Evaluation: St. Regis Hong Kong

I stayed at the St. Regis Hong Kong back in June 2021, marking my return to the city after a long hiatus due to the pandemic.

The St. Regis Hong Kong is a newer property in Wan Chai that opened its doors in April 2019, and became Marriott’s 7,000th property worldwide.

The hotel would be the first of three top-tier Marriott luxury hotels I had the pleasure of staying in while visiting Hong Kong, with visits to the Ritz-Carlton and W in Kowloon to follow.

St. Regis Hong Kong – Booking

Cash prices at the St. Regis Hong Kong are pretty steep, fluctuating between 3,500–4,500 HKD ($600–770 CAD) per night.

A points redemption won’t come cheap either, and will run you between 77,500–91,000 Bonvoy points, or even up to 106,000 points depending on the season.

At the time of my visit, I paid a relatively low cash rate of just 2,244 HKD ($383 CAD) after taxes for my one-night stay, as the city wasn’t yet open to foreign tourists from abroad. The cash rate was indeed a steal, and a much better deal than paying with Bonvoy points, and I opted to save my points for a future stay instead.

If you don’t have Bonvoy points at your disposal, the St. Regis Hong Kong participates in Marriott STARS, a preferred partner program. By booking your stay through an authorized travel advisor, you’ll pay the same as the best-available flexible rate, yet you’ll enjoy an additional suite of perks, including complimentary breakfast for two, a $100 (USD) property credit, and more.

St. Regis Hong Kong – Location

The St. Regis Hong Kong is located conveniently in the heart of the bustling Wan Chai district, a business district on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island.

In the immediate vicinity of the hotel is a mix of government office buildings nestled between numerous restaurants, cafés, and bars. The area is quite popular among expats on account of the vibrant nightlife, as well as the historical and cultural significance.

St. Regis Hong Kong also boasts proximity to popular downtown attractions. It’s a short two-minute walk to Central Plaza and a 10-minute stroll to Hennessy Road, a major thoroughfare in the district.

Additionally, the hotel is just two blocks away from the evolving Harbourfront of Wan Chai and the Hong Kong Convention Centre.

The hotel entrance is connected to a footbridge directly connecting you to Wan Chai MTR station, meaning you’re never too far from the action of Hong Kong, as almost everything in the city is easily accessible by MTR and trams.

Central and Admiralty MTR stations are only a few stops away, and the newly opened Exhibition Centre MTR station on the East Rail Line is also easily within reach.

For those looking to hop on the tram, it’s a quick hop and skip to the many bus stations dotted around the city.

Lastly, it’s about a 10-minute walk north to the Wan Chai Ferry Pier to catch the Star Ferry.

From Hong Kong International Airport, you can take an MTR journey on the Airport Express to Hong Kong Station, followed by the MTR Island Line from Central Station, which takes just under an hour. On the other hand, you could take a taxi which will bring you to the hotel in approximately 30 minutes.

St. Regis Hong Kong – Check-in

The pedestrian and vehicle entrance of the hotel is sheltered under a stone-clad porte-cochère. It’s a sleek and understated arrival, with a cascading waterfall adjacent to the entrance.

Stepping inside, there’s a ground-floor lobby with a delicate seating area, and then a set of stone elevators whisks you up to the main lobby on the second floor.

The second floor of the building boasts a grand staircase that serves as a striking focal point. Large sculptural art pieces and water features grace the area, creating a sense of drama and movement, leading to The Great Room.

As you enter the Great Room, soaring ceilings create a sense of grandeur and drama, and ample windows flood the space with natural light.

The design seamlessly transitions into a luxury mansion-like feel, making you feel right at home in the city’s heart. The interior reflects that of the original St. Regis New York, but also includes design elements referencing the history of Wan Chai.

The giant bronze partitions in The Great Room pay homage to the window frames of colonial Hong Kong, and the lanterns and sconces are reminiscent of the 19th-century gas lamps of old Hong Kong.

I loved the refined, polished stone in the lobby and the overall modern aesthetic. The clean lines and minimal décor perfectly balanced the thoughtful incorporation of design elements that pay tribute to the past.

The Great Room is a versatile space for relaxing or meeting the concierge and your personal butler for check-in. It also acts as an extension to The Drawing Room and St. Regis Bar.

After meeting with the concierge here, formalities are then completed with your St. Regis Butler inside your room. Throughout the stay, you can easily text the butler service with your phone to request anything you might need.

For this stay, I got upgraded to a King Room with Partial Harbor View. You’ll either get a room with views of Wan Chai, Victoria Peak mountain, or slices of the harbour.

During my stay, despite Hong Kong being closed to foreign travellers, many locals were opting for staycations, which resulted in a high demand for hotel rooms.

Therefore, no suite upgrade was forthcoming despite my best efforts, including applying for a Suite Night Award, which was also denied.

At a brand-new St. Regis property, I was a little disappointed not to have received a suite upgrade as a Titanium Elite member. However, this is to be expected as the hotel only has a limited number of suites available, and it’s worth keeping your expectations in check when staying here.

After being assigned Room 1508, I was then escorted to the 15th floor of the hotel.

St. Regis Hong Kong – King Room with Partial Harbor View

Upon entering the King Room with Partial Harbor View, there’s a foyer area with the main bathroom to the left before moving into the bedroom.

I was immediately impressed by the sheer size of the room. At just over 500 sq feet, it felt like a pretty generous size for a base-level room.

The room was beautifully appointed with a soothing grey color palette, brass accents, and upscale wooden furnishings that gave the space a chic, loft-like feel that is reminiscent of a Manhattan apartment.

