Hong Kong is always exciting, especially during the monsoons. And, the best of all... with all the typhoon warnings, it generally has fewer tourists than normal.
There are few places where all the action of weather and city can be enjoyed the most and that is at the Regent Hong Kong. Having undergone a refurbishment a year ago, the hotel has completely transformed itself, even down to the smallest details. Having been the “face” of the majestic Victoria Harbour, the legendary hotel was redesigned by Hong Kong-born, Milan-based designer Chi Wing Lo, who integrated heritage, serene aesthetics and the Regent signature Beauty of Contrasts.
The first thing that impresses is the driveway leading to the feng shui fountain and the large wooden front doors, which are studded. Feng shui is even expressed in the decor inside the large lobby. Dragons, apparently, do not know how to use doors but can pass through glass, hence the 16 walls of glass bricks in the lobby, made in the Chinese lui li style. The feng shui also extends to the panoramic picture window facing Hong Kong harbour to allow the nine dragons access to their bathing spot on the bay. Of course, any presence of dragons ensures a prosperous building. The onyx reception desk is worth mentioning if only for the 50-foot-long digital installation behind it and the small ledges to put your handbag on when checking in or out.
Squares and circles, representing the balance of heaven and Earth, are embedded into the Regent’s ultra-clean-lined design palette, and can be seen on every floor. Rooms are divided into 12 types and three groups. The Classic Harbourview Room wows as soon as you enter with the Japanese-style bath tub, deep and with seating, in the spacious open bathroom. Though the lack of Japanese toilets is a tad disappointing. But it is the view from almost anywhere in the room that will leave you spell-bound.
The beautiful picture-framed window has spectacular views of Hong Kong in all its splendour. You will have a hard time getting off the day bed that is against it. With the various weather “moods”, it is one of the best places to be any time of day or night. The doors to the bathroom can be drawn and they are glass covered so you are surrounded with the views even from bed!
If you do manage to get out of bed in the mornings, breakfast is served Harbourside on the ground floor. While it is a scrumptious spread offering of everything one could possibly eat, the hotel’s specials are the Eggs Benedict, which are also offered with a local twist. Aside from the usual cold cuts, salads and cheese, the spread also has a variety of Asian dishes, dim sum, turnip cake (a favourite of mine), and Hong Kong-style beef noodles. What made my mornings was the Hong Kong milk tea and the fact that the staff greeted you by name and remembered your likes from the day before. Considering the constant flow of breakfast people, this is quite the feat!
A stay at the Regent Hong Kong isn’t complete till one has dined at the two Michelin-starred Lai Ching Heen. Having opened some four decades ago, the Cantonese restaurant is a culinary treasure. The interiors are inspired by a jade jewellery box, complete with jade-themed elements like place settings. The walkway to the dining section showcases Chinese art on the walls carved in jade stone.
Lunch here is a treat with the views and the dim sum, for which the restaurant is world-renowned. Since day one, Lai Ching Heen has been renowned for the quality of its dim sum. Highlights include the Lai Ching Teen superior dumpling triplets, which are Steamed crabmeat dumpling with assorted vegetables, Steamed lobster and sea urchin dumpling with Sarcodon aspratus mushroom, and Steamed scallop dumpling with housmade XO sauce. Don’t forget to get the house special, Sparkling golden oolong with longan honey, which is a delightful alternative to a boozy lunch. The Golden stuff crab shell with crabmeat is another winner as is the Wok-fried Kagoshima wagyu with hon-shimenji mushrooms and garlic.
To spend a lazy afternoon by the huge pool is a must on a sunny day. The privacy and serenity adds to the ambience of looking over the glass-walled jacuzzi and dipping pools towards Victoria Harbour.
The hotel is adjacent to the popular K11 Musea shopping mall and even has direct access to it. The Avenue Of The Stars is a hop, skip and jump away and you don’t even have to leave your habourview room to see the iconic light show at 8pm. A short walk away and accessible via the underground walkways is MTR Tsim Sha Tsui.
As far as Hong Kong luxury hotels go, you’d be hard pressed to find rooms with such views (unless you’re staying next door). The Regent Hong Kong is one of those hotels where you’d come for the views, but stay for the impeccable service!
