Trip report: Four Seasons Hong Kong
 

Overall <img style="width: 300px; height: 169px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/31.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 169px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/30.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 169px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/29.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 169px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/28.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 169px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/27.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 169px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/26.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 169px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/25.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 169px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/24.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 169px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/23.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 169px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/22.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 169px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/21.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 199px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/20.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 199px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/19.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 199px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/18.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 199px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/17.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 199px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/16.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 199px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/15.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 199px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/14.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 199px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/13.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 199px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/12.jpg"><img style="width: 300px; height: 199px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/11.jpg"><img style="width: 300px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/10.JPG"><img style="width: 300px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/9.JPG"><img style="width: 300px; height: 199px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/8.JPG"><img style="width: 300px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/7.JPG"><img style="width: 300px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/6.JPG"><img style="width: 300px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/5.JPG"><img style="width: 300px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/4.JPG"><img style="width: 300px; height: 199px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/3.JPG"><img style="width: 300px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/2.JPG"><img style="width: 300px; height: 453px;" alt="" src="/forum/hotelreview/uploads/userreviewimages/94403/images/1.JPG">Overall I was really satisfied with the Four Seasons, it´s a great hotel. I would stay there again without hesitation, especially after seeing the Peninsula which was very touristy and which I'd actually considered before choosing the FS. It was a perfect stay without any problems, so I can recommend the Four Seasons.After check-out we were taken to the airport in their S-class again. At the airport FS-staff escorted us to check in and said goodbye.Our flight left HKG at 0:35am, so I asked for late check out in advance. Our agent had told us it woudn`t be possible and that the maximum would be 2 pm. He advised us to pay a half day rate to secure late check out until 6 pm, which would have been around 750 €. Of course I didn't want to burn my money like that. On our last morning we asked for a late check-out and it was no problem to keep the room until 6 pm, of course without extra charge.On the third day we ate at Caprice and again I was overdressed. The room itself is very elegant. We had the Signature menu, except for the 2 meat courses that we exchanged for a veggie and a seafood course. The menu was highly priced with nearly 2000 HKD. The food was good but not outstanding. It may be 2 stars (perhaps 1 good star in other cities) but definitively not more. Cheese heaven was a nice selection of french cheese, but served without the usual additions. Considering the price of nearly 6000 HKD for 2 persons I woudn`t eat there again. If you eat frequently at high-end restaurants, it´s nothing special. I would try another Cantonese restaurant next time.On our second evening we had dinner at Lung King Heen, the 3-star Cantonese restaurant. First I had to learn that I was totally overdressed with my dark suit. The food was nice as it was something new for us. I can´t say if it´s really worth 3 stars as it can`t be compared to „usual“ 3-star restaurants, but all dishes were tasty. Service was good and the bill was surprisingly low with aprox 2700 HKD for 2 people.My wife also had a SPA-treatment and was very satisfied.The pool was nice but the weather was a bit too cold to lounge on the sunchairs. The view is great, and with 4 pool options (cold swimming pool, warm swimming pool, warm sitting pool and hot tub) there's something for everyone. We had drinks at the pool, which were good but pricy (2 smoothies: 280 HKD). The pool-area reminded me more of a resort than a city-hotel.The club itself is another plus of the FS; it is simply the best lounge I've encountered so far. Yes, they have champagne (for people who can afford the room but not a bottle of it...), but this isn`t important to me. They offered a good teatime with many choices of high quality and a good light supper in the evening. They have a noodle station, which we unfortunally coudn`t try, as they only have a soup with chicken.The first morning we decided to try out breakfast at the Blue Bar, which serves a buffet. Quality and choices were OK, but the restaurant was a little bit unattractive without any view. Later we found out that the buffet at the club was not only equal, it was even better. Also the atmosphere was much nicer so I'd advise everyone to take breakfast at the club-lounge.The service at the hotel was great without exception; we coudn´t have wished for more. Always very attentive and friendly on every level.Never the less the suite was well equipped, and had a nice view due to its corner location. Of course, thanks to the almost non-stop fog the view left something to be desired. To be honest I can´t understand the hype for Harbor view as it is nice but nothing I would pay money for. The suite was furnished in Asian-style, which we really liked.The condition of the room was perfect and all furniture seemed to be of high-quality.We arrived at 11 pm at HKG (Cathay was late of course!) and had booked the FS-transfer. At the gate we were greeted by a guy from the HKG-service-company who picked us up with a buggy, brought us through immigratian and helped us with our luggage. All went very fast and smoothly. After custom a member of FS-staff took over and led us to our waiting car, a S-class, which we had booked. The car was in good condition and the ride was pleasant. At the hotel a lady was already awaiting us and led us directly to our suite, where the check-in took place. We got an upgrade to a Grand Harbor view suite on the 42nd floor; I´m still not quite sure if this category is really that „Grand“ compared to the more than 20sqm bigger Harbor view suite.Like some people in this forum may know I had a hard time deciding which hotel to choose in Hong Kong. In the end, I booked a Harbor View Suite at the Four Seasons; my main reason were the dining options and the pool. I booked through Virtuoso and FSPP agent.