The design elements in the room were tasteful, with subtle regional design elements that added a touch of local flavour to the overall aesthetic.

A comfortable king-sized bed is front and centre, fitted with luxurious Frette linens. Flanked by opulent light fixtures over marble night tables and footing, the bed is footed with an upholstered bench.

The room is equipped with high-tech features conveniently located bedside. You’ll find electronic controls for lighting, including adjusting the window shades and curtains, as well as USB ports to charge your devices.

Tucked into the far left-hand corner is a cozy reading corner, complete with an armchair, ottoman, and marble side table.

The right-hand corner of the room features an eating nook with a round dining table, a curved bench, and an armchair for seating, providing an ideal spot for a meal or getting some work done.

Adjacent is the flat-screen TV, which is set atop a dark wooden armoire, and then the pantry is to its right.

As a testament to the elevated touches you’ll find at a St. Regis, the pantry is equipped with an in-room bar and a Nespresso Creatista Plus stainless steel coffee maker.

As a Titanium Elite member, I was delighted to receive a decadent welcome amenity in the form of a chocolate cake which was beautifully embellished with the St. Regis logo emblazoned in a wax seal.

A highlight of the rooms at the St. Regis Hong Kong is the floor-to-ceiling windows that offer breathtaking panoramic views of the city. In my case, I enjoyed the views of Victoria Harbour and Kawloon on the opposite side, although the views were somewhat limited.

A secondary highlight was the opulent marble bathroom, accessible from the foyer and directly to the bedroom. The space features a luxurious dual vanity with elegant brass fixtures, and an oversized bathtub with a TV built seamlessly into the mirror.

The toilet and shower are housed within their own separate chambers for added privacy.

Additionally, the bathroom features a distinctive elevated alcove that showcases the bathroom amenities under a spotlight.

Overall, I thought the King Room with Partial Harbor View was a spacious, refined and sophisticated space, especially for a base-level accommodation.

I appreciated the luxurious touches synonymous with the St. Regis brand, including the convenience of coffee via butler service, which I certainly made use of during my stay.

The in-room aesthetic was lovely, blending Western and Asian elements together seamlessly. I was particularly impressed by the cozy nook in the corner and the layout connecting the bathroom from both the hallway and the bedroom.

Additionally, the room was thoughtfully designed with easy access to USB ports and lighting, adding an extra touch of practicality to the beautiful design.

St. Regis Hong Kong – Breakfast

Breakfast is served at the hotel’s one-Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant Rùn on the second-floor lobby of the hotel from 6:30–10:30am.

The space uses striking geometric architecture inspired by traditional Chinese design, creating a modern tea pavilion.

For breakfast, the St. Regis Hong Kong offers a mix of an à la carte menu and a beautifully laid-out breakfast buffet.

The buffet has a good mix of cold and hot items, as well as Asian and Western-inspired cuisine. Items varied from meats and cheese, fruits, a salad bar, and pastries to fried rice, vegetables, and dumplings.

Compared to other breakfast buffets around Asia, the size and variety were somewhat smaller. However, the à la carte menu certainly makes up for it.

In my case, I went for the Japanese set breakfast from the à la carte menu, starting my day off with a delicious salmon steak, rice, and miso soup.

St. Regis Hong Kong – Dining

After breakfast, Rùn offers a one-Michelin-starred menu emphasizing the rich tradition and culture of Cantonese cuisine designed by Chef Hung Chi-Kwong.

L’Envol is another sophisticated dining option within the St. Regis Hong Kong. The space is designed to be bright and airy, with a blend of stone wood accents and soft cream hues.

The two-Michelin-starred restaurant features innovative French cuisine crafted by Chef Olivier Elzer, including six and eight-course options, which start from $1,600 (USD).

The Drawing Room is located adjacent to the second-floor lobby and seamlessly flows into the hotel’s terrace. Here you’ll find the hotel’s signature afternoon tea and an all-day à la carte menu of international fare.

Additionally, St. Regis performs their Champagne sabrage ceremony here at 5:30pm every day to celebrate the transition from day to evening.

You can also find the St. Regis Bar, where you can sample signature cocktails inspired by the very first St. Regis hotel in New York.

Among rich, warm tones, brass details, and olive leather upholstery, the bar features a stunning hand-painted mural by Beijing-born artist Zhang Gong.

St. Regis Hong Kong – Other Facilities

The hotel’s seventh floor is dedicated to health and wellness. In this area, there’s a spa and a 24-hour fitness centre.

The fitness centre had a good amount of cardio and weight-training equipment and offered plenty of light with commanding 360 ̊ views of the Hong Kong skyline.

On the same level, there’s an outdoor pool area with temperature-controlled water and a poolside bar that operates all year round.

Unfortunately, it was raining heavily during my stay, so I didn’t get a chance to check it out on this occasion.

Conclusion

The St. Regis Hong Kong is an exceptional property that offers an outstanding luxury hotel option in the city of Hong Kong.

The stunning interiors of the public spaces are a work of art, and the same level of design is also reflected in the rooms. Additionally, the base-level room is spacious and well-appointed, with on-hand butler service only adding to the sense of luxury.

The hotel’s prime location is another highlight that makes it an ideal base for exploring the city. The St. Regis Hong Kong is within walking distance of many of Hong Kong’s most famous sights and sounds, but it’s also just a quick MTR journey away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre in Hong Kong Island or across the undersea tunnels to Kowloon.

Overall, the St. Regis Hong Kong is a fantastic addition to the St. Regis portfolio, and I would happily return on a future visit to the city.