A sign that Hong Kong is in the midst of an economic surge: its ultraluxe hotels are being booked not only by Westerners passing through but by an increasing number of wealthy Chinese in town from the mainland. And with a new shine to many of Hong Kong's most opulent properties — perhaps to compete for those Chinese yuan — it's almost worth traveling across the Pacific just to experience their distinctive brand of service. Here, an insider's guide to help you decide which is the best fit.
For the Foodie: The Intercontinental Hong Kong
The Hotel: The unmatched views across Victoria Harbour from the recently renovated InterContinental can never be obscured (the hotel rests on pylons in the water, after all).
The Main Draw: Alain Ducasse opened a branch of his restaurant Spoon in the hotel four years ago; now Nobu's latest outpost sits a floor above. Order hand rolls from the nine-seat sushi counter, then have a cocktail at the bar, made from a rough-hewn chunk of banyan tree. Double rooms from $530. 18 Salisbury Rd., Kowloon; 800-327-0200; hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com.
For the Glamour Seeker: The Mandarin Oriental
The hotel: The original Mandarin (built in 1963) just received a $140 million upgrade. From the glossy black marble floors in the bathrooms to the forest of white amaryllises in the lobby, the place radiates the classic allure of a hotel on London's Park Lane.
The main draw: Two types of accommodations are offered: business travelers choose the Taipan rooms, which face the city and exude masculinity (dark-wood furniture, lots of leather details); holidaymakers like the Veranda rooms, in beige and suede, which overlook the harbor and have a softer feel. And in a smart move, guest-room balconies were enclosed in glass to enlarge the space. Double rooms from $460. 5 Connaught Rd., Central; 800-526-6566; mandarinoriental.com.
For the Sybarite: The Peninsula
The hotel: Stellar service has always been the Peninsula's signature. You'll find a fleet of customized Rolls-Royces (fourteen new Phantoms were delivered last year), twin helipads on the roof (with a private elevator) and other unexpected touches.
The main draw: The 12,000-square-foot, two-story Espa offers Asian and Ayurvedic therapies. Request your treatment in a room with floor-to-ceiling harbor views. Double rooms from $473. Salisbury Rd., Kowloon; 866-382-8388; hongkong.peninsula.com.
For the Art Lover: Langham Place
The hotel: China's art market is the hottest in the world, and this forty-two-story skyscraper is a vertical gallery-cum-hotel.
The main draw: An artists-in-residence program brings in fresh Hong Kong talent; docents are on hand to give free tours of highlights from the hotel's 1,500-piece collection. Double rooms from $210. 555 Shanghai St., Mongkok, Kowloon; 800-588-9141; hongkong.langhamplacehotels.com.
For the Shopaholic: The Landmark Mandarin Oriental
The Hotel: Public areas by interior-design guru Adam Tihany (New York's Per Se and Le Cirque 2000) are lush and gilded, with a contemporary vibe; in the guest rooms, designer Peter Remedios (Mandarin Oriental Munich) opted for dark-wood furniture with silver accents, walnut floors and spectacular circular tubs.
The Main Draw: The hotel rises above Hong Kong's finest mall. There's a huge Louis Vuitton and a Harvey Nichols, but the lesser-known, equally worthwhile labels are more impressive, whether you select Alber Elbaz's revitalized Lanvin or the rock-star cult Swedish brand J. Lindeberg. Double rooms from $549. 15 Queen's Rd., Central; 800-526-6566; mandarinoriental.com.
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