighting that lends a natural glow to the spaces. Considerably more spacious than some similarly priced alternatives, even the smallest room features a settee and writing desk with better views available in the more ‘Fabulous’ rooms.

YOU SHOULD KNOW The best views can be found in the corner rooms, which offer twice the amount of window coverage and sweeping vistas over the water. The suites offer bathtubs.

bathroom

Where would a cool hotel be without a flat screen TV in its bathrooms? Nowhere is the answer, which is why the W Hong Kong keeps an LCD screen at the end of its tubs for guests’ enjoyment. Immaculately decorated in swanky grey slate tiles, the open plan bathrooms are soothing, spa-like spaces that complement the rooms.

The open plan bathrooms don’t afford guests a huge amount of privacy so won’t be to everyone’s taste.

lobby

Check-in at the W Hong Kong is smooth amidst the bustle of the reception, reached via the cavernous main lobby some floors down. Big with the Hong Kong buffet brunch/lunch crowd, the hotel’s cool reception has a steady trickle of non-guests heading to the restaurant.

pool

High up on the 76^th floor, the rooftop pool (or Wet Deck) is a special place to swim. More about the leisure than the lengths, the pool is surrounded by tables at which drinks are served to those admiring the impressive panoramic views.

spa

The Bliss Spa is an oasis away from the bright lighting, shiny surfaces and bold colors of the rest of the hotel. A soothing place for a range of treatments from simple facials to anti aging skin processes, the rooms look onto views of the harbour and the city skyline.

gym

The well-appointed gym on the 73^rd floor delivers on the views and remains open to guests 24-hours a day. Guests can also request a personal trainer or yoga instructor for one-on-one workouts and wellness.

dining

Guests can experience some top-notch Cantonese cuisine at the Sing Yin restaurant, but for an indulgent experience, the Kitchen is the W Hong Kong’s primary dining experience. Rightly labelling itself ‘Hong Kong’s premier buffet’, the W Kitchen tempts guests into giving way to gluttony with its array of giant shrimp, lobster, sashimi, salads, cold meats, sweet treats and much more laid out like a buffet-cum-art installation. Aside from the buffet, the restaurant serves an international a la carte menu.

Views from Kitchen are an added incentive to visit the buffet.

drinking

The chic Woo Bar serves amazing cocktails and drinks in a space that’s all mellow, low hanging dangly lighting and modern art. It’s a space that delivers the quintessential Hong Kong lounge bar experience with that W flair.