W Hong Kong bookable

[Keith009]

A while ago their GM assured me that if reservations via spg.com weren't active by mid May I'd hear from one of his team members. Got this cool email from their Director of Revenue Management today. Bookings via SPG.com should be enabled anytime between now and May, in the meantime you'd have to email them (email at whotels.com/hongkong). I've responded to make reservations for 3 nights each in Oct and Dec.

Well hello there Keith,

Greetings from the Wonderful World of W!

It is a pleasure to hear of your excitement about the opening of the W Hong Kong and I am thrilled to be able to assist you! Further to the email sent by our General Manager, Mr. Damon Page, I am happy to let you know that our reservation systems will be active later this month.

I would be happy to confirm a rate for the dates of your stay in October and December so am hoping to get some additional information from you. If you could please send me the exact dates and length of stay I would be better able to assist you. I would also very much like to learn a little bit more about you so we can make the most of your W experience: where will you be traveling from, how many guests will be in each room and what are their names, is this a business or leisure trip? Have you been to Hong Kong before? If so, is there anything you experienced in Hong Kong that you particularly enjoyed?

I would be more than happy to contact you via phone to complete your reservation if this is preferable for you. Please let me know when is the best time to reach you or feel free to call me at your convenience at the number below. I look forward to Welcoming you to the W Hong Kong!!

Until then, have a Wonderful day!
Sorel

Sweet.

 

[Hawkeye]

Great news!

Very tempting indeed. I currently have a harbour view room booked at the Sheraton Hong Kong and Towers in December, so decisions, decisions ...! Shall I forgo the great view, including the evening light-show on the island, to swap to the feel-good bling of the W? The Sheraton decor and service is very ho-hum and staid, but efficient.

I suspect some photos & the usual high quality TR of the October stay may help persuade me!

PS: What dates r u in HK in December? (although I suspect the hours between 6 and 10pm are the only ones where both of us would be awake at the same time)

PSS: I need to pull my finger out and start doing my own TR's instead of feeding off everybody else.

 

[Keith009]

Very tempting indeed. I currently have a harbour view room booked at the Sheraton Hong Kong and Towers in December, so decisions, decisions ...! Shall I forgo the great view, including the evening light-show on the island, to swap to the feel-good bling of the W? The Sheraton decor and service is very ho-hum and staid, but efficient.

I suspect some photos & the usual high quality TR of the October stay may help persuade me!

Objectively, one could argue that they might not get an objective view of any W hotel from moi. I've been rather critical of the new design philosophies of the W LA and the W SF though me thinks.

I'd admit that the Kowloon location puts me off a little as I much prefer staying in Central and within stumbling distance of Lan Kwai Fong. But I have to try the W at least once and who knows - their Living Room and Whiskey bars (or Whatever it'd be called in HK) might even rival LKF and spark a flow on effect to the surrounding areas in the long term future. I understand that the area is meant to be a brand new shopping and entertainment precinct. It'd at least be perched on top of a new high end shopping mall.

As this won't be your last time to HK, Why not give the W a go and decide for yourself?

I am liking W HK for its customer service already - both Damon and Sorel have been V good at sending constant updates on their progress, and couldn't be nicer in doing so. One would hope their stylish ways filters down to the frontline staff.

PS: What dates r u in HK in December? (although I suspect the hours between 6 and 10pm are the only ones where both of us would be awake at the same time)

:mrgreen:

Dec 6-9.

P.S. - will be staying at Sheraton for the first time in July... thoughts? I've never stayed in Kowloon before. I'd not bother and gone for the MO or Conrad if I didn't need the nights for requalification.... (lots of award stays in the coming months)

 

[Hawkeye]

I understand that the area is meant to be a brand new shopping and entertainment precinct. It'd at least be perched on top of a new high end shopping mall.

As this won't be your last time to HK, Why not give the W a go and decide for yourself?

The new area does sound very enticing. And close to the already outstanding shopping around the Harbour and the Temple St night markets.

I am almost certain I will take the plunge.

Dec 6-9.

We will be there Dec 12-16th Flying back from SFO on CX in what, I hope, will be a 74A with the new outfit.

P.S. - will be staying at Sheraton for the first time in July... thoughts?

