W Hong Kong [Master Thread]
Aug 14, 2008, 6:04 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Beijing, China
Programs: BA/A3 Gold/SPG Plat
Posts: 500
W Hong Kong [Master Thread]
Stay report on August 10
Arrival
the hotel entrance is located on South side of Elements Mall. It's not easy to find a way from Airport Express Kowloon Station. There's no sign to guide you to find a way, but you can try to find HMV shops first. That means you have to carry-on your own luggages all the way from Airport Express Kowloon Station to the W entrance. I suggest W Hong Kong should provide "Meet & Greet" service in Airport Express Kowloon Station, send a bellboy to station exits to greets guests. The same service provided in Four Season's Marunouchi Tokyo in Tokyo Station as well.
Check-in
Receptionist offered Spectacular Room for me but no upgrade to Suite. He explained that some suites still under contractions. In addition, the staff mentioned that W Hong Kong will not be able to offer Platinum benefits to SPG Platinum members at this moment due to some issues (ex: soft-opening and the room rate I paid is under promotion rate, system not connected with SPG worldwide yet..something like that..)
Room
Cool and Fashion design, but not impressiveness. If you looking for a nice Harbour view room in Kowloon area, I suggest you choose Sheraton Hong Kong or Peninsula or InterContinental.
Air condition system have some problem, I can hear the voice in action whole night long till 4am.
By the way, there's a "W TWO INTIMACY KIT" in your room, costs HKD$80 for your pleasure.
No welcome chocolate or letter in the room, only an green apple and 3 types of desserts in a plate delivered in the night.
No Sweet Dreams Pillow Menu or W Personalized Wake-up Service Menu offered as well.
Service
Overall, W Hong Kong provided warm and friendly attitude, but in my personal experience, ice bucket needs 10 minutes traveling time to your room. By the way, I asking Whatever/Whenever desk regarding the Visa information of China, one lady in night shift told me she prepared travel agency's address and print-out the visa application form for me, so I can get all documents in the morning, but when I went downs to the Whatever/Whenever desk, seems like the new staff have no idea what I am talking about. I explained both in English and Mandarin, and she make some calls and try to find out the documents for me. Finally, I have all information I want after 15 minutes investigation. (It's just an address/telephone number for one branch of China Travel Service in Tsim Sha Tsui)
Check-out
The guest relation manager Mr. Martin Camp greets me in the front desk, and we chatted about some issues I experienced in W Hong Kong. It's grate, but some details needs more attention in the future.
I am not good in writing English, so here's some pictures I took and hope some other guys can share your experience with W Hong Kong.
W Hong Kong @ August 10, 2008
Location map of W Hong Kong & Elements
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/7654/96924508oo8.png
If anyone wanna arrange Limo transfer service from AEL (Airport Express) Kowloon Station to W Hong Kong, that means you just take a round from AEL Exits/Elements Mall's Ground Floor to Elements Mall's South drop-off entrance in 1st Floor. 3 minutes drive, I guess.
Arrival
the hotel entrance is located on South side of Elements Mall. It's not easy to find a way from Airport Express Kowloon Station. There's no sign to guide you to find a way, but you can try to find HMV shops first. That means you have to carry-on your own luggages all the way from Airport Express Kowloon Station to the W entrance. I suggest W Hong Kong should provide "Meet & Greet" service in Airport Express Kowloon Station, send a bellboy to station exits to greets guests. The same service provided in Four Season's Marunouchi Tokyo in Tokyo Station as well.
Check-in
Receptionist offered Spectacular Room for me but no upgrade to Suite. He explained that some suites still under contractions. In addition, the staff mentioned that W Hong Kong will not be able to offer Platinum benefits to SPG Platinum members at this moment due to some issues (ex: soft-opening and the room rate I paid is under promotion rate, system not connected with SPG worldwide yet..something like that..)
Room
Cool and Fashion design, but not impressiveness. If you looking for a nice Harbour view room in Kowloon area, I suggest you choose Sheraton Hong Kong or Peninsula or InterContinental.
Air condition system have some problem, I can hear the voice in action whole night long till 4am.
By the way, there's a "W TWO INTIMACY KIT" in your room, costs HKD$80 for your pleasure.
No welcome chocolate or letter in the room, only an green apple and 3 types of desserts in a plate delivered in the night.
No Sweet Dreams Pillow Menu or W Personalized Wake-up Service Menu offered as well.
Service
Overall, W Hong Kong provided warm and friendly attitude, but in my personal experience, ice bucket needs 10 minutes traveling time to your room. By the way, I asking Whatever/Whenever desk regarding the Visa information of China, one lady in night shift told me she prepared travel agency's address and print-out the visa application form for me, so I can get all documents in the morning, but when I went downs to the Whatever/Whenever desk, seems like the new staff have no idea what I am talking about. I explained both in English and Mandarin, and she make some calls and try to find out the documents for me. Finally, I have all information I want after 15 minutes investigation. (It's just an address/telephone number for one branch of China Travel Service in Tsim Sha Tsui)
Check-out
The guest relation manager Mr. Martin Camp greets me in the front desk, and we chatted about some issues I experienced in W Hong Kong. It's grate, but some details needs more attention in the future.
I am not good in writing English, so here's some pictures I took and hope some other guys can share your experience with W Hong Kong.
