InterContinental Hotels: Priority Club & Inter-Continental Ambassador - Holiday Inn Express Hong Kong Soho from Sep/15/2012 - First LEED hotel?

This hotel seems to be in a good location, SOHO area (83 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan Hong Kong) and wide open award availability 15000 points or 5K+70USD, plus free breakfast.

It looks like a modern high-rise hotel in the SOHO area and would be the first hotel with double platinum of Green LEED certificates. I have never stayed in a hotel like this. It's kind of cool how google map shows the construction of the site. It seems like the opening has been pushed back several times. Anyone knows any insight, reviews?

I think you mean 5k + $70

Forget about the free breakfast - I read some reviews on TA for the HIE in Causeway Bay and people are definitely not fond of the breakfast. HK is a eating paradise and there are tons of great places to eat around HIE Soho.

I was just looking at this property as well for my 5 night stay late November. Can't seem to find any reviews yet. Has anyone stayed here?

I was just looking at this property as well for my 5 night stay late November. Can't seem to find any reviews yet. Has anyone stayed here?

Was also looking at this location. I don't think you will find any reviews as it looks like a new hotel from the google earth street view.

It seems like they are opening on Sep/15. Any takers to review this hotel first?

What I want to know is:

1. How is the free breakfast?
2. How does the LEED cert affect the quality of stay, such as shower water pressure, lighting, heating, AC, etc.

This is from the website:
To achieve this, the design and construction of the building need to be "Green" concerned and oriented on sustainability, water efficiency and energy.

I just tried a dummy booking for this weekend and rooms came back as bookable. So it must be open?
* just tried again - in fact no rooms come up for this weekend! Prob isnt open yet...as prev. noted

It's a new hotel and it's planned to open Sept 15.

What is a LEED hotel?!

What is a LEED hotel?!

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

Here is the link from Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadership_in_Energy_and_Environmental_Design

I just tried a dummy booking for this weekend and rooms came back as bookable. So it must be open?
* just tried again - in fact no rooms come up for this weekend! Prob isnt open yet...as prev. noted

A few weeks ago I booked some nights in May 2013, as I should be attending an exhibition in HK then, and the booking was confirmed. The price of HKD 1200 (+ 10% tax) should increase as this int'l show closes in.

The Causeway Bay one has to be my favourite HIX anywhere hands down, mostly because of its location (the vast majority of them being in the middle of nowhere!). It's true that breakfast is poor, but with stays of 1 to 3 nights I've never had the need to eat anywhere else.

I'm not that familiar with Sheung Wan, but the subway station is nearby, so I'm looking forward to trying it, and I'll be glad to read your reviews about it.

I booked four nights in mid-october on cash and points. I will report back after the stay, if the hotel is open by then. 5k PC + 70USD per night :cool:

So I dont know HK at all but this hotel has just the right amount of points for me to book.

As far as location is it pretty ok?

So I dont know HK at all but this hotel has just the right amount of points for me to book.

As far as location is it pretty ok?

Yep as long as you don't have tons of bags to drag around.

You need to take a taxi to get there. The location is uphill and not close to any public transportation.

The night life is kool there

You need to take a taxi to get there. The location is uphill and not close to any public transportation.

The night life is kool there

There is no underground right outside the hotel but it's not far away, slight uphill - although not as steep as the hills in San Francisco :D

Does it have scenic views or do I really have to stay on the Kowloon bay to get them? HK prices seem so very high!

Does it have scenic views or do I really have to stay on the Kowloon bay to get them? HK prices seem so very high!

Don't expect any view, if you want views take the one called HIE Kowloon East - with status and luck you might be able to get a seaview room.

I had the harbour view when I stayed at IC GS

I had the harbour view when I stayed at IC GS

Of course you get harbour view in that hotel! What I meant was that I don't think there is any harbour view rooms at HIE Soho.

There is no underground right outside the hotel but it's not far away, slight uphill - although not as steep as the hills in San Francisco :D

Thanks Nacho, thats what I thought. HK is so expensive that I couldn't turn down the 5K +$70/night.
- I looked at the map and it is maybe 3-4 blocks from the Sheung Wan station so not bad at all
- will folks really pay $200 usd/night for this HI express?
- looks no frills but looks like being in Soho is a good place for eating and just walking around.
- after getting out of the Airport Express I should just take a cab there huh?
- I thought about Kowloon East, as it is new too but isnt it far away from the action? Or would you consider it given the two hotels: price location value?

Thanks for all the advice.

Thanks Nacho, thats what I thought. HK is so expensive that I couldn't turn down the 5K +$70/night.
- I looked at the map and it is maybe 3-4 blocks from the Sheung Wan station so not bad at all
- will folks really pay $200 usd/night for this HI express?
- looks no frills but looks like being in Soho is a good place for eating and just walking around.
- after getting out of the Airport Express I should just take a cab there huh?
- I thought about Kowloon East, as it is new too but isnt it far away from the action? Or would you consider it given the two hotels: price location value?

Thanks for all the advice.

Definitely SOHO. I have no idea which airport bus goes there, but I'm sure there is one going close to there - airport buses covera big area in HK. I never take airport express because it's too expensive.

