Dorsett Mongkok Hong Kong

Occupying a sleek soaring edifice, the Dorsett Mongkok is a towering modern hotel that has a similar feel to neighboring hotels. Formerly the Cosmo Hotel Mongkok, the property has since been renovated throughout and features a bright, airy, and super-smart reception area finished in sharp 21st-century styling in polished white stone. The vibe is friendly, though business-like, while interiors are spotlessly clean throughout -- though some might find the decor a little too stark in its minimalism. Unlike all Hong Kong hotels, this is 100% smoke-free, meaning interiors are fresh throughout its 27 floors, while those on higher levels afford superb panoramic views of the city.

This hotel is located between the bustling and older Mong Kok district and the newer and developing Tai Kok Tsui neighborhood in the western part of Hong Kong's Kowloon Peninsula. While not the most attractive spot in the city -- the hotel overlooks a motorway bridge -- the surrounding area is full of local diners, shops, and bars. While there are few tourist attractions nearby, the huge Olympian City shopping mall is less than a 10 minutes' walk away, as is the Olympic MTR station. The hotel does offer a shuttle bus service to the more tourist-centric areas, while the city's main financial district is 10 minutes away by taxi -- providing that traffic isn't too bad.

The hotel has 285 rooms, all simply decorated in clean modern styling with minimal contemporary furnishings, crisp white walls, and mirrored paneling. In-room tech is particularly impressive with 26-inch flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and free high-speed Wi-Fi. The hotel also offers guests free use of smartphones with unlimited 4G internet, local calls, and international calls to nine countries. No deposit is necessary. In-room comforts include high-quality mattresses and 300 thread-count linen, while refreshments come in the form of tea/coffee facilities, free mineral water, and minibars. Mosaic-finished bathrooms have both massage and rainfall shower heads, as well as decent toiletries and slippers. While higher-floor rooms provide some stunning views over Hong Kong, most standard-level rooms are tiny and some have internal soundproofing issues.

The hotel's restaurant, Oneonefishone, serves up a buffet breakfast each morning with hot and cold items, though it's only included in the Executive room rate. Lunch is also served buffet-style, and dinners feature hot-pot dishes with fresh seafood. The restaurant has a pleasant outside terrace for alfresco dining. The hotel, however, does come up short with health and fitness facilities, offering just a small fitness room (albeit a modern one). An Executive lounge offers computer terminals, free drinks, and a massage chair while the hotel's shuttle service ferries guests around the city free of charge. An airport limo is also available for a fee.