We spent two unforgettable nights in a Harbour View Suite on the 52nd ground on the Island Shangri-La, basking in Hong Kong’s greatest luxurious. Right here’s why the Island Shangri-La is the most popular property on this underrated stopover metropolis.
Due to the pandemic, Hong Kong is usually ignored as a stopover vacation spot. But it surely’s now making a triumphant return as China awakens from its four-year slumber, and the Island Shangri-La is the proper place to expertise this resurgence.
The resort is conveniently positioned throughout the newly accomplished Pacific Place buying centre, which suggests luxurious manufacturers like Celine, Loewe, and Gucci are simply an elevator journey away. It’s additionally conveniently near the Admiralty MTR station, making it a helpful base for enterprise travellers and households alike.
The higher ground rooms supply breathtaking views of the Peak and Hong Kong harbour. The rooms themselves are testomony to the resort’s dedication to luxurious, with a mixture of conventional and newly renovated areas, enhanced by the quiet class of the continuing renovations.
There are even flooring devoted to youngsters’s themes to make sure that youthful visitors are entertained all day whereas adults can bask in high-end facilities, whereas the workers on the Island Shangri-La are exemplary, attending to each want with heat and professionalism. Being addressed by our surname added a private contact that elevated our keep.
Whether or not arranging a pre-wedding shoe shine or fulfilling a enterprise request, their consideration to element was impeccable. The scents that waft by means of the resort evoke a way of residence and tranquillity, making even essentially the most anxious traveller (like myself) really feel comfy. Actually, I didn’t need to depart.
Artwork lovers will discover the resort’s intensive assortment a delight. Among the many many items is “The Nice Motherland of China,” a 167-foot-high silk portray, one of many largest work on this planet, which spans a number of flooring and provides to the resort’s creative attraction.
For individuals who choose a grand entrance, the resort gives a fleet of courtesy automobiles, together with a Rolls Royce Phantom and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, able to chauffeur visitors in fashion. I dared not ask for a switch to the airport, however in hindsight, I ought to have.
Most significantly, the Island Shangri-La is all about sustainability and minimising influence on the surroundings. In every single place you flip, there are little touches to assist enhance the resort’s use of plastic and electrical energy. Who knew luxurious may very well be so good for the surroundings?
Discovering the luxurious rooms on the Island Shangri-La
Relating to opulence, the Island Shangri-La by no means upset. Throughout my latest keep, I loved experiencing one in all their most interesting lodging: the newly renovated Harbour View Suite. This room is among the greatest within the resort, if not in all of Hong Kong.
Area and Facilities
The sheer measurement of the suite is astounding, particularly contemplating the compact nature of most Hong Kong residences. This suite felt extra like a grand residence than a resort room. Each conceivable luxurious was at our fingertips: a completely stocked mini-bar and kitchenette, a number of high quality teas and coffees, and two large 65-inch LCD televisions loaded with an array of stories and leisure channels.
The suite even has every part wanted to combine your cocktails. Beer, wine, and a mini bottle of classic Krug have been obtainable. There’s a water vessel included, excellent for gym-goers who would possibly neglect their very own. To not point out Asahi is for the beer-loving traveller like me.
Distinctive Views and By no means-Ending Consolation
One of many highlights of the Harbour View Suite is its gorgeous, sweeping views of the harbour and the town. Being a nook room, we have been handled to a panoramic vista unattainable to not stare at, out into the space of mainland China. Whether or not day or evening, the view by no means didn’t impress.
The suite additionally options two bogs and a lounge with a eating desk match for 4. We have been greeted with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot upon our arrival, a welcome contact that set the tone for our luxurious keep. The lounge boasts a 180-degree couch, excellent for having fun with the spectacular view or the equally spectacular tv.
Sensible Luxuries
Storage is rarely a problem right here, with a spacious walk-in wardrobe accommodating the apparel and equipment of two very well-dressed people. The suite additionally gives Bluetooth connectivity within the lavatory, permitting visitors to get pleasure from their favorite music whereas getting ready for a particular occasion or enterprise assembly.
Safety is at all times paramount, and the massive wall protected ensures that valuables, together with high-end gadgets like Rolex and Patek watches, are saved safe. The second lavatory gives an extra layer of consolation for individuals who worth privateness.
An Elevated Expertise
Located on the 51st ground, the suite supplies a mesmerising perspective of Hong Kong. The excessive vantage level means you by no means tire of gazing out on the bustling metropolis under, whether or not you’re stress-free within the suite or entertaining visitors.
