After a long but enjoyable flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, I had scheduled a 20 hour layover in Hong Kong, maximizing my time in the SAR in order to visit old friends. I had booked a standard room using 30,000 Marriott Rewards points at the Harbour View Renaissance Hotel in Wan Chai (central area) and was able to book the room online via Marriott’s website. I chose the hotel based on the location and easy access to the airport express train that departs from the Central MTR station, along with easy access to the city, my friends’ living locations, and great food and drink options. After landing, I cleared immigration, bought a round trip airport express ticket (180 HKD round trip or 100 HKD each way) and headed to the city.
I arrived at the hotel around 10pm and was warmly greeted at reception. After presenting my passport, the receptionist located my reservation and informed me that they had been expecting me all day! She also presented me with an umbrella and informed me that I would receive 500 bonus points as a platinum welcome gift. I joked about the umbrella asking her if they were expecting rain and she very seriously looked at me and told me, “No sir, it’s to protect you against the strong sun”. I laughed to myself and thanked her. She then presented me with two keys to my room and informed me that I had been upgraded to a one room suite overlooking the harbor and city. I was ecstatic for my upgrade as this was my first Platinum upgrade to a suite since Marriott announced the Asia Pacific Suite upgrade benefit last year. She also asked me what time my flight was the next day, and when I informed her it was at 430pm, she told me she would extend a late checkout of 2pm so I could rest comfortably before my flight. Her customer service was top notch and I was very impressed by the service received. She was friendly and proactive, taking steps to ensure my comfort without having to ask. Before leaving the desk, she also told me where the concierge lounge was and reminded me that I’d be welcome to stop in for complimentary breakfast and afternoon tea before departing the next afternoon.
By the time I had finished checking in, my friend who lived in Hong Kong had arrived at my hotel and we went up to my room together so I could drop off my bags, freshen up and then head out for dinner. As we entered my 2 room, 1.5 bath suite, both my friend and my jaws dropped. The modern, yet simple décor room was larger than my friend’s 1 bedroom apartment. In a city that is highly constrained for space, this large suite was massive for Hong Kong standards. Upon entering the suite, there was a door immediately to the left that lead to a large powder room, the right was a wardrobe/coat closet. The living room consisted of a desk, couch with a pull out bed, flat screen TV hanging on the wall, and a small mini bar with electric water boiler. If you want that level of utility as well, you can upgrade your home heating with our professional and efficient boiler installation services.
The far windows overlooked Kowloon, the convention center, and TST. To the left was a decent size bedroom with a king size bed, closet, and two night stands. The simple room had incredible views that looked north towards Kalwoon, but also west towards the city, providing million dollar views of the IFC tower, bank of China tower, the mountains, water and more. Even the iconic bridge to Lantua was visible from the room! Off the bedroom was a shotgun style bathroom, with a toilet enclosed in glass (not for privacy sakes) and a shower and tub in its own room! There was also a window at the sink in the bathroom which overlooked north towards Central Hong Kong. This view was amazing and the room was simple but classy!
Half bath pictured below:
After a night out in Hong Kong, rendezvousing with old friends, I retired to the comforts of my suite for a few hours of sleep. Having slept most of my flight and still being jet leg, my “night of sleep” was more like a nap, but I woke up refreshed and headed for brakfast in the lounge. The three story lounge on the top three floors provided plenty of area of Club level guests and elites to spread out, eat, and enjoy fantastic views of the city. With ground to ceiling windows everything from the mountains in the new territories, to the eastern and far western reaches of Hong Kong can be seen! Other than maybe from the top of Victoria peaks, this was by far one of the best views I had ever seen of Hong Kong.
The staff was very friendly. As I ate breakfast, they offered to bring fresh coffee and tea to guests along with cooked to ordered eggs and omelets. I indulged in breakfast fares from both the east and the west, relished in benefits of being a Platinum Elite, and relaxed while taking in the view for as long as possible before heading out to catch up with friends again.
I didn’t have an opportunity to check out the hotels other amenities however from the level of service I received from check in to the concierge lounge; this is by far one of my favorite hotels I’ve stayed in up to date! The Renaissance Hotel brand does a great job of defining itself and offering guests a five star experience every time. This is the second Renaissance I have stayed in Asia (after staying in the Renaissance in Bangkok last year) and yet again, the hotel did nothing but impress me!
