Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
"How did it strike you on arrival?Adjacent to Hong Kong’s International Finance Centre (IFC) and office towers, the Four Seasons is in an unbeatable location if you're here on business. Book a private Mercedes Benz or Bentley transfer, or arrive via MTR (though navigating the IFC can be confusing for first-timers). The light-filled lobby feels calm, with a glass facade straight ahead and music drifting from the Lounge restaurant. Nice. What’s the crowd like?Guests are likely to be turned out in Chanel, Gucci, Zegna, and even the handiwork of celebrated Hong Kong tailor WW Chan. Many are in town for conferences and meetings, though there are honeymooners here, too. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.Beginning with welcome fruit and a pot of tea, the rooms make an excellent first impression. There might even be a surprise if you’re celebrating an occasion. We stayed in a 484-square-feet Deluxe Harbour View Room, which had understated wood and beige showcases the skyline views. They're best admired from a comfortable window-side chaise or if work calls, your chrome-legged desk. If you're on the fence about upgrading to a Club room, do it. Executive rooms and suites come with perks—best of all, access to the fantastic top floor lounge—where private check-ins, all-day refreshments, complimentary cocktails, and wall-to-wall windows make it extremely difficult to leave. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?The weary are in for a treat: Four Seasons beds are temperature-regulated Simmons mattresses with down mattress toppers. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?Between the Nespresso machines, 46-inch LED TV, and authentic Chinese artwork—silkscreens and contemporary calligraphy—it’s hard to decide what we appreciated most. Workaholics will love the ergonomic desk chair and roomy work space. The comfortable setting and harbor views make catching up on emails much more pleasant. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.A large marble bathroom includes a vanity, deep-soak tub and separate rain shower. But the best part is the built-in LCD screen television, so you can multitask while you’re getting ready in the morning. The deluxe rooms provide L’Occitane shower amenities, while suites upgrade to Bulgari. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Guests can log on to free Wi-Fi as soon as they step in the door. Room service: Worth it?Despite its 399 rooms and suites, the Four Seasons manages to provide the personal touches a boutique property would. For example, when we celebrated a birthday-anniversary combo, the staff surprised us with crispy macarons and a bottle of bubbly in the room. Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why?From the attentive bellhops to the welcome fruit and tea, the Four Seasons treats everyone who walks through the door like a VIP. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.Several award-winning restaurants sit under this roof. A favorite for power lunches and unhurried afternoon tea, the Lounge restaurant near the lobby serves refined Italian alongside live music. On the fourth floor, three-Michelin-starred Lung King Heen draws as many locals as guests with its fine-dining Cantonese. Two floors up, Caprice turns out world-class French cuisine. If you’re not in the mood for a three-hour affair, the adjacent Caprice Bar provides a serene place to unwind with a glass of Burgundy and cheese. If you're meeting a group, try the Blue Bar on the ground floor where there’s an alfresco terrace, as well as a large wooden bar and pretty Murano glass mosaics. The martini here is a must. Wellness has become a significant part of the Four Seasons Hong Kong experience, with visiting meditation and yoga gurus at the spa, early morning tai chi on weekends, and therapeutic treatments. Before a facial or massage, a visit to the Vitality Lounge will put you in the zone; there's a crystal steam room, vitality pool, jet pool, heated stone seats, saunas, and ice fountains. You’ll want to clear an afternoon to enjoy the four harborfront pools: a heated outdoor infinity pool, lap pool, cold plunge pool, and steamy whirlpool. Margaritas and healthy smoothies from the Pool Terrace restaurant and bar aim to keep you quenched. What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?Looking at a map shows you practically sitting atop the Airport Express and MTR, but on our first visit, we found it difficult to navigate IFC mall—particularly when looking for the Airport Express station after check out. Ask for help in advance or book a car transfer. On the positive side (there is much on this side), we savored every moment in the Club lounge with a sundowner in hand, watching ships cruise by. Bottom line: worth it, and why?Take excellent service, splurge-worthy restaurants, and a convenient location near the MTR and ferry piers and you have one of Hong Kong’s top hotels." - Kate Springer