This unbelievable suite prices round $12,000 HKD per evening, roughly $2,300 AUD. Contemplating the luxurious and the distinctive expertise, it represents nice worth for cash. Residing like royalty for a weekend or per week in Hong Kong is an expertise that’s nicely definitely worth the value.
A Spa {and gymnasium} worthy of a king… or queen.
Famend as the most effective resort gyms, second solely to Dubai’s Atlantis The Royal, Yun Wellness gives a mix of facilities and fashionable gear.
The altering rooms function marble flooring and digital lockers. Complimentary bathrobes and deodorant are supplied, making certain a easy transition from exercise to work. The services embody each an infrared sauna and a standard sauna, providing choices for post-exercise rest.
The health club has the most recent Technogym gear, making certain you by no means have to attend for a bench. The resort has even changed bottled water with refill stations that observe what number of bottles have been saved from landfills, selling environmental consciousness.
Then there’s the spa—wow. Simply wow. We skilled the Million-Greenback Males’s Facial by Dr. Burgener of Switzerland. Particularly designed for males’s pores and skin, this facial is cleaning, therapeutic, and oil-controlling.
White and gray clays are utilized to deeply cleanse, take up oils and sebum, and supply nourishing minerals. This deep cleaning permits the pores and skin to soak up hyaluronic-acid-rich serums, restoring hydration and soothing irritation absolutely.
It was one hour of pure bliss of their spa sanctuary. We have been greeted with complimentary ginger tea upon arrival and relaxed within the lounge space after our remedy. No joke — my pores and skin has by no means appeared higher.
At round $500 AUD for the hour, you’ll be hard-pressed to discover a higher strategy to spend your downtime on the resort. Go on. Deal with yo’self.
Lobster lords, bad-ass buffets and a breakfast of champions.
Underneath the watchful eye of Government Chef Uwe Opocensky, the Island Shangri-La has some fairly massive footwear to fill within the culinary stakes. What higher manner than to ‘eat the ass out of a low-flying duck’ than to attempt each restaurant over 36 hours.
To start out this culinary journey, I visited Petrus on the 56th ground for my one and solely breakfast on the resort. In true vogue, I selected one thing that wasn’t on the menu.
6 egg whites, spinach, tomatoes. This latest well being kick has made for boring consuming, however the workers couldn’t be happier to oblige.
As a enterprise traveller, it’s straightforward to get swept up in consuming crap, and particularly after the health club exercise and infrared sauna, I had grand ambitions of consuming nicely that morning. That was till I noticed the Portugese tarts and croissants…. Goodbye, calorie management for the day.
Later that day, while planning my buying journey on the Pacific Plaza, I opted to go off schedule and deal with myself to Cafe Too. This restaurant throughout the resort wouldn’t be my first alternative as I’m not a buffet man.
That mentioned… it was superior. All the pieces you possibly can presumably consider was obtainable, and the place was buzzing with households and pals all coming collectively for a five-star buffet expertise. Seafood, conventional Cantonese dishes and the desserts, sure, the desserts have been hearth. It price me round $600 HKD for the buffet, and while I didn’t overindulge, it could be superior to come back once more and actually get my eat on.
The food-a-thon didn’t cease there: Chef Carey handled me to at least one hell of a final supper at Lobster Bar & Grill. The LBG is an upmarket steak and seafood restaurant that’s excellent for surf and turf lovers like myself.
Chef Carey welcomed us with a sequence of distinctive dishes like a full artichoke, one thing I’d by no means skilled earlier than, lobster bisque and at last, a full lobster and a wonderfully cooked sirloin steak with a facet of asparagus and mash potato. Pure bliss.
The meal was completed with chocolate lobster claws and washed with extra Veuve Cliquot.
The Wrap Up
Make no mistake, the Island Shangri-La will not be for the faint-hearted. It’s an opulent resort excellent in your subsequent Hong Kong stopover. It’s greatest loved along with your associate or household as a result of there’s so many cool little issues I saved discovering even after 36 hours on the property.
My greatest remorse was having to go away at 2 a.m. to catch a flight to Europe and never attending to get pleasure from my last breakfast of egg whites and Portuguese tarts; a contemporary tragedy.
Relaxation assured, there are a variety of great rooms obtainable to go well with most budgets. In our case, we scored the suite, and I shall be again to pattern it once more.
Head over to their web site to take a look at extra of the resort and what it has to supply.
