Harbour Grand Hong Kong

The Harbour Grand Hong Kong is one of the most popular options in the city. And while it certainly has public spaces that live up the grand claims in its name, this hotel does fall just short of being a true luxury property. That's not to say it's a bad option at all -- in fact, for rates like this, the Harbour Grand Hong Kong is an appealing upscale choice that's packed with amenities. Doormen greet guests as they come and go throughout the day, offering a formal welcome to the hotel's opulent public spaces. Ceilings soar. Chandeliers dazzle overhead. Staircases swoop off in one direction while glinting light is cast off the marble floors. It's a pretty spectacular greeting, and you'll spot families, tour groups, business travelers, and guests of all stripes streaming in all directions. Restaurants and bars here are incredibly popular, particularly the top-floor Le 188°, where views of Hong Kong and the harbor are nothing short of stunning. This certainly isn't an intimate boutique hotel, and some parts of the property are starting to show some wear. Additionally, while all rooms do have some semblance of a harbor view, keep in mind that an adjacent highway can interrupt views from lower floors (including at the pool) and that the two wings of the hotel block wide-angle views from some rooms as well.

The Harbour Grand Hong Kong trades on its location in a big way, and its harbor-adjacent setting definitely provides some amazing city views from higher-floor rooms and dining venues. If you're looking to explore the local area as well, you're in luck, as Fortress Hill has some cool hidden gems. Just two blocks away, on Wang On Road, is a strip of both traditional Catonese canteens and trendy contemporary joints. There are numerous local bakeries and egg waffle stands in the area as well, plus the cool contemporary art installations on display at Oi, just two blocks away. The Fortress Hill MTR station is only a five-minute walk from the hotel, as are trolleys along Kings Road. It's two stops on the MTR to Causeway Bay for shopping, and a 30-minute metro trip to Central. By using the MTR and Airport Express you can reach the airport in just over an hour, a trip that will take 30 to 45 minutes by taxi, though traffic can alter travel times drastically. 

Rooms here are pleasantly modern, though are starting to show a bit of wear. They're also quite spacious by Hong Kong standards, and most have a partially separate seating area with a love seat. Expect to see lots of dark tones and urban-inspired accent wall art, plus wood-veneer surfaces and pops of soft green in the drapes and carpets. Beds have pillowtop mattresses and were some of the most comfortable that we found on our 2018 trip to Hong Kong. What's more? Rooms stay silent at night, making for an excellent night's sleep. A wide range of configurations are available, including suites, and some have patios. Of course, the main selling point of this hotel are the harbor views. To be clear, all rooms have at least a glimpse of the harbor. However, only rooms at the two wings that form the ends of the hotel will have full-on unobstructed views of the harbor and Kowloon. Additionally, you'll want to book a higher-floor room, as lower floors will have views obstructed by a double-decker highway. Be sure to confirm your booking ahead of time if an unobstructed, full view is what you want, as the rooms' names aren't always forthcoming or entirely accurate.Standard features include air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and electric kettles. Glass-panel bathrooms feature massive round tubs-for-two, and screens can be drawn to add privacy.

While the style here may not quite live up to the hotel's luxury claims, there are enough features on-site to add value to a stay here. The most popular features are unsurprisingly oriented toward the harbor and include the wildly popular Le 188°. This dining venue is a well-liked bar and restaurant among hotel guests, other tourists, and locals alike, and has sky-high views across Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong Island, and across to Kowloon. Other dining options include the Harbor Cafe for all-day meals and the massive breakfast buffet (extra fee), as well as Cantonese and Japanese venues. The hotel's fitness center has a decent array of equipment for a complete workout, and looks out toward the pool. It's open to private members, and there's also a spa for massages and treatments. The pool is nice enough, and includes a children's section and whirlpool, but the views to the harbor aren't spectacular. For starters, it's hemmed in by the hotel's east and west wings, and there's a double decker highway between the pool and the harbor.Meeting and event space is plentiful here, and the lobby lounge is a frequent scene of on-the-go meetings. A free shuttle runs to Central, making one-way trips. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.