Hotel Panorama

As its name implies, this hotel's panoramic position is its prime selling point. And unlike some hotels that claim jaw-dropping views but don't quite deliver -- like the Harbour Grand Hong Kong -- the Panorama by Rhombus has views in spades. Depending on where your room is located -- and where in the hotel you're standing -- those will be of the city, skyline, Victoria Harbour, and/or Hong Kong Island. Inside, though, this is a fairly straightforward property, with just a few extra features to complement its stock of rooms. It's a busy hotel, to be clear, with a constant stream of travelers and locals coming and going throughout the day. That's due to the hotel's two restaurants, which include a popular all-day buffet on the ground floor as well as a sky-high fine-dining venue called Ava. There, high-end meals are accompanied by dazzling views of the surrounding city. Expect to see a wide swath of guests here, from couples wanting romantic city-view rooms to families and businesspeople. There are better options for the money in the area, but if views are your aim, don't look much farther than this hotel.

You can't go far in Tsim Sha Tsui without finding a hotel, but the Panorama by Rhombus has a solid location in the center of the action, but removed enough from some of the louder neighborhood streets. The K11 Art Mall and Hyatt Regency are just across the street, while Nathan Road and Victoria Harbor are both within a five-minute walk. That also puts Salisbury Gardens and the Avenue of the Stars within easy walking distance to view the nightly light shows across the harbor on Hong Kong Island. You'll find limitless shopping, dining, and drinking options in every direction from the hotel, and tranquil Signal Hill Garden is just at the end of the block. You could also head to Kowloon Park if you need even more green space, where mornings see locals doing tai chi among the winding pathways. It's a five-minute walk from the hotel as well. The Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station is just outside the hotel, and trips to Hong Kong Island are only one stop. The hotel's shuttle runs to Kowloon Station for the Airport Express, a trip that will take 45 minutes all in. Otherwise, it's a 30- to 45-minute taxi ride.

Among Hong Kong hotels, rooms here are relatively spacious -- certainly moreso than at other area options like the nearby Xi Hotel. Overall, they make a pleasant impression, with modern-enough style that includes dark hardwood accents and furniture, the occasional shiny surface, and unobtrusive floral artwork. The style is business-like overall, without anything really soft or romantic, and we did spot some wear on the furniture and walls when we visited in 2018. Still, the focus here is, generally speaking, right outside the hotel's walls. That's because rooms are all on the seventh floor or higher, and all feature large windows overlooking Hong Kong's dazzling cityscape. Those on higher floors obviously come with the best views, to Victoria Harbor and across to Hong Kong Island.

Features are fairly standard, including flat-screen TVs, Handy Phones, alarm clocks, electric kettles, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, pillow menus, and minibars. Proper closets and ironing facilities also come standard. Many rooms here have a suite-style layout with separate living areas that, again, offer stunning views. Executive Club Rooms have the best views in the house and those floors are accessed by a private elevator. Bathrooms vary, with either showers or shower/tub combos. The look is modern, though they are compact. Some units -- like Executive Club Rooms -- have windows in the bathrooms for stellar vertigo views. 

Compared to other hotels in this category nearby, Panorama by Rhombus has a limited set of features. There's no pool or spa, and while the hotel advertises its Sky Garden, aside from some lawn furniture and a small fitness area, there's not much ambience or vibe up there at all. Those misses aside, the hotel's dining scene is popular. Cafe Express, on the ground floor, sees a steady crowd of guests for its buffets throughout the day and evening. Up on the 38th floor, Ava is the more refined dining venue and has excellent city and harbor views. Ava is also the venue for the breakfasts for higher-category bookings -- the rest of the guests eat breakfast downstairs in Cafe Express. The hotel has a ground-floor fitness center that has a good range of modern cardio and weight equipment. There are meeting rooms and business services, and Wi-Fi is free. Note that the hotel also runs a free shuttle to Kowloon Station for access to the Airport Express.