Starwood properties in Hong Kong: reviews

[Keith009]

walk in closet and dressing area

living room toilet

The welcome sweets platter for PLTs had changed:

jello, cake, green apple, gummy bears - I miss the choccies

Other noticeable changes include more signage around Elements Mall directing guests who come from the Airport Express to the hotel, the completion of the huge butterfly mural at WET (see kluau88's review - didn't make it to WET this time), changes to the drinks list at the Living Room, and reduction in drinks prices. They'd also launched the rather popular Sunday brunch, a HKD590 All You Can Eat affair which includes free flow Perrier Jouet - unfortunately my flight left around lunchtime on Sunday which didn't make it worthwhile to check out brunch. I was advised that booking in advance was recommended for Sunday brunch as it's often packed to the rafters.

What remained constant was the consistently excellent standard of service throughout my stay. For starters, everyone remembered me and even my name - from the moment I stepped through the entrance till the v end (but rather embarassingly I'd forgotten who some of them were). It was lovely to see familiar faces again, such as the W Insider Alison who excitedly welcomed me back and did many little things to make my stay just that little bit more special - such as organising seats with fab views for my dinner at Pearl on the Peak, as well as the ever enthusiastic Minnie who manages the Living Room bar; Minnie and her staff went above and beyond to bring back a favourite coughtail of mine which had been dropped from the list (not the easiest operation for it involved finding an egg) - bless them all. And I must have drunk more than my fair share of mojitos on my last visit for the first thing the bar staff said when I sat down at the Living Room was whether I wanted more mojitos.

The hotel was rather busier than my last stay which is great, especially at a time when the economy isn't too flash. After the tragic demise of the W Sydney, I didn't need another W, especially one which sets such an unbelievably high standard for itself and in a favourite city of mine, to disappear.

My one and only MAJOR complaint about the W Hong Kong? Having to actually leave!!

 

[Keith009]

Typing this from the Living Room, enjoying a Fleur De Lys at the same time. Ahhh it's great to be home.

The other half is beside himself, taking pics of everything and anything - I'm so happy that he gets what the fuss is about now!

Anyhoo we got the Fantastic Suite this time. Given an upgrade to a Marvelous Suite initially, but it was the bland Glamourous scheme and as I wanted the funky, in your face G+A design I asked whether it's possible to downgrade and 'swap' with someone else who has a G+A Fantastic Suite.

Got a nice big Welcome sweets platter this time. Came in a saucepan laced with sunflower seeds, and lots more yummie goodies.

For wino fans, the W now has Wine-derlust Wednesdays. All you can drink wine for $180, 9-11pm Wednesdays.

 

[Hawkeye]

Can you feel the envy through the computer!! Enjoy...

The other half is beside himself, taking pics of everything and anything - I'm so happy that he gets what the fuss is about now!

You've done it now - twice the people means twice the expense!! Seriously though, It is always just that much better to travel with a loved-one. I hate trying to share my fun with my wife when I get back from a solo jaunt - just seems like it is rubbing it in.

For wino fans, the W now has Wine-derlust Wednesdays. All you can drink wine for $180, 9-11pm Wednesdays.

That's a good deal - they had a nice mix of wines available when I had a peek in December.

 

[samh004]

However this time I'd really needed the stay credits to requalify for SPG PLT. And staying at the Sheraton meant that I could always pop back to the hotel for a shower prior to another all-nighter at LKF, unlike the LM which was all the way in Cyberport. So the Sheraton it was, as well as my first nights spent off HK Island.

The LM at Cyberport is just down the road from my parents place in HK. Never stayed there, but seen the rooms and the Japanese restaurant there is really good.

Public transport to/from isn't that bad either. Granted it's not as close as Central/Kowloon on the MTR, but a taxi ride home from LKF has never set me back.

Love your TR of the W. I've suggested my mum try the breakfast there. If you're into good brunches you should try the Sunday brunch at Top Deck on the Jumbo Floating Restaurant in Aberdeen. I'm not sure if it's on year-round, but it's really nice.

For wino fans, the W now has Wine-derlust Wednesdays. All you can drink wine for $180, 9-11pm Wednesdays.

On Facebook it says $150/person. I've forwarded the offer to my dad anyway, no doubt it'll appeal to his work mates.

 

[Keith009]

On Facebook it says $150/person. I've forwarded the offer to my dad anyway, no doubt it'll appeal to his work mates.

Sorry, I've just checked and it's $150 indeed. Blame the coughtails.

 

[Flashback]

Sorry, I've just checked and it's $150 indeed. Blame the coughtails.

I assume that is in HKD? :shock:

 

[Keith009]

I assume that is in HKD? :shock:

Yes it is.

 

[Flashback]

Yes it is.

