9 luxe Hong Kong hotels for your stay in the Fragrant Harbour

For a masterclass in five-star service, you can’t go past The Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, which has been setting the standard for more than 60 years at its flagship property on Connaught Road. With its prime location and harbourfront views, The MO offers guests easy access to everything Hong Kong has to offer – from the flagship boutiques of The Landmark to the colourful laneways of Central and Soho. Located opposite the iconic Star Ferry Pier, guests can easily traverse Victoria Harbour to explore Kowloon and beyond. Or simply luxuriate in the splendour of the hotel, where you’ll find one of the world’s best hotel spas, along with Michelin-starred dining (Man Wah and Mandarin Bar + Grill) and one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars (The Aubrey).

Reasons to stay:

• Nine restaurants and bars
• Multi-award-winning spa
• Harbourfront views

Following an extensive renovation, which has seen all 399 guest rooms given a crisp, modern upgrade, Four Seasons Hong Kong shines bright once again as one of the city’s leading hotels. Home to an incredible eight Michelin stars (including the three-star French restaurant Caprice and two-star Cantonese fine-diner Lung King Heen), the property prides itself on its extensive culinary offering. It’s also home to a harbour front infinity pool (arguably the best hotel pool in Hong Kong), which serves up endless Instagram opportunities. Those wanting to delve deeper into the city’s history and culture can sign up for the hotel’s signature experiences, which range from street food tours through to visiting temples and monasteries.

Reasons to stay:

• Three swimming pools
• 10 restaurants
• Spa and wellness centre

Best luxury hotel in Wan Chai

Designed by acclaimed interior designer Andre Fu (the visionary behind Hong Kong’s Upper House hotel and Tokyo’s Sezanne restaurant) The St. Regis Hong Kong is the place to stay for those who prefer their luxury on the quiet side. Located in the business district of Wan Chai (which comes alive at night, especially around the infamous Lockhart Road), The St. Regis acts as a sanctuary of calm restraint, thanks to its spacious rooms, sophisticated palette, and Michelin-starred restaurants (Run and L’Envol). A private rooftop pool provides the cherry-on-top for those looking to escape the city’s bustle.

Reasons to stay:

• Each of the 127 rooms are individually decorated
• Steam room and day spa
• 24-hour health club and outdoor pool

Best luxury hotels in Admiralty

Located at the base of The Peak, The Upper House has been one of Hong Kong’s most exclusive addresses for more than a decade, offering the dual luxuries of space (entry-level rooms are 68 square metres) and sweeping views of the city and Victoria Harbour. While the property doesn’t offer a pool or spa, the hotel’s signature bathrooms can be transformed on-demand with in-room spa treatments available.

Reasons to stay:

• Wellness spa
• Rooftop lawn
• Designed by Andre Fu

A place to retreat to in the urban jungle, a 140-year-old Banyan tree resides in the lobby of Island Shangri-La. From oysters and live jazz at Lobster Bar to French fine dining at Michelin-starred Restaurant Petrus, the seven award-winning restaurants spoil you for culinary choice after a day exploring the island. Sitting above Pacific Place Mall in Admiralty, you’re also primed for holiday shopping.

Reasons to stay:

• Seven award-winning restaurants
• Beauty salon
• Outdoor pool

Opening in 2019, Rosewood Hong Kong soars over Victoria Harbour where the arts and design district of the Victoria Dockside thrives. Boasting thoughtful hospitality and comfortable yet tailored interiors down the cobblestone driveway, the five-star hotel features 10 distinctive dining concepts including Michelin star Cantonese restaurant The Legacy House, as well as offering wellness, skin and hair spa treatments.

Reasons to stay:

• Close to metro stations and ferry
• Outdoor pool
• Fitness centre

Embracing local culture within the vibrant Hong Kong neighbourhood of Tsim Sha Tsui, Mondrian Hong Kong’s take on luxury is a boldly modern one. Design motifs flow throughout each of the hotel’s 324 rooms – reimagining classic design through a contemporary lens. Wander the artistic dockside before having a drink at the award-winning Avoca and dining at Dario Cecchini’s contemporary Italian steakhouse Carna.

Reasons to stay:

• Contemporary interior design
• Prime location by Victoria Harbour
• Fitness centre

Best luxury hotels in Kowloon

Known as the Grand Dame of the Far East, The Peninsula Hong Kong boasts almost 100 years of considered hospitality and five-star service within its walls. Swim in the Roman-style indoor pool, indulge within the 12 000-square-foot spa and dine the eight award-winning bars and restaurants – featuring French, Chinese, Swiss and Japanese cuisines – within the hotel.

Reasons to stay:

• Overlooks Victoria Harbour and Kowloon
• Indoor swimming pool
• Fitness centre

One of the world’s highest hotels, The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong elevates luxury on the 102nd-118th floors of the International Commerce Centre, with its skyline and harbour vistas at 490 metres above sea level. Take the Mass Transit Railway just 10 minutes to Central for the day before coming back to the heart of Kowloon and eating at one of the hotel’s six venues such as Michelin-star dining at Tin Lung Heen.

Reasons to stay:

• One of world’s highest hotels
• Spa and fitness centre
• Indoor pool