The Ritz-Carlton is hard to miss. Towering over Hong Kong, on the top floors of the International Commerce Centre (ICC)’s 102nd and 118th floor, the hotel glistens in the sky above the Kowloon peninsula. And with it, comes some of the most spectacular views you could ever wish to see in this city.
Location: 8/10
Perched at the top of the ICC, the location of The Ritz-Carlton grants it some stellar views and that in itself is one of its biggest selling points here. It’s also situated just above the Elements mall, which is great if you’re in need of some designer shopping action or dining options. Kowloon MTR station is also within the mall, making the trip from airport to hotel a quick 30 minutes. However, signage for the hotel inside is a little confusing and can lead you astray — making what should be a short walk, a lengthy mall trek.
Design: 8/10
Less than a decade old, The Ritz-Carlton has been very smart in their design choices. The interiors are well kept and has remained looking modern and elegant, while the overall feel, as a business hotel, seems rather timeless. Drawing guests in with its showmanship, the hotel’s high-speed lifts take a mere 80 seconds to reach the 103rd floor from the ground level up, and continue to capture their attention with the stunning panoramic view. This takes centre stage on all floors, with floor to ceiling windows throughout creating bright and shiny spaces.
Ambience: 8/10
You might expect The Ritz-Carlton to be rather stuffy — sitting at the top of Hong Kong — but actually the vibe here is really quite relaxed. The guests are a mixture of business, families (both old and young), and couples travelling to Hong Kong or on a luxury staycation. The atmosphere is positively warm and the teams of friendly staff reflect that extremely well.
Rooms: 7/10
We stayed in the Deluxe Victoria Harbour Room, and enjoyed 24-hour Club Lounge access during our visit too. The sizeable 540 sq. ft. room is straightforward with a contemporary design; think clean lines, beige and earthy tones with plush textiles punctuated by polished surfaces and dark wood. A separate bathtub and rainforest shower are the main features of the marble bathroom, as well as the added bonus of a double sink. Other room highlights included the 42-inch flat screen LCD TV, 400-thread count lined King Bed, London’s Asprey bath amenities, Nespresso machine, laundry and valet services.
Service & Facilities: 9/10
Speaking of laundry services, we received one of the most efficient pressing services we’ve had during our stay (less than one hour). But the teams here are not only prompt, they’re incredibly affable. It is smiles all round, with most staff introducing themselves and more than willing to strike up a conversation. It’s worth considering a Club floor upgrade if it isn’t included in room category. As, along with the usual first-rate service, you’ll also get swift check-in at the club lounge (or you can head directly to your room), and 5 meal presentations a day (Afternoon Tea included) along with dedicated concierge service.
Food & Drink: 8/10
With six dining venues available to all, guests are spoilt for choice at The Ritz-Carlton. Especially since it includes Michelin-starred restaurants such as Tosca di Angelo, which serves up inventive Italian cuisine, and Tin Lung Heen, which offers high-end Cantonese fare worthy of its two star status. Meanwhile, Ozone, the world’s highest bar delivers creative cocktails, sushi, tapas and its popular Sunday brunch. However, with Club Level access, we spent most of our time in the Club Lounge and though service (along with drinks) was indeed top notch, the food unfortunately fell slightly short.
Rates: start from HK$3,200/night for the Deluxe Room (or HK$5,400/night with Club Level), to HK$26,000/night for the Carlton Suite (which includes Club Level). The price may vary depending on availability and season.
Rating: 8/10
Perfect for: a sumptuous stay with excellently polished service in elevated luxury.
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