mmm... Seems like a lot of Marriott people on this thread... It's seems to throw it into Starwood's forum to lure some comments from SPG members.

I'll just comment mostly on the Starwood versions of the hotel. I am from Hong Kong and have continuously returned through the decade few times a year after grad from university. How premium a location is measured on how fast you can get to places. Fast is measured in 10-15 minutes. It's not the "fast" definition of North America where 30 minutes is considered fast enough. So MTR is popular because it is fast - if you live in the "city region" of Hong Kong or Kowloon. Train at peak comes 1 train per minute. Stations are 1-2 minutes apart. If you go to suburban area - like Shatin (or New Territories), trains are 10-15 minutes per train and each station is 5/10 min apart. Fast in Canada standards, not fast in Hong Kong standards.

I stayed at the W Hong Kong when it first opened. You lured by the big suite that might happen if you get upgraded and the fancy pool. The hotel is on top of a mall called "Elements" and on top of the Kowloon MTR station. It's fast if you want to go to the airport. It's not fast enough if you want to go to Central (financial district) or changing trains in Hong Kong station. There is a long long walk to transit trains at Hong Kong / Central station. Let get real. When normal changing trains is across the platform (10 seconds walk), and the transit from one train to another at Hong Kong station is a 10 min walk, it's not considered fast.

Shatin is out. It's like staying in the suburbs to commute to the city. I think if you have relatives in New Territories, that probably is a legit reason to stay there. Or if you're have lots of freetime and limited budget... but again.... there are a bunch of cheap hotels in city center that is for the limited budget (normally for Chinese tourists and south-east Asian tourists) due to cleanness standards.

Le Meradian Cybercity is on a failed IT hub in southern Hong Kong island where no MTR goes. You're surrounded by residential buildings that are bought by speculators and at night feels like a dead city. That's my memory of it. Taking a mini-van to Central (finance district) or Causeway Bay (shopping district) is a 20/30 min ride depending on traffic. Fast it is not.

Mira Hong Kong is in Tsim Sha Tsui accross Kowloon park. Cheaper than Sheraton because it doesn't have the Ocean view. Used to be very famous as my dad hosted his wedding there many decades ago. If you get a room facing the park, its alright. If you get a room facing other apartments like my sisters got. The funniest part was seeing someone's shower room in residential apartments.

I always stay at the Sheraton. It's extremely central. No suite upgrade needed. You get a upgraded to an Ocean viewing room and that is Hong Kong's crown jewel. You are next to the historic peninsula hotel. The area is most historic and most sought after real-estate in Hong Kong. If you want to smell the ocean (it use to smell like our Ocean...), its exactly in front of you... MTR station (Tsim Sha Tsui) is right outside the hotel (or 10 minutes walk from hotel to platform). One station away from Admiraty transit station that goes anywhere in Hong Kong island. One station away from the Hung Hum transit station to the suburban "New Territories". Cross Harbor Ferry is 15 min walking distance. The China Ferries terminal (if you go into mainland) is 2 blocks away. The Macau ferry terminal is also like 2/3 blocks away. Guests get a buffet breakfast. Ditch the lounge, you're in food heaven Hong Kong and great food just outside the hotel from fine dining to street food. Western Bar area a block away... If you have to eat in the lounge, the food is mediocre.

No idea about Rtiz and no idea about the JW Marriott in Wan Chai/Admiraty. All I know is that hotel is a lot further to the Hong Kong Island bar area of Lan Kwai Fong than the Sheraton to the Tsim Sha Tsui bar area. WanChai is a less desirable location than Tsim Sha Tsui and Admiraty is normally where all the government stuff is. That's my two cents and generalization.