If you’re tired of run-of-the-mill hotel chains and are looking for somewhere a little more unique and locally inspired, consider staying at one of Hong Kong’s best boutique hotels.
These smaller gems offer comfort, personalised service and convenient locations, all without breaking the bank.
The Mira Hong Kong, Nathan Road
Hotel
The Mira Hong Kong Hotel, Kowloon, Kong Kong | Courtesy of The Mira Hong Kong Hotel / Hotels.com
The Mira offers five-star boutique luxury at its finest. The hotel’s 436 guestrooms and suites are immaculately designed with sleek ‘urban luxe’ interiors and the latest in-room technology. Best of all, the hotel is located along the bustling Nathan Road in the heart of Tsim Tsa Tsui – Kowloon’s leading shopping and entertainment district. Top attractions such as the Hong Kong Cultural Museum and Space Museum are right on your doorstep. It’s also just a five-minute stroll to the iconic Star Ferry and MTR, giving you quick access to the rest of Hong Kong.
Opened in 1881, Hullett House was the former Marine Police Headquarters and is one of the city’s most beautiful colonial buildings. A stay here envelops you in the charm of old Hong Kong and is a welcome break from the onslaught of ultra-modern skyscrapers that otherwise dominate the city. It features ten individually themed suites, all generously sized with high-ceilings, wooden floors and their own enormous balconies. Wake up here and you’ll feel like royalty as you enjoy breakfast on the verandah and look out at the beautiful grounds. The hotel boasts several in-house dining options and benefits from a prime location in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui surrounded by numerous leading restaurants, shopping malls and attractions.
Located in the heart of the city’s chic and historically rich Wan Chai neighbourhood, Hotel Indigo is on the doorstep of many of Hong Kong Island’s best shops, markets, restaurants, bars and lively nightspots. The hotel’s mix of 138 rooms and suites are all fitted with modern amenities and free Wi-Fi. A standout feature is the hotel’s glass-bottomed infinity pool located on the 29th floor. A generous portion of the pool hangs over the edge of the building allowing swimmers to look down on the streets below. It makes a great photo if you can get someone to snap you from ground level.
If you’re looking to explore the city, you can’t do much better than a stay at the oft-overlooked Bauhinia Hotel in Central. It’s located right where the eclectic Sheung Wan neighbourhood meets Central and is super convenient for accessing transport – MTR station is right around the corner, along with a neighbouring taxi stand and tram station. The Shun Tak Centre, with ferries to Macau, is literally across the road. Complete with 42 generously sized guest rooms, it’s friendly, clean, offers free broadband Wi-Fi, and is very reasonably priced considering its prime location.
For starters, Hotel ICON’s mini bar is completely free and replenished every day. Guests can also enjoy unlimited Wi-Fi access and international calls to 27 countries. The luxurious rooms with sweeping views of the Victoria Harbour are a nice touch, too. It’s conveniently located in the city’s harbourside Tsim Sha Tsui East entertainment district surrounded by some of the trendiest restaurants and bars in town. Operated in association with a hospitality training school, you get exceedingly good value for your money. Anyone sceptical of a student training hotel need only check the reviews where it’s consistently ranked as one of the top hotels in the city.
Situated in the city’s first historic stone-slab street, The Pottinger is designed to reflect the city’s unique East-meets-West heritage with 68 luxury guest rooms embracing the charm of old Hong Kong with a modern twist. The hotel also benefits from being steps away from a wide variety of international restaurants, shops, speciality street stalls, as well as Hong Kong’s premier nightlife and party scene. It was also the proud recipient of ‘Asia’s Best City Boutique Hotel in 2014’, awarded by the World Boutique Hotel Awards.
Far from being just another run-of-the-mill place to lay your head, Hotel Stage in Hong Kong’s vibrant Jordan neighbourhood shines the spotlight on local character and culture. The hotel has its own in-house art initiative and gallery space that showcases works by local artists with a commitment to fostering a sense of culture and community. Its guest rooms are designed with minimalist interiors and are equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The hotel is also in easy reach of several of Kowloon’s prominent landmarks and attractions including Tin Hau Temple and the popular Temple Street Night Market.
With its all-glass exterior, 99 Bonham is ultra sleek from the outside and equally so inside. This all-suite hotel features 84 spacious, stylishly minimalist rooms with luxury bathrooms and fantastic views. Some rooms feature a small kitchenette, too. Located in the heart of Sheung Wan, it’s one of the most fascinating neighbourhoods to explore brimming with some of the best restaurants, cafés, bars, shopping, antique stores and historic sites the city has to offer. Popular nightlife spots including Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo are just a short walk away. The MTR subway station is located around the corner providing easy access to Central and the rest of Hong Kong.
