The Renaissance Hong is a perfectly situated modern hotel in the heart of Hong Kong Island, offering visitors a base from which to explore the city.
The travelers started the new year with a visit to the bustling port city of Hong Kong. This financial center that combined eastern and western cuisine, culture, and peoples boasts an impressive 56 properties ranging from high-end luxury brands like the world’s tallest Ritz-Carlton to autograph collection gems like The Park Lane Hong Kong, and countless budget friendly properties. Given the travelers’ interest in exploring the city and taking advantage of the view, the Renaissance Hong Kong was the winner.
In this post:
Location, Arrival & Check-In
Located in the vibrant Wan Chai neighborhood of Hong Kong, this property is centrally located for business travelers attending events at the Convention Center or meetings in the Central district, or for travelers looking to visit Hong Kong hotspots like The Peak or the Mid-Level Escalators. Spread across 42 floors are 805 rooms and 52 suites with views of the garden and hotel pool and the famous Victoria Harbour.
Roughly 45-minutes from the airport, the travelers opted to take a hotel offered shuttle that personalized meet up service after customs and immigration and a private Mercedes Benz to the property. With an early morning arrival, the express way to the island was not yet available and Ubers were pricey, so this alternative was best.
The hotel originally opened in 1989 but has recent renovations and the update clearly shows from the moment the travelers entered the hotel. They were greeted by a team of bellhops that took their bags immediately to the rooms and then were escorted up a set of escalators to the lobby. Even though it was early morning, the check-in counter was busy, primarily with flight crews. Still, a private Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite line made the process quick and easy.
The travelers were given early check-in and before leaving for their rooms, were given an overview of the property and its elite member benefits including Club Lounge access. They made their way to the elevators to their harbour view rooms.
Hotel Room
To say the view from the rooms is stunning would be an understatement. The room including a good sized bathroom and queen sized bed in the middle of the room. The beautiful view and light brown wooden floors matched nicely with the room’s minimalist decor.
There was a nice arm chair next to the window, perfect for additional storage or to sip your morning tea while soaking in the view. A glass table that doubles at a desk rounds out the room. A set of USB and universal charging outlets on either side of the headboard and near the glass table provides sufficient charging spots.
Across from the bathroom was an adequately sized closet, which included two full-length mirrors and space for a carry-on and suitcase to fit comfortably. While small, the bathroom included all the amenities one would expect from a Renaissance property. Another full-length mirror can be found in the bathroom as well.
Club Lounge
The Club Lounge at the Renaissance Hong spans three floors but can be, at times, still not large enough to comfortably accommodate the properties’ elite guests. Business travelers and tourists alike start their day with breakfast including panoramic views of the harbour, a freshly squeezed assortment of juice, and a mix of Chinese and western breakfast options. Fresh, delicious smelling pastries, and fruit round out the breakfast offerings.
The next offering is a canapés and hors d’oeuvres happy hour in the evening. The stunning sunset views cannot be matched elsewhere in the hotel. Wine and a small selection of cocktails and served alongside a nice selection of evening snacks.
Unlike other properties the travelers have visited, this Club Lounge did not have a regular staff interaction. Besides a greeting when entering, a staff member serving the made to order hot selection, and others cleaning, guests are left alone – needing to refill their own drinks and grab their own made to order foods.
However, the busyness and limited service did not detract from the overall experience of the lounge. The food offerings were delicious, the juices were fresh, the cocktails were unlimited, and the view was stunning.
Amenities
The hotel includes a heated outdoor pool, gym, golf playground, tennis court, and fitness trail that is shared with the nearby Grand Hyatt property. During their short weekend trip, the travelers did not take advantage of these amenities but even in the winter weather, they seemed to be well used.
In addition, the property features three food and beverage outlets – an award winning Chinese restaurant (Dynasty), a cafe (Cafe Renaissance), and a lobby bar (The Lounge). The food selection at these outlets are well reviewed and have a wide selection of food. They can get pretty crowded, especially during meal times, but nonetheless, the staff seemed to be efficient and the presentations and embellishments were detailed.
Conclusion
The Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel is a great property for those seeking beautiful views and a central location during their visit. The property is connected to several MTR stations, is walking distance to the Star Ferry, and is near several key tourist spots. One cannot go wrong with staying at this property.
The major issue with the hotel are the four guest elevators. They do not seem to be synced to one another so during peak hours, guests can be left waiting upwards of 10 minutes to get on the elevator. When on, they will often stop at each floor on their way up or down even if no one gets on or off. This minor inconvenience appears to be one that the hotel is actively aware of and attempting to resolve.
A Room with a (re)view 