The HIE Kowloon East is right above an underground station and a mall.

Yes the HIE in Causeway Bay costs around $200. HK hotels are famous for the insane prices.

There are a lot of nice places to eat close to HIE Soho - I'm thinking about staying there too on points because it's cheap now (newly opened). It won't be like this next year - I'd expect 20k next year.

I booked on points for 5 nights, late November. Looking forward to reading reviews from anyone who stays (once opened.) This will be my first time in HKG so hoping this is a good central location to use as a base to explore the city.

I booked on points for 5 nights, late November. Looking forward to reading reviews from anyone who stays (once opened.) This will be my first time in HKG so hoping this is a good central location to use as a base to explore the city.

It's a ok location, it's not the centre of everything but for 15k a night it's a bargain.

They are now taking bookings starting on September 29th. The opening has been pushed back two weeks, OP said that the date has been changed several times :(

Now open!

http://www.hiexpress.com/hotels/us/en/hong-kong/hkgsh/hoteldetail

I am eagerly awaiting a review...I have an upcoming reservation.

I'll be in HK soon. If someone finds a BRG please PM me and I'll write a review. Thanks.

I'll be in HK soon. If someone finds a BRG please PM me and I'll write a review. Thanks.

Getting BRG in HK nowadays would be a miracle - good luck in finding sites using HKD.

Bumping this in case anyone has actually stayed at this property yet. I am seeing a rate of about 1000HKD per night during my upcoming trip which is pretty good. Right now I am deciding between this property and the Kowloon East properties.

Bumping this in case anyone has actually stayed at this property yet. I am seeing a rate of about 1000HKD per night during my upcoming trip which is pretty good. Right now I am deciding between this property and the Kowloon East properties.

It all depends on where you'd like to be. HIE Soho has better location but in a fairly old business area. Kowloon East is far from everything and you'll be in a residential area.

If you go to HK as a tourist then Soho is a much better choice.

1000 HKD is cheap, is that from IHG's site? I couldn't see anything close to that when I checked last time.

It all depends on where you'd like to be. HIE Soho has better location but in a fairly old business area. Kowloon East is far from everything and you'll be in a residential area.

If you go to HK as a tourist then Soho is a much better choice.

1000 HKD is cheap, is that from IHG's site? I couldn't see anything close to that when I checked last time.

Yes it is actually 963.33HKD and it is on November 23 to November 26 and for one person (that may make a difference).

I am familiar with Hong Kong and not really going their as a tourist and would actually like to stay someone other than where I usually stay which is in the heart of Kowloon and Hong Kong areas.

The Kowloon East properties are in the $1200HKD area during my trip as well and my only issue with them is that they look to be a complete pain in the arse to get to from the airport.

Yes it is actually 963.33HKD and it is on November 23 to November 26 and for one person (that may make a difference).

I am familiar with Hong Kong and not really going their as a tourist and would actually like to stay someone other than where I usually stay which is in the heart of Kowloon and Hong Kong areas.

The Kowloon East properties are in the $1200HKD area during my trip as well and my only issue with them is that they look to be a complete pain in the arse to get to from the airport.

E22A will bring you pretty close to HIE KLN East. There are more places to eat close to HIE Soho.

http://www.nwstbus.com.hk/routesearch.aspx?t=1350915255821&intLangID=2

E22A will bring you pretty close to HIE KLN East. There are more places to eat close to HIE Soho.

http://www.nwstbus.com.hk/routesearch.aspx?t=1350915255821&intLangID=2

Thanks. Looks like that is right around the corner from the hotels. The CP looks nice but you are right....not much out there and that will be a long bus ride. I could be in Macau quicker!

Stayed 4 nights in mid-October. Overall, I was very satisfied. Much nicer than any HIE I've ever stayed at.

Breakfast buffet was served on the 38th floor. Much better food selection than the average US HIE assortment with a wide variety of both Chinese and Western items. Breakfast will move to the 2nd floor when construction work is finished there.

Great views of the harbor and Kowloon from both the room (35th FL) and Breakfast lounge. The rooms are smaller , but not uncomfortably so and are well designed to make the most of the space.

Powerful large shower area, safe, well lit rooms using mostly LED's. To save energy, the drapes close automatically when the key-card is removed. Three fast guest elevators. 5 minute walk to the MTR, 15 minutes to the airport express train.

The staff tried hard and went out of their way to please. I was very satisfied with my stay.

I redeemed 15k PC per night (105 USD/825 HKD).

Any Plat upgrades at HK HIE?

What's the easiest and most straight forward way to get to this HIE from HKIA?

And I don't mean taxi :p Any Airport bus that drops you close by? Or just take the express train to HK and transfer to something else?

Walk to the airport express train station. People on TA claims it takes 10 minutes but when I looked at the map it ought to take longer.

There are airport buses too - again according TA it's 10 mins walk from the hotel.

I took the Airport Express to Hong Kong/Central station and then 1 stop on the (blue) Island Line (free with Airport Express fare on Octopus card) to Sheung Wan. The hotel is approximately 2.5 blocks from the Des Voeux and Hillier St exit there.

