Hotel Stage

"How did it strike you on arrival?Located on a quiet street in Kowloon, Hotel Stage opens into a pretty stone lobby with an artsy tree-inspired mural on the wall and exposed-bulb light fixtures dangling overhead. Nice. What’s the crowd like?Straddling the culture-rich Jordan and Yau Ma Tei districts, Hotel Stage offers a convenient location for business travelers who appreciate functionality and great design. We noticed quite a few professionals in the lobby, as well as a small contingent of families and trendy-looking European couples dressed in Converse and COS tops. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.The light-filled, airy rooms combine soothing shades of gray with big windows (some of which overlook the Zaha Hadid-designed Innovation Tower at Polytechnic University). Each room comes with a plate of welcome fruit, a yoga ball and cool pieces commissioned from local artists. If you'd like a dedicated living space and dining table, you’ll need to book a suite. For not a huge price jump, you'll get a bathtub, extra lounge space and in-room Nespresso machine. As a bonus, the top-floor suites come with complimentary Club access (a library-like lounge with complimentary drinks and snacks and interesting reading material). We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?Whether you book an entry-level room or a suite, all accommodations come with king-size beds, pretty gray throw blankets, and comfortable Simmons mattresses. You’ll also have a choice of down or foam pillows. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?The in-room yoga ball not only aids quick morning stretches and Pilates workouts, but also doubles as a desk chair. Of course, we also appreciate the complimentary minibar in the suite. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.While only the suite bathrooms have enough room for a bathtub, standard bathrooms have showers with a multi-position massage shower head. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Hotel Stage prides itself on its free high-speed Wi-Fi, as well as remote-controlled lighting, convenient outlets next to the bed and a complimentary Handy phone (loaded with local data) for city exploring. Room service: Worth it?As a boutique operation, Hotel Stage doesn’t provide room service. For a full meal, you can head downstairs to Kitchen Savvy for pizzas—or explore the dynamic neighborhood. Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why?We were caught in a torrential typhoon during our stay and the doorman not only provided much-needed umbrellas but also offered a favor drive to the metro to ensure we didn’t get wet. The man was a much-needed ray of sunshine on an otherwise miserable rainy day. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.This boutique hotel is smack in the middle of one of Hong Kong’s most traditional neighborhoods. The Yau Ma Tei area overflows with local restaurants, shops, temples and markets—it’s an ideal base for culture enthusiasts who want to dive into old Hong Kong. What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?We loved the location, design and service at Hotel Stage but we were disappointed with the atmosphere at Kitchen Savvy and Muse bar. Both locations serve decent food and drinks (with Muse specializing in wine and local art exhibitions), but were nearly empty at peak hours. We had both the bar and the restaurant almost to ourselves when we would have preferred a buzzy atmosphere. Bottom line: worth it, and why?Set in a heritage district with excellent connectivity, Hotel Stage is a great value option with sleek decor, local art, and comfortable rooms." - Kate Springer