Today we’ re going to Hong-Kong with the Intercontinental that I had the opportunity to test during a recent stay. Note: there are two Intercontinental hotels in Hong Kong, this one is the one directly overlooking Victoria Harbour in Kowloon.
Even if it’s not particularly related to this particular hotel, I would like to start with a point that counts a lot in the travel experience in Hong Kong: the arrival in the city. For less than 10 euros a train takes you in 20 minutes from the airport to the city center from where free buses take you to the main hotels in the city. On the way back, it is also possible to check in your luggage at the central station and reach the airport hands free. Very practical when you have a late flight: you can check out at the hotel, check your luggage and then enjoy the afternoon in the city without being burdened before leaving for the airport.
Breathtaking view of Victoria Harbour
Now let’s get to the hotel itself.
It is very well located, on Victoria Harbor, near a subway station and a few minutes walk from the famous “Star Ferry”.
As soon as you enter, you can feel that you are at Intercontinental. Everything exudes organization and a certain standing. Behind the check-in desk located in the lobby you can see the large glass window that overlooks Victoria Harbour and gives the Intercontinental such a breathtaking view.
Here is the view of the bar where I recommend you to taste one of their delicious cocktails.
And to admire the gigantism of the thing:
The check in is fast and efficient. I appreciate the lack of paperwork: everything is digitized and you sign with a stylus on a screen. The IHG loyalty program is more than respected. Normally I was supposed to get the gold status at the end of my stay so the hotel made me enjoy the advantages linked to the status as soon as I arrived (free Wifi for example).
The person in charge of my check-in accompanies me to my room and offers to bring me some tea. I accept this with pleasure after more than ten hours of flight.
I took a standard room but with “harbour view”. Indispensable given the location of the hotel, any other choice would be a waste.
The room and the bathroom are rather spacious for “basic” rooms – especially when you know the space problems in Hong-Kong.
The day of my arrival the view was a bit foggy but it turned out to be exceptional when it cleared up and, especially, at night.
On many sites you will read that the pool of the Intercontinental Hong Kong is among those with the most beautiful view in the world. Actually that’s not exactly true (but it’s even better).
Infinity pool and jacuzzi
There is indeed an infinity pool of imposing size, although it cannot be said that it enjoys such an impressive view.
On the other hand, what is shown on the sites is not the swimming pool but…an infinity Jacuzzi that offers a breathtaking view of Victoria Harbour. Not made for swimming but a great experience.
In terms of services, the hotel has of course a Spa and a fitness club that I did not try.
On the catering side, the most difficult will be satisfied. The hotel has five restaurants, three of which are Michelin starred. A Chinese restaurant, a French restaurant (Ducasse) and a steak house. In the not starred I also point out the famous Nobu of which I keep an excellent memory (see the photo gallery below). I’ve tried 3 of the 5, delighted each time.
An inspired and quality gastronomy
Attention for those who would like to try the “Spoon” by Alain Ducasse: it is not open every day.
When you stay at the Intercontinental, you can’t miss the world’s largest sound and light show, which is played every night on Victoria Harbour with the buildings on both sides of the harbour lighting up and responding to each other. If you don’t go on a boat in the middle of the water to enjoy both sides, the hotel is directly on the “avenue of stars”, a pedestrian stroll along the waterfront, from where you can admire the show. Excellent view from inside as well but without the sound.
Impeccable service throughout the stay. The last day when I came back to pick up my bags that I had left for the day at the hotel after my check-out, I was even offered to go to the Spa to take a shower and change before my flight. Which I of course took advantage of.
Nothing to complain about, a high level experience without any flaw.
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