W Hong Kong @ August 10, 2008
Location map of W Hong Kong & Elements
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/7654/96924508oo8.png
If anyone wanna arrange Limo transfer service from AEL (Airport Express) Kowloon Station to W Hong Kong, that means you just take a round from AEL Exits/Elements Mall's Ground Floor to Elements Mall's South drop-off entrance in 1st Floor. 3 minutes drive, I guess.
Last edited by MattTaiwan; Aug 14, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Aug 14, 2008, 1:42 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: ORD LAS HKG
Programs: Bonvoy LTT; IHG DiamondAmb; WoH Globalist; UA1K2MM; NationalEE; AvisPC; HertzPC
Posts: 703
I guess that's always the drawback for being the "first" customers. Even though as tempting as it seems to be, my past experience told me that I should stay away from any brand new hotel until 6-8 weeks after the opening to let them work out all the kinks...
Aug 14, 2008, 2:09 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Silicon Valley
Programs: AA:PLT&3MM, HGP:DIA, SPG:GOLD
Posts: 1,896
Love the pictures!
Had a mid September reservation at W. But based on start-up issues and MattTaiwan's lukewarm trip report I decided to cancel it in favor of the Sheraton. Will try the W on my next visit to Hong Kong in December. Hopefully all opening kinks will have been ironed out.
Had a mid September reservation at W. But based on start-up issues and MattTaiwan's lukewarm trip report I decided to cancel it in favor of the Sheraton. Will try the W on my next visit to Hong Kong in December. Hopefully all opening kinks will have been ironed out.
Aug 14, 2008, 2:41 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: CVG
Programs: UA-Silver; Hyatt Platinum; SPG Gold
Posts: 793
I have a 1 night stay in HK on the way back to NY in early Sept. Booked the W but now thinking maybe to change also. I havent been to the Sheraton before. The rate is almost half at the Sheraton (1500) as opposed to W at 2800.
Are there any opening specials at W ?
What about locations ? I have 1 day for a little sight seeing.
Are there any opening specials at W ?
What about locations ? I have 1 day for a little sight seeing.
Last edited by TMOTEE; Aug 14, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Aug 14, 2008, 4:53 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 946
WOW! Thanks for all the pictures! The hotel looks pretty nice, but the harbour view is disappointing 
I think my favourite was the picture of all the Watsons water bottles (at Sweat?) with the labels peeled off and replaced with W stickers.
TMOTEE, if this is your first visit to Hong Kong, Sheraton is much more centrally located. If you splurge for a harbour view room, you'll get much better view than it seems you'll get at the W. While getting around from the W will be easy enough, the Sheraton is in the middle of Tsim Sha Tsui, which is one of the main tourist hubs.
I think my favourite was the picture of all the Watsons water bottles (at Sweat?) with the labels peeled off and replaced with W stickers.
TMOTEE, if this is your first visit to Hong Kong, Sheraton is much more centrally located. If you splurge for a harbour view room, you'll get much better view than it seems you'll get at the W. While getting around from the W will be easy enough, the Sheraton is in the middle of Tsim Sha Tsui, which is one of the main tourist hubs.
Aug 14, 2008, 9:56 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 118
Some more photos here.
I stayed before August 10 actually.
Overall, yes there were some start-up matters
but overall I was quite satisfied with W Hong Kong.
W Hong Kong guest room (Day)
http://blog.naver.com/kosmose7/90033994317
W Hong Kong guest room (Night)
http://blog.naver.com/kosmose7/90033994781
W Hong Kong facilities (Pedicure Room, Rooftop Pool, etc)
http://blog.naver.com/kosmose7/90033994474
W Hong Kong - Living Room Bar
http://blog.naver.com/kosmose7/90033994815
W Hong Kong - Kitchen
http://blog.naver.com/kosmose7/90033994875
W Hong Kong - Liquid Bar at Fire
http://blog.naver.com/kosmose7/90033994928
W Hong Kong - Fire
http://blog.naver.com/kosmose7/90033994973
I stayed before August 10 actually.
Overall, yes there were some start-up matters
but overall I was quite satisfied with W Hong Kong.
W Hong Kong guest room (Day)
http://blog.naver.com/kosmose7/90033994317
W Hong Kong guest room (Night)
http://blog.naver.com/kosmose7/90033994781
W Hong Kong facilities (Pedicure Room, Rooftop Pool, etc)
http://blog.naver.com/kosmose7/90033994474
W Hong Kong - Living Room Bar
http://blog.naver.com/kosmose7/90033994815
W Hong Kong - Kitchen
http://blog.naver.com/kosmose7/90033994875
W Hong Kong - Liquid Bar at Fire
http://blog.naver.com/kosmose7/90033994928
W Hong Kong - Fire
http://blog.naver.com/kosmose7/90033994973
Last edited by Korean Guy; Aug 18, 2008 at 2:47 am
Aug 15, 2008, 1:03 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Bogota, Colombia
Programs: AA EXP, UA *S, Hyatt DIA, *W/IC Plat, HH Gold, A3 *G, Sixt Plat
Posts: 1,218
Thanks for your great photo report!
Looks like a great new W, but I think this report has cemented my decision to go ahead with the IC HKG instead, for the harbour view.
Looks like a great new W, but I think this report has cemented my decision to go ahead with the IC HKG instead, for the harbour view.
Aug 15, 2008, 11:13 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Beijing, China
Programs: BA/A3 Gold/SPG Plat
Posts: 500
You have to explain hotel located in South Drop-off area on Nga Cheung Road’s flyover of Elements Mall. In Chinese will be "雅翔道往柯士甸道西之南側落客口".