best hotel in Hong Kong
Oct 8, 2018, 9:07 pm
#1201
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,050
Seems nowadays luxury hotels are increasingly practising cost cutting, hence the stingy welcome amenities. Most require you to pay for them rather than put them in the room as a nice surprise If that's the case, really no different from a standard 4/5 star business hotel.
Oct 8, 2018, 10:00 pm
#1202
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jakarta
Programs: Krisflyer PPS, SPG, Hyatt GoldPassport, Shangri-la Golden Circle, British Airways ExecClub
Posts: 1,245
Actually, the way I see it, eventually, this will be phased out in time to come. Everything will be itemized. Want a box of chocolate? Fruit basket? Champagne on arrival? Pay for it. That's why at the end of every MO hotel booking one is presented with a list of options what "welcome amenities" one wants ( and of course pay for it ), including fruit plates and flowers, something that not longer ago is included. Nowadays, I only get decent welcome amenities if I stayed at a Super-luxury properties ( suite ) or if I am a regular guests. At least at the RCHK, where I am a regular, they are kind enough to give me fruit plate + cookies + mooncake.
Oct 9, 2018, 1:47 am
#1203
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,050
Agree. I received those small lemon cakes when I last stayed at MO. In fact, I think MO, along with Four Seasons are very stingy with welcome amenities despite being in the upper tier of luxury hotel group.
Actually, the way I see it, eventually, this will be phased out in time to come. Everything will be itemized. Want a box of chocolate? Fruit basket? Champagne on arrival? Pay for it. That's why at the end of every MO hotel booking one is presented with a list of options what "welcome amenities" one wants ( and of course pay for it ), including fruit plates and flowers, something that not longer ago is included. Nowadays, I only get decent welcome amenities if I stayed at a Super-luxury properties ( suite ) or if I am a regular guests. At least at the RCHK, where I am a regular, they are kind enough to give me fruit plate + cookies + mooncake.
Actually, the way I see it, eventually, this will be phased out in time to come. Everything will be itemized. Want a box of chocolate? Fruit basket? Champagne on arrival? Pay for it. That's why at the end of every MO hotel booking one is presented with a list of options what "welcome amenities" one wants ( and of course pay for it ), including fruit plates and flowers, something that not longer ago is included. Nowadays, I only get decent welcome amenities if I stayed at a Super-luxury properties ( suite ) or if I am a regular guests. At least at the RCHK, where I am a regular, they are kind enough to give me fruit plate + cookies + mooncake.
Honestly, I really think it depends on the GM, or your agent's relationship to the hotel or your stay history.
Oct 9, 2018, 2:58 am
#1204
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,598
Oct 9, 2018, 12:22 pm
#1205
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Homeless
Programs: CX MPC
Posts: 110
Sure, it wasn't so much a fault, more an observation. It looks like a very, very spartan welcome (no drink either on arrival - tea etc which The Upper House offers upon in-room check-in) in comparison to Upper House. Also surprised that check-in is still done at the counters in this day and age, with ~100 rooms.
There are expectations set (bear in mind it's priced about even with Upper House Hong Kong even accounting for both's promotional offers).
Similar with turndown service.
In our room at LMO
My guest, checking in on the exact same day. In the room at Upper House - a tote bag full of goodies and more
In a bizarre way, with what it offers, it's almost more fit to be a 'world class business hotel' - but with its rates and boutique nature, they're aiming for as much of the leisure market too.
There are expectations set (bear in mind it's priced about even with Upper House Hong Kong even accounting for both's promotional offers).
Similar with turndown service.
In our room at LMO
My guest, checking in on the exact same day. In the room at Upper House - a tote bag full of goodies and more
In a bizarre way, with what it offers, it's almost more fit to be a 'world class business hotel' - but with its rates and boutique nature, they're aiming for as much of the leisure market too.
Oct 9, 2018, 11:14 pm
#1207
formerly known as deathscar
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Virtuoso | Four Seasons Preferred Partner | Rosewood Elite | Hyatt Prive - and more
Posts: 2,096
Oct 10, 2018, 12:21 pm
#1209
formerly known as deathscar
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Virtuoso | Four Seasons Preferred Partner | Rosewood Elite | Hyatt Prive - and more
Posts: 2,096
Thought so with the mooncake. I was there around the same time (September 30-Oct 1).
When I spoke to the team about the arrival and lack of any drinks, they said since I live in Hong Kong, they didn't think a mooncake or tea would be an appropriate welcome. Bizarre, I'd certainly have loved something a bit more!
Still, a nice enough hotel otherwise. Was really impressed with service otherwise though.
When I spoke to the team about the arrival and lack of any drinks, they said since I live in Hong Kong, they didn't think a mooncake or tea would be an appropriate welcome. Bizarre, I'd certainly have loved something a bit more!
Still, a nice enough hotel otherwise. Was really impressed with service otherwise though.
Oct 11, 2018, 8:43 pm
#1210
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 8,994
I'll be in Hong Kong for 3 nights - first time visiting the city - next April. Which hotel do folks think has the best view - and do folks have a strong preference on being on Hong Kong Island v. Kowloon?
Oct 11, 2018, 8:55 pm
#1211
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 167
I don't have a strong preference as to Hong Kong Island vs. Kowloon. I just stay where my preferred hotel happens to be located, which in the case of the Ritz-Carlton is Kowloon.
Oct 12, 2018, 1:35 am
#1212
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 107
If you're there for leisure, there's things to see both on the island and mainland. I still like the island better, but then I lived there for some years so it feels more like 'home'. You can't beat the views of the island from some hotels Kowloon-side, however. I think the shopping, nightlife and restaurants are marginally better on the island, but not enough so as to recommend staying there if you prefer Kowloon. HK Island is generally calmer than across the harbour.
Unless you have a pressing need to be one side of the harbour or the other, it'd be better to base your decision on which hotel you like the look of most and if what's in that surrounding area is of interest to you.
Nov 5, 2018, 5:59 am
#1213
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jakarta
Programs: Krisflyer PPS, SPG, Hyatt GoldPassport, Shangri-la Golden Circle, British Airways ExecClub
Posts: 1,245
My go-to Hong Kong hotel is the Ritz-Carlton. Every single time I stay there, I'm blown away by the views. It never gets old. If you choose to stay there, be sure to get a room that gives you access to the club floor. That being said, I've had great experiences at the Peninsula, too. FS has by far the best restaurants of any hotel in the city if that's important to you. Next time I'm in Hong Kong for leisure, I'm going to try the Upper House as I've read some rave reviews here, and my attention has been piqued.
I don't have a strong preference as to Hong Kong Island vs. Kowloon. I just stay where my preferred hotel happens to be located, which in the case of the Ritz-Carlton is Kowloon.
I don't have a strong preference as to Hong Kong Island vs. Kowloon. I just stay where my preferred hotel happens to be located, which in the case of the Ritz-Carlton is Kowloon.
Nov 5, 2018, 6:02 am
#1214
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, does anyone knows what happen to Rosewood Hong Kong? It's supposed to be the next big thing but looks like the opening has been delayed? Don't think they can make it in 2018.
Nov 5, 2018, 12:35 pm
#1215
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,598
Leanne Hucker has been appointed DOSM and is already very busy working on it! It is an interesting project, although way too many keys for my taste -- even for HK standards.