Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong
Apr 30, 2011, 3:47 am
#46
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jakarta
Programs: Krisflyer PPS, SPG, Hyatt GoldPassport, Shangri-la Golden Circle, British Airways ExecClub
Posts: 1,245
Anyway, I didn't stay at the Ritz Carlton in the end but I still went there to have a short tour of the hotel. Upon entering the 9th floor lobby, there was already a long queue of visitors whom I supposed are patrons for the restaurants and bars, a common thing in HK due to RC's novelty as the highest hotel in the world. A hotel staff was assigned to show me around, starting with the 109th floor lobby, then the restaurants and the rooms.
The common areas, as seen in francophile's excellent photos, are very flamboyant and extravagant. However, I cannot honestly say I like it. It's kind of how to describe it... too much bling factor. As if the hotel is trying to shout out to the world how "luxurious" it is. Everywhere I turn there are lighted panels in the wood, lacquered wood and marble and large crystal chandeliers, basically interior design gone wild and almost resembles a fairy land. The lobby and common areas are crowded and noisy with curious visitors and hotel guest, many of them from mainland china.
The hotel staff that provide me the hotel tour was supposed to show me both the standard rooms and the premier suite. At last, I wasn't able to see the standard room because he simply couldn't get the door key to work after trying and re-programming ( teething problems? ).
Anyway, he managed to show me the hotel's premier suite, a corner suite with views of victoria harbour. Walking into the suite, I immediately notice many things that are not right. Starting with the low ceiling that makes the room immediately feel small and worse, which is strange as this hotel is in a newly constructed building. The squarish suite was partitioned right in the middle with a thick wall and what's left are two narrow rectangular areas with the bedroom and bathroom on one side and the living area on the other. For example, the living only have one large sofa chair, not even a small table. The workdesk is placed right at the entrance. The bedroom is worst. A huge bed with tons of pillows occupying nearly the entire space of the room and the in-wall TV was barely 1m from the edge of the bed. And this suite is supposed to be 72m2. The bathroom is well, also kind of small. There's no guest powder room, no walk-in closet and the bathroom feels small. The furniture and fittings are nice but kind of run-of-the-mill. In other words, it doesn't stand out in any way.
Simply put, the interior design of this suite is awful, there's no sense of space. And the asking price is HK$13,500, way too expensive for what it delivers.
Perhaps the standard rooms might actually be more spacious with less partioning and furniture. I don't know since I couldn't see it. I was told the furnish of the suite and rooms are similar. I asked to see the Club lounge but upon arriving, a snooty lady staff said we couldn't see because there are some VIP using the club lounge. Overall I am not impressed. I am glad I decided to cancel my reservations at this hotel at the last minute and switched back to my old favourite, the Four Seasons. I am writing this post while relaxing at my upgraded expansive Executive Suite that feels twice as large with less than half the price and IMHO way more luxurious.
Apr 30, 2011, 8:40 am
#47
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jakarta
Programs: Krisflyer PPS, SPG, Hyatt GoldPassport, Shangri-la Golden Circle, British Airways ExecClub
Posts: 1,245
By the way, I should add that the views are indeed fabulous. At that height, the entire hong kong panorama from Island to Kowloon is under your feet. I visited by day, so I bet the sight at night must be breath-taking.
May 14, 2011, 4:58 pm
#49
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Home
Programs: Virgin FC, Qantas, Golden Circle, Sofitel, Hyatt, Starwood, Nectar, and my Tesco Club Card
Posts: 1,770
I like Cafe Too at the Island Shangri La. - They sometimes have visiting chefs from their other hotels (last time I was there they had a Thai Chef from the SL in Bangkok, doing a fantastic selection of made to order Thai salads). Slightly cheaper buffet (but still good) at their slightly cheaper sister hotel in Kowloon.
I've heard that the Seafood Brunch Buffet at the weekend at the JW Marriott is very good. Also heard good things about Harbourside at The Intercontinental.
For a much smaller buffet (and less crowded) I enjoyed the Clipper Lounge at the Mandarin Oriental a few years back, used to have a totally different atmosphere to the scrums you often get in what is usually the coffee shops at buffet time. Others maybe able to offer a more up to date opinion.
I've heard that the Seafood Brunch Buffet at the weekend at the JW Marriott is very good. Also heard good things about Harbourside at The Intercontinental.
For a much smaller buffet (and less crowded) I enjoyed the Clipper Lounge at the Mandarin Oriental a few years back, used to have a totally different atmosphere to the scrums you often get in what is usually the coffee shops at buffet time. Others maybe able to offer a more up to date opinion.
