Rosewood Hong Kong

Opened in 2019 and located in a gleaming new Kowloon tower that offers views of Hong Kong island and the harbor, the gorgeous Rosewood is a destination hotel in its own right with a spa/wellness center; eight restaurants and bars, as well as some of the largest hotel rooms in the city.

• The stunning views from the guestrooms, especially the corner suites
• Having a Chinese meal at the beautiful Legacy House, which specializes in Shunde cooking, a delicate type of Chinese cuisine from Guandong province (they also serves incredible dim sum)
• The infinity pool on the seventh floor that hovers over the harbor
• The fantastic little City Guides in the rooms, with great insider shopping and dining picks
• The oversized bathrooms (even in the entry-level rooms), all with separate tub and double showers
• The contemporary art collection throughout with really great pieces that add a sense of place and a lot of style
• Access to the peaceful Manor Club on the 40th floor, with food served throughout the day and quiet corners for working

Opened in 2019, the Rosewood has seriously upped the game of Hong Kong’s hotel scene, already one of the most competitive in the world. It is a destination hotel in its own right, with a jackpot combination of a great location and jaw-dropping views, some of the city’s largest rooms (including entry-level category), and beautiful amenities, including a large variety of restaurants and bars as well as a spa/wellness center spread across two floors.

Occupying a newly built tower set right on the harbor (the city’s famous Star Ferry is a five-minute walk along the waterfront promenade), the Rosewood has 413 rooms and suites that are located on floors 29 through 39. They are categories by the type of view they have (the classic Hong Kong skyline comes with the “Grand Harbor” rooms), but all are spacious and well-designed.

The design was masterminded by Tony Chi, whose bold combination of textures, patterns and materials is vividly – and successfully- on display here. It’s all very elegant without taking itself too seriously, which creates warm and welcoming spaces. Guest rooms are spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows, extremely comfortable King beds, eclectic objets d'art and the latest in technology and amenities (Dyson hairdryers, mirror-embedded television screens, Bose sound systems). Materials are gorgeous — cashmere wallpaper, lacquer and leather accents—and some of the nice touches include a leather-bound city guide with insider dining and shopping tips; an assortment of teas and (in the suites) pre-mixed cocktails; and soft-woven yukatas in lieu of bathrobes.

If you can peel yourself from those views, the rest of the hotel begs exploring, with with eight restaurants and bars (including a women-only speakeasy with a hidden doorway) and two-story wellness space Asaya, complete with a large gym and yoga studio, spa restaurant, infinity pool and variety of treatments. Fashionistas will be happy to discover that the Rosewood connects to K11 Art Mall, a multi-level shopping extravaganza.

On paper, the Rosewood sounds like a lot of superlatives and numbers, with oversized wellness, dining and shopping offerings. But in reality, the property is so well designed, with such a thoughtful attention to detail, that it not only feels intimate and cozy but also authentic and destination-specific. What a pleasure to settle in after a long day of exploring Hong Kong bustle with a glass of Champagne, watching the Symphony of Lights across the harbor, and then dining at the Legacy House. With cozy banquette seating as well as private rooms, this Chinese restaurant strikes the perfect balance between time-honored (the traditional, delicious Shunde menu) and forward-looking (the sleek design) — much like the rest of this special hotel does as well.

Travelers who want to experience a deeply stylish, brand-new Hong Kong hotel that has lots of amenities and dining options, as well as some of the city’s best views. Serious spa goers and wellness seekers will be very happy here.

Indagare Tip: It’s worth splurging on access to the Manor Club, located on the 40th floor (it is included in the nightly rates for suites). It’s a beautifully designed space that feels quiet (conducive for getting work done), and a bevy of food and drink is served throughout the day, including a bountiful breakfast. There’s a great small bar with spot-on sunset views, as well as a wrap-around balcony.

Airport Pick-Up: The Rosewood is located in Kowloon, a 30-minute drive from the airport. It is currently the only hotel in the city that can pick up travelers at the sky bridge of arriving airplanes. It’s a wonderful touch to have someone take you right through customs, then whisking you to the property in the hotels’ Jaguar.