Phew! Was going to say... if it wasn't, how could that be considered cheap? :mrgreen:

 

[samh004]

Phew! Was going to say... if it wasn't, how could that be considered cheap? :mrgreen:

Well... depends if we're talking old world or new world wines.

 

[Flashback]

Well... depends if we're talking old world or new world wines.

Or maybe we're talking about mad world :evil: :mrgreen:

 

[JohnK]

Phew! Was going to say... if it wasn't, how could that be considered cheap? :mrgreen:

As posted earlier in the thread QF009 thinks A$120 per person for brunch is a great deal. :shock:

 

[Keith009]

Well... depends if we're talking old world or new world wines.

I'd be extremely disappointed if they'd only served dowdy, oh-so-common and overpriced old world stuff.


Just when I thought they couldn't get better, I got a nice surprise in my room when we got there shortly after Happy Hour, we got a coughtail mixer and ingredients for an apple martini. I remember the Insider asking me prior to arrival what food/drink the boyf likes - i responded that he likes making coughtails.

Off to Kee Club tonight, private members only place but we got onto the door list thanks to Whatever/Whenever.

 

[samh004]

I'd be extremely disappointed if they'd only served dowdy, oh-so-common and overpriced old world stuff.

I know a Dutch guy I'd like to see tasting the same wines as you, haha.

Just when I thought they couldn't get better, I got a nice surprise in my room when we got there shortly after Happy Hour, we got a coughtail mixer and ingredients for an apple martini. I remember the Insider asking me prior to arrival what food/drink the boyf likes - i responded that he likes making coughtails.

Wow, they're really going out of their way to please you guys. I remember when my family used to visit a Sheraton in Bangkok that we visited so often we always got great service. And this was even before we had SPG membership.

Unfortunately my parents live in HK so good rooms don't really interest them. The few times we book rooms are for fireworks shows on National Day or Chinese New Year, however from the photos you've posted I don't think you have a view of the main harbour right?

It's a shame (for earning points, not for service) but the Peninsula will still get us I think. Or the Ritz when/if ICC is ever finished.

Off to Kee Club tonight, private members only place but we got onto the door list thanks to Whatever/Whenever.

How I wish I could go clubbing in HK. I've got too much on my plate right now to go back though. Grr!

 

[Keith009]

Unfortunately my parents live in HK so good rooms don't really interest them. The few times we book rooms are for fireworks shows on National Day or Chinese New Year, however from the photos you've posted I don't think you have a view of the main harbour right?

The W is not the place to stay for views of the HK Island skyline. The views are obscured by the ICC next door, which is a shame. Most rooms face the western side of Victoria Harbour, ie the more 'industrial' side with cargo ships, docks etc. Sheraton, Pen etc are much better for Island skyline views.

 

[Keith009]

Well, we got a scented candle to take home on our last night there, along with a very sweet note from the Insider. We've checked out and at the airport now waiting to depart for SIN/MEL, and we're missing the W soooo much already. Now combing for reason/s to do another HK trip in the next couple of months. :mrgreen:

 

[Keith009]

Cool little gifts from the Insider on my last stay:
Night #1 -

welcome yummies - twice the size of the regular welcome platter. The W sign could be eaten too; we found out when the other half's itchy fingers tried to peel it off.

Night #2 -

Ingredients for apple martini - the other half LOVES coughtails and it came up casually when we were chatting with the Insider. Got back to the room to find this.

Cheers

Night #3 -

now i can enjoy the Living Room scent in my own lounge room too!

And some new drinks on the Living Room menu:

Mango + Ginger Mojito which is on this month's special list; can't remember what the other one was

 

[Keith009]

an old favourite of mine, Fleur De Lys. Now comes in the standard champers glass rather than the cool looking one previously used

our new favourite, on this month's special list: Love Actually

Rose Mojito - meant to be virgin but you can ask for an alcoholic version

We got the "G+A" Fantastic Suite this time, which is the same one I got on my first stay. Defo my fave design scheme and much funkier than the "Glamourous" Marvelous Suite I got last time, even if that's a bigger suite.

 

[Alanslegal]

WoW Hong Kong

WoW Hong Kong!

Ok, I couldn't resist but had to report back and confirm that this hotel is really really the WoW Hong Kong. I'll report back more in detail in my current TR however short and simple; great staff, funky Living room, enjoyable Friday/Saturday nights and my room was a smokin' Fantastic Suite'. Wow! 50inch plasma in the lounge with 5.1 surround sound. 42inch in the bedroom! Wow! and the Pool Deck?! Wow! More later though!

 

[Flashback]

Sounds like you're enjoying the property.. look forward to reading more in the TR!

 

[Keith009]

I'm glad you're having a swell time!

So jealous though.... SO wish that I'm living it up at the W HK rather than stuck at home writing my thesis!

Ah well, come July - will take a wee break with lots of Worldwide WoWs.