May 17, 2011, 3:21 am
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,657
Not necessarily true anymore. The Sunday Brunch at the Sukhothai is pretty close to 3000++ Baht per person if you avail yourself of the free flow of bubbles (they sometimes offer this as promotion) ! The regular price is now closer to 2000 Baht ++and by the glass wines are also "well priced"! The above being said it still remains one of my favorite places for Sunday Brunch (book in advance).
Jun 24, 2011, 8:58 am
#52
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
Programs: UA GS/4 MM, AA Exec Plat, Lifetime Hilton D, Hyatt G, Marriott Titanium earned Ambassador
Posts: 7,553
On property next month. I've had some hesitation on booking but up for seeing a new property. Any and all info appreciated. Thank you.
Jun 24, 2011, 12:02 pm
#53
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
You are right. It's rare a newly opened hotel can be running smoothly without teething problems. Usually, it takes min 6 months to work out the kinks.
Anyway, I didn't stay at the Ritz Carlton in the end but I still went there to have a short tour of the hotel. Upon entering the 9th floor lobby, there was already a long queue of visitors whom I supposed are patrons for the restaurants and bars, a common thing in HK due to RC's novelty as the highest hotel in the world. A hotel staff was assigned to show me around, starting with the 109th floor lobby, then the restaurants and the rooms.
The common areas, as seen in francophile's excellent photos, are very flamboyant and extravagant. However, I cannot honestly say I like it. It's kind of how to describe it... too much bling factor. As if the hotel is trying to shout out to the world how "luxurious" it is. Everywhere I turn there are lighted panels in the wood, lacquered wood and marble and large crystal chandeliers, basically interior design gone wild and almost resembles a fairy land. The lobby and common areas are crowded and noisy with curious visitors and hotel guest, many of them from mainland china.
The hotel staff that provide me the hotel tour was supposed to show me both the standard rooms and the premier suite. At last, I wasn't able to see the standard room because he simply couldn't get the door key to work after trying and re-programming ( teething problems? ).
Anyway, he managed to show me the hotel's premier suite, a corner suite with views of victoria harbour. Walking into the suite, I immediately notice many things that are not right. Starting with the low ceiling that makes the room immediately feel small and worse, which is strange as this hotel is in a newly constructed building. The squarish suite was partitioned right in the middle with a thick wall and what's left are two narrow rectangular areas with the bedroom and bathroom on one side and the living area on the other. For example, the living only have one large sofa chair, not even a small table. The workdesk is placed right at the entrance. The bedroom is worst. A huge bed with tons of pillows occupying nearly the entire space of the room and the in-wall TV was barely 1m from the edge of the bed. And this suite is supposed to be 72m2. The bathroom is well, also kind of small. There's no guest powder room, no walk-in closet and the bathroom feels small. The furniture and fittings are nice but kind of run-of-the-mill. In other words, it doesn't stand out in any way.
Simply put, the interior design of this suite is awful, there's no sense of space. And the asking price is HK$13,500, way too expensive for what it delivers. Perhaps the standard rooms might actually be more spacious with less partioning and furniture. I don't know since I couldn't see it. I was told the furnish of the suite and rooms are similar. I asked to see the Club lounge but upon arriving, a snooty lady staff said we couldn't see because there are some VIP using the club lounge.
Overall I am not impressed. I am glad I decided to cancel my reservations at this hotel at the last minute and switched back to my old favourite, the Four Seasons. I am writing this post while relaxing at my upgraded expansive Executive Suite that feels twice as large with less than half the price and IMHO way more luxurious.
Anyway, I didn't stay at the Ritz Carlton in the end but I still went there to have a short tour of the hotel. Upon entering the 9th floor lobby, there was already a long queue of visitors whom I supposed are patrons for the restaurants and bars, a common thing in HK due to RC's novelty as the highest hotel in the world. A hotel staff was assigned to show me around, starting with the 109th floor lobby, then the restaurants and the rooms.
The common areas, as seen in francophile's excellent photos, are very flamboyant and extravagant. However, I cannot honestly say I like it. It's kind of how to describe it... too much bling factor. As if the hotel is trying to shout out to the world how "luxurious" it is. Everywhere I turn there are lighted panels in the wood, lacquered wood and marble and large crystal chandeliers, basically interior design gone wild and almost resembles a fairy land. The lobby and common areas are crowded and noisy with curious visitors and hotel guest, many of them from mainland china.
The hotel staff that provide me the hotel tour was supposed to show me both the standard rooms and the premier suite. At last, I wasn't able to see the standard room because he simply couldn't get the door key to work after trying and re-programming ( teething problems? ).
