Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui

While it's not the largest hotel in Hong Kong, the Hyatt Regency feels big and lively while still remaining decidedly polished and upscale. Part of that is due to its location in one of the busiest parts of Hong Kong, surrounded by streets lined with blazing neon lights plus shops, bars, and restaurants of all stripes. It also happens to be attached to the K11 Art Mall, a fancy and well-trafficked spot that lends the Hyatt its upbeat vibe. The hotel's lower floors are buzzing with the comings and goings of hotel guests and a mix of tourists and locals stopping by to visit the hotel's popular restaurants and bars. Chief among those is The Cafe, on the first floor, which pulls in a wide swath of guests day and night. Interiors here have a sober, yet attractive, contemporary style with lots of dark wood and stone, alongside sparingly deployed modern art. It feels very much like a corporate hotel, with check-in that's efficient (if impersonal), though the clean lines and subtle patterns found here and there add the right dash of casual style. With a wealth of facilities, there's enough here to help travelers of all stripes unwind after a day touring the city or tending to business. 

For travelers who want to be smack in the middle of busy Tsim Sha Tsui, it's hard to find a better location than this Hyatt Regency. The hotel towers over the neighboring buildings, with views to the harbor from higher floors. It's also attached to the upscale K11 Art Mall and the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station. Nathan Road -- the neighborhood's main drag -- is just a block away and is home to plenty of malls and high-end retailers, while the iconic Peninsula Hong Kong is a five-minute walk from the Hyatt. It will take 10 minutes on foot to reach Salisbury Gardens and the Avenue of the Stars, which are prime viewpoints for the nightly light show across the harbor on Hong Kong Island. Getting to that side of the harbor is easy by MTR, and it's only one stop to Admiralty from the metro station below the Hyatt. The airport is also easy to reach. The hotel runs a free scheduled shuttle to Kowloon Station for the Airport Express. The whole trip should take no longer than 45 minutes. By taxi, it's a 30- to 45-minute ride and will cost quite a bit more.

The rooms here hew closely to Hyatt's corporate-friendly ethos, though they manage to be attractive without an excess of design flourishes. Instead, expect small details that add upscale polish, like upholstered headboards, warm hardwood accents, and Hong Kong-inspired black-and-white photography. The windowside banquettes are an excellent addition, particularly in the highest-floor rooms, which have amazing city views and often include partial vantages of Victoria Harbor. A range of configurations are available, from entry-level units to suites with separate living areas. Club Rooms are also available that provide a few extra in-hotel perks, like access to the Club Lounge. Standard features include electric kettles, flat-screen TVs, minibars, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Upgraded rooms add extras like Nespresso machines and better city views. Bathrooms are attractive, and many higher-category bathrooms include separate rainfall showers and soaking tubs. There's also plenty of closet space, plus secret details in some units like peek-a-boo bathroom mirrors that open to the bedroom, adding the illusion of space. To that end, rooms here are on the larger side of the spectrum when it comes to Hong Kong, where hotel rooms are often miniscule.

While the Hyatt may not have the boutique style that's on display at some of the upscale and luxury properties in Hong Kong, it does generally deliver when it comes to extras and features. That starts with its dining and drinking scene, which includes the incredibly popular The Cafe. Serving food all day, this buffet restaurant is one of the most liked restaurants in Tsim Sha Tsui, and draws hotel guests, tourists from other properties, and locals alike. Other options include Catonese and Western restaurants as well as Chin-Chin, where live music is offered in the evenings. Like any good business hotel, there's a large amount of meeting and event space here, though leisure facilities are fairly robust as well. The hotel has one of the best outdoor pools in Kowloon, with a massive sundeck, plenty of space, a kids' area, and a whirlpool. It has decent views of the surrounding neighborhood. The fitness center offers modern cardio and weight equipment for a basic, but complete, workout. Unfortunately, there's no spa here, though massages are available at plenty of outlets in the area. Other business-ready perks include the hotel's attractive Club Lounge, which is available to higher-category and Club-level bookings. Free breakfasts for those guests are served here, as are evenings cocktails and canapes. Taxis queue directly downstairs in the hotel's private driveway, making it easy to navigate Hong Kong without even leaving the premises. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Free shuttles run to Kowloon station for the Airport Express train. Check ahead for the schedule.