It's a long walk to transfer to the Island Line however. I had a pretty decent stay at the hotel. Great location and some good food and drink within a reasonable walking distance. Great value for 15,000 points. And no, the breakfast isn't too bad either.

What's the easiest and most straight forward way to get to this HIE from HKIA?

And I don't mean taxi :p Any Airport bus that drops you close by? Or just take the express train to HK and transfer to something else?

Came back from my 2 night stay and was happy with it. When arriving with the Airport Express, alight at Hong Kong station then switch to the free hotel shuttle bus. It's bus H1, just make sure you go to the right direction as both buses (H1 and H2) split to two final destinations. First stop for that H1 line is the HIE Soho. Last bus was at about 23h12. Otherwise it's about HKD30 for a taxi ride.

Walking from Sheung Wan MTR station is quite easy as well, not suitcase friendly (HK sidewalks are not suitcase friendly...) but manageable if you don't have a huge suitcase.

Rooms are nice, reasonable sizes for HK and the hotel is situated in a quiet area, except for the weekend as there are bars on that street and patrons usually stand outside to smoke and chat... But the rooms are soundproof (I was on the 21st floor with a tiny partial harbor view :D and view of the ICC).

Small bathroom but functional.

Breakfast is free, so is WiFi throughout the hotel. The only bad thing is that the breakfast room, at the Thai restaurant on 2nd floor, is way too small to accommodate all the hotel guests. Seriously, you have to queue and wait for quite some time before some seats free up. And they will of course make you share a table with other guests (which is actually quite common in HK restaurants).

A few pics:

http://xc1.xanga.com/bd8e26e262c37284187676/m226727595.jpg

http://xb8.xanga.com/83ee00e016432284187682/m226727601.jpg

http://xf4.xanga.com/20ee36ea16434284187685/m226727604.jpg

Thanks for the review! What about breakfast? Is it buffet or not?

Yup, buffet style. Some western and Asian selection: bread, cereals, fruits, baos, basic dim sum, fried noodles, congee.

Not the best breakfast ever but again, it's included in all the rates. And there are more than enough local options right down the street.

Yup, buffet style. Some western and Asian selection: bread, cereals, fruits, baos, basic dim sum, fried noodles, congee.

Not the best breakfast ever but again, it's included in all the rates. And there are more than enough local options right down the street.

Wow that's much better than the horrible 'set' breakfast at HIE Kowloon East. It's inside the Japanese restaurant and you get a menu and pick what you want, and it's a bit like hospital style (a tray with food on). I picked the chinese option and I got a bowl of congee, some turnip cakes and a boiled egg.

I've booked the superior room and I'm hoping for an upgrade to the suite as a plat.

I know this should happen if they have free rooms, but wondering if others have had upgrades at this hotel?

I'll report back next week in any case :)

Will be staying at the hotel during shortly with my family (wife + 5yr old), was wondering for those are currently at this hotel or had stayed at this hotel can advise what kind of amenities do they offer? I assumed they will have Body Lotion, Shampoo and Conditioner, but what we want to know are the following:

- Shower/Bath Gel
- Toothpaste & Toothbrush
- Mouth Wash

Thanks.

At this hotel now.

Checkin was smooth but there was no recognition of plat status and no upgrade offered. I did get a room on level 37 though. They gave some soft drinks as a pc member,

The room itself is modern and clean. Negative points for me are

- the bed is on the firm side
- water pressure in the bathroom is on the weak side
- limited ameneties

The bathroom ameneties are toothpaste and a soap dispenser. There is no shampoo, conditioner, body lotion or mouthwash. They do offer to provide extra ameneties if you forget some though.

The bathroom ameneties are toothpaste and a soap dispenser. There is no shampoo, conditioner, body lotion or mouthwash. They do offer to provide extra ameneties if you forget some though.

Thanks for the info.

The bathroom ameneties are toothpaste and a soap dispenser. There is no shampoo, conditioner, body lotion or mouthwash. They do offer to provide extra ameneties if you forget some though.

Toothpaste, but no toothbrush? :confused:
IIRC these are the same amenities that the HIX Causeway Bay has to offer.

After all, I can't think of any other HIX that provides toothbrush and toothpaste. But maybe it's a cultural thing of Asia and something expected for this type of hotel, of which there are not many within the IC Group outside Greater China.

Mind you, I have a booking for the Ibis Tokyo Shinyuku, and one its highlights according to the website is the toothbrush in the bathroom...

Toothpaste, but no toothbrush? :confused:
IIRC these are the same amenities that the HIX Causeway Bay has to offer.

After all, I can't think of any other HIX that provides toothbrush and toothpaste. But maybe it's a cultural thing of Asia and something expected for this type of hotel, of which there are not many within the IC Group outside Greater China.

Mind you, I have a booking for the Ibis Tokyo Shinyuku, and one its highlights according to the website is the toothbrush in the bathroom...

Yep, there is a toothbrush as well :D (It's the usual toothbrush with a small toothpaste in the same packet).

I think all hotels in Japan (even the very cheapest) include toothbrush and toothpaste. I always wondered why this wasn't standard in other countries TBH.