Anyway, he managed to show me the hotel's premier suite, a corner suite with views of victoria harbour. Walking into the suite, I immediately notice many things that are not right. Starting with the low ceiling that makes the room immediately feel small and worse, which is strange as this hotel is in a newly constructed building. The squarish suite was partitioned right in the middle with a thick wall and what's left are two narrow rectangular areas with the bedroom and bathroom on one side and the living area on the other. For example, the living only have one large sofa chair, not even a small table. The workdesk is placed right at the entrance. The bedroom is worst. A huge bed with tons of pillows occupying nearly the entire space of the room and the in-wall TV was barely 1m from the edge of the bed. And this suite is supposed to be 72m2. The bathroom is well, also kind of small. There's no guest powder room, no walk-in closet and the bathroom feels small. The furniture and fittings are nice but kind of run-of-the-mill. In other words, it doesn't stand out in any way.
Simply put, the interior design of this suite is awful, there's no sense of space. And the asking price is HK$13,500, way too expensive for what it delivers.
Perhaps the standard rooms might actually be more spacious with less partioning and furniture. I don't know since I couldn't see it. I was told the furnish of the suite and rooms are similar. I asked to see the Club lounge but upon arriving, a snooty lady staff said we couldn't see because there are some VIP using the club lounge. Overall I am not impressed. I am glad I decided to cancel my reservations at this hotel at the last minute and switched back to my old favourite, the Four Seasons. I am writing this post while relaxing at my upgraded expansive Executive Suite that feels twice as large with less than half the price and IMHO way more luxurious.
The views are amazing, but they are also more like the views you get from a plane, so you cannot make out too much detail. It is actually rather scary staying in this hotel and despite the views, it is claustrophobic. And the elevators wobble.....
Jun 24, 2011, 12:03 pm
#54
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: Hilton*D, Marriott*LG, Hyatt*G
Posts: 6,268
The RC is now showing as a Virtuoso property and now comes with these amenities:
-Upgrade on arrival subject to availability
-Daily buffet breakfast for up to 2 in room guests
-$100USD food and beverage credit once per stay
Sorry if this has been posted elsewhere but here it is!
-Upgrade on arrival subject to availability
-Daily buffet breakfast for up to 2 in room guests
-$100USD food and beverage credit once per stay
Sorry if this has been posted elsewhere but here it is!
Jul 19, 2011, 2:46 pm
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Most HK hotels are very busy and very expensive in January in the time leading up to the new year. So no, the price would probably not decline.
Jul 19, 2011, 3:54 pm
#59
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: USA
Programs: AA2, DL2, Amtrak2, US2, SPG1, MAR2
Posts: 2,550
Jul 20, 2011, 1:38 am
#60
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
Programs: UA GS/4 MM, AA Exec Plat, Lifetime Hilton D, Hyatt G, Marriott Titanium earned Ambassador
Posts: 7,553
On property. I contacted the Hotel in advance. Met at HKG and escorted to Airport Express. Upon arrival at Kowloon Station again met by bellman which led me to Ritz Carlton. Met again by various staff members. Check-in was completed in harbour view full on room.
I know many things have been written so far but my firm initial impression is that a great deal of detail design and work has been done. Custom work. Everything is well thought out and the custom stone work has to be appreciated. The solid pieces of stone used are amazing.
Nearly every attention to detail has been made. From distinct sizes of slippers, high back desk chair, design of the floor hallway, bedside lamps with petals, lattice wood work around desk area repeated in bathroom, leather desk lamp with chrome design with seam work. I think it goes on and on. Now that being said the wall has a small piece of torn wallpaper, cushion at window seating backwards, no name amenities in bathroom for my standard room (already replaced with my Remede from SR) and inexpensive phone system where a piece has come off revealing a screw in the handset. All of those are easily fixed. What counts is satisfied in quality, design, custom work and style. Maybe the mood of the room can be more lively. How about a fresh flower?The size of the room is equivalent to the Conrad Bangkok for those who have been.
I would not hesitate staying here again and think it will be a nice treat for my wife. Will let you know more at the day goes on.
I know many things have been written so far but my firm initial impression is that a great deal of detail design and work has been done. Custom work. Everything is well thought out and the custom stone work has to be appreciated. The solid pieces of stone used are amazing.
Nearly every attention to detail has been made. From distinct sizes of slippers, high back desk chair, design of the floor hallway, bedside lamps with petals, lattice wood work around desk area repeated in bathroom, leather desk lamp with chrome design with seam work. I think it goes on and on. Now that being said the wall has a small piece of torn wallpaper, cushion at window seating backwards, no name amenities in bathroom for my standard room (already replaced with my Remede from SR) and inexpensive phone system where a piece has come off revealing a screw in the handset. All of those are easily fixed. What counts is satisfied in quality, design, custom work and style. Maybe the mood of the room can be more lively. How about a fresh flower?The size of the room is equivalent to the Conrad Bangkok for those who have been.
I would not hesitate staying here again and think it will be a nice treat for my wife. Will let you know more at the day goes on.