Thanks for the report! I agree with the food - FS might have the stars, but there are better dining options in the city for both Cantonese and French.

I did a site tour a while ago, and while the rooms are very spacious and very well fitted, I wasn't a big fan of the decor and tones.

My experience last year pretty much tallies with Offerendum's excellent account of this hotel. I thought the food at Caprice, under the previous regime, didn't come close to *** standard and while one or two dishes in the Chinese restaurant were outstanding the overall experience and the rather stilted ambience wasn't quite what you want in a city like HK.

I did wear a jacket to both restaurants, but not a tie. I really don't know anywhere in the world these days, apart from some ridiculously snobby cruise lines, that people 'dress up' for. In London, the Ritz and, in Scotland, Inverlochy Castle still insists on ties, I think but they are the last bastions in this regard. At Caprice at the FSHK people tended to wear chinos and polo shirts and a painful expression when they got the bill. The best food at the FS was at breakfast and at the all-day restaurant at lobby level.

I agree with deathscar that the FS is a bit on the bland side of boring, decor wise, but the incredible service levels and general unstuffiness as well as the lack of rubberneckers make up for that.

PS: Offerendum clearly had some atrocious weather!

OK, like many People I´m used to ties and dark suits, I wear one more or less every (work)day. So nothing Special. Also my wife is glad if she can wear her nice dresses......

You were welcome. We really liked the decor (much better than on the pictures) but taste is different

Thank you so much for a wonderful review. Very helpful for future stopovers in HK. I usually stay at the Pen.

Apropos of nothing: I really, really still dislike this review format. Simply takes far too long to load.

Completely agree - I hate the new format.

OK, I too. But it was more easy to load the pictures. Next Review will be in old format, I promise:(

Excellent and very detailed report Offerendum, thanks a lot for taking the time to post it. I'm now even more looking forward to my stay next month. My experience should be pretty similar to yours as I also have a Harbour View Suite booked through Virtuoso. Hopefully the weather will be better though!

The new format is indeed less than optimal.

Thanks!

Would be interesting to see the difference, but of course you shall get your upgrade;)

Wish you luck!

Very nice write up. It's not your fault it takes forever to load. Good things come to those who wait :D.

I'd be very interested in hearing your recommendations, thanks.

Hotel-wise, just for any European-Cantonese combinations in the same hotel, the InterContinental (SPOON and Yan Toh Heen); Mandarin Oriental (Krug Room/Mandarin Grill and Man Wah); Island Shangri-la (Petrus - though I haven't been since Frederic Chabbert left, and not necessarily the favourite of many here - and Summer Palace); Peninsula (Gaddi's - similar vein to Petrus, not a favourite of many here but I love it - and Spring Moon).

Amber in LMO is fantastic, and I'm sure there are few others I'm forgetting.

For Cantonese, plenty of options within the city, both fine dining and casual - not to say Lung King Heen isn't good, it's just not as exceptional as touted.