So I ended up staying here again, and wanted to post a report.

My last visit was the first time, "even if you book on SPG, we'll give you benefits, but this one time only" visit. I had a small, but acceptable room, on a high floor, with a pretty good view of Ocean Park and the south of HK Island. Breakfast is continental plus an egg station, happy hour some nibbles in the lobby. Nowhere near an Asian club lounge, of course.

I spoke to the GM at the time, and he was adamant about the "no benefits on SPG bookings" part. As I posted upthread, this place routinely posts rates of >HKD1000, yet can be had on various competing sites for ~EUR70. I did have a BRG of ~EUR56 (all-in, so ~HKD450+) last time, but this time (Canton Fair!) rates on SPG.com were an eye-watering HKD1500. The vast majority of the rates posted by the hotel are non-refundable, and given the SPG BRG terms for Design Hotels, one has to book the lowest rate. Given that several of the best BRG sites for this hotel have recently seen rejections because they "do not confirm instantly," I didn't want to take a HKD1000 gamble. I thus booked directly with Amoma for EUR72 all-in. I didn't expect any benefits on my booking, but again, per the hotel's policy, I wouldn't have received benefits on a booking made on SPG either.

I received a "mini" room on the 10th floor, overlooking the freeway. The rooms are very snug, but ok for one person. I'm not a light sleeper, but the road noise was constant and extremely bothersome. WiFi in the room was barely functional -- couldn't even check email or FT. The view, of run-down warehouses, was depressing. I was offered a late checkout (which I didn't need), and to their credit, the hotel worked hard to find me a room with a queen bed.

I spent perhaps 500 hotel nights in HK in the last decade and a half. I've stayed at all major chains, and lots of non-chain hotels. This experience was probably my worst. (My last stay, in the view, non-noisy room, was somewhere in the middle). Obviously, I had a HKD600 all-in rate at a very busy time, so perhaps I shouldn't complain. I think with BRG rates in the HKD500 range, the good location (with a very quick MTR connection to Admiralty), and a shot at one of the good rooms, this hotel may be worthy of consideration. But with the HKD1000 rates they've recently been showing, and the risk of ending up in this horribly noisy, tiny, no WiFi room, NO WAY would I stay here again.