Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel

Attached to the Harbour City shopping complex -- the largest in Hong Kong -- the Marco Polo is surrounded by high-fashion retail stores pushing brands such as Burberry, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes, and the hotel's atmosphere is similarly luxurious. The beautiful lobby is washed in warm ambient lighting, and the ceiling and front desk are covered in rich natural wood. The space is long and narrow, just like the inside of the shopping mall. Glowing frosted glass panels and golden backlighting keep the tone sedate, despite the large volume of guests coming and going throughout the day and evening. There are multiple dining options on site, as well as bars and lounge areas for guests. None of them have feel personal or intimate, but venues like Cucina and Cafe Marco are elegant. with artful hardwood decor in the shimmering, granite-clad Cucina. The hotel has the look and feel of a business hotel, and indeed a majority of guests are business travelers, though couples, families, and solo travelers also pass through in high numbers. 

Part of the Harbour City shopping complex, there are numerous upscale designer fashion outlets adjacent to the hotel and plenty of places to eat in the surrounding area. It's a five-minute walk to the Star Ferry Pier and a 12-minute walk to either of Tsim Sha Tsui's major MTR stations (Tsim Sha Tsui or Tsim Sha Tsui East). The hotel is also a 10-minute to the Victoria Harbor waterfront, home to the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Avenue of the Stars (Hong Kong's version of Hollywood's Walk of Fame). The Hong Kong International Airport is half-hour away by car, or about an hour away by public transportation.

The 665 rooms and suites mix contemporary with classic elements and have modern, earth-toned decor. Some of the furniture has 19th-century flair -- think upholstered wooden chairs and bed stools with cabriole legs. Gray pinstriped carpets look sharp against taupe walls that are hung with Rothko-esque abstract art. These aren't the most cutting edge spaces in Hong Kong in design terms, but the traditional look is appealing. Many rooms have views of the harbor and the Hong Kong skyline, while others have pool views. All come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and electric kettles. Higher-end units come with Nespresso machines and iPod docks. Bathrooms have shower/tub combos or walk-in showers along with black granite vanities, antique-style fixtures, and toiletries. A separate tier of Continental Club Rooms and Suites are housed on the 17th and 18th floors; guests on these floors get access to the club lounge, which includes extras such as a free breakfast and a personal butler service.

The hotel features an outdoor lap pool tucked into a stone sundeck on the sixth floor, which is accompanied by cushioned lounge chairs and leaf-shaped wicker lounge chairs. There's also a 24-hour fitness center with warm lighting plus modern treadmills and cardio machines with built-in flat-screen TVs. Children's amenities include a turndown service with gifts for kids and discounted, buffet dining for those under 11. There's also a kids' club. For adults, Cafe Marco serves international fare with an all-day buffet and an a la carte menu, while the formal Cucina specializes in Italian cuisine and has outdoor patio seating with views of the harbor. There's also a lobby lounge with afternoon tea and a massive rum menu. The hotel has free Wi-Fi and 14 different event spaces, including modern meeting rooms; there's an elegant ballroom as well, complete with crystal chandeliers, that can host up to 432 guests. Car services can be arranged as can airport transfers.