What sort of room have you booked - hotel or towers? City or harbour view? As a platinum last year, I was upgraded from standard room to a harbour view - the view was definitely it's best point, the room was nice enough. I have not stayed in the Towers but understand the extras are worth it.

 

[Keith009]

What sort of room have you booked - hotel or towers? City or harbour view? As a platinum last year, I was upgraded from standard room to a harbour view - the view was definitely it's best point, the room was nice enough. I have not stayed in the Towers but understand the extras are worth it.

I booked a Harbor view. Don't think it's Towers. But as PLT I'm meant to have some sort of lounge access?

Pending award availability I *may* be able to change my dates to Dec 13-16.

 

[Keith009]

Oops I updated the story on FT but failed to do the same here.

I've confirmed reservations for both Oct and Dec. HKD3000+++ for 2 people in Oct, HKD2700+++ for myself in Dec. Those are the Best Available Rates, room only, for a Wonderful Room.

Also:

We are still finalizing our opening offer, which will be a very exciting package with various aspects from Bliss, WooBar, and some other interesting elements we are currently working on. I will send you the details of it once it has been finalized.

Hawkeye - am still working on getting the stars to align in order to change my dates for Dec.

 

[Keith009]

Online bookings via spg.com or whotels.com have been enabled:

Accepting Reservation Beginning October 1, 2008


Now accepting reservations for arrival on or after October 1, 2008.

I arrive Oct 3 - just in time!

 

[Hawkeye]

OK, so I took the plunge, and booked a Spectacular Room.

I've kept the booking for the Hotel & Towers pro tem, whilst I await the last vestiges of my Sheraton / Westin conservatism to be replaced by my new W funky chic!:shock:

 

[Keith009]

OK, so I took the plunge, and booked a Spectacular Room.

I've kept the booking for the Hotel & Towers pro tem, whilst I await the last vestiges of my Sheraton / Westin conservatism to be replaced by my new W funky chic!:shock:

:mrgreen:

I look forward to reading about your transition to the Whatever/Whenever Experience in Hong Kong.

BTW, Spectacular and Wonderful Rooms are identical, with the only difference being that the former is located on a higher floor. As a PLT you ought to be upgraded a few categories up even if you book a Wonderful Room. Even though Ws are notorious for lack of upgrades as they have v little suites, I've had a relatively lucky strike with the US properties. Been upgraded to the Mega Room as a minimum, and at the W SF and W NOLA-Poydras I got the Fantastic Suites even though both hotels were chockers with convention attendees (and I know for a fact W SF only has like 8 of those!!). The properties overseas might be a tad more generous. They ought to upgrade you at a minimum to a "Preferred" Spectacular Room anyway. Just a thought to save some HKD. (Disclaimer: I will not be held responsible if the upgrade doesn't happen... :shock

 

[Keith009]

Just checked in.... W000000000000000t!!
Was given a personal greeting upon arrival and got a tour by the W Insider (W speak for guest relations manager), upgraded to Fantastic Suite. Tried 2 of their signature coughtails at the Living Room - Honey and Basil Daquiri, and Honeycomb Martini, both v yummy. Had a nice chat with the W Insider - v friendly girl, and apparently the majority of the staff here (and other Ws) have no hotel experience as the W recruitment process disregards such things and hire people based on their personality and the "W touch." I was told the Living Room still hasn't got much of a crowd yet but is getting better, and attracts its fair share of celebrities. There'd be DJ music over the weekends.

Hotel is in soft opening phase so sadly several things aren't ready yet - WET (pool) isn't ready for a couple of weeks, and there were still people touching up the Living Room when I got in. Also v few floors are open and as there is only 1 Fantastic Suite a floor, PLTs might well get upgraded to something else atm.

But importantly Bliss Spa (Asia's first as W Seoul doesn't have 1) is ready so will give Blissage 75 (their signature treatment package, complete with pain-free waxing :shock: - the W Insider and several of the Talent Team have tried it and they guarantee that it's pain free indeed) a try tomo and stock up my toiletries supply.

Highly recommended!!

Will write more in the TR... I told them about the various travel forums and the trip reports people write, and they were most keen to see my TR of their hotel. So you might have some W lurkers on here soon.

edited to add - Whoa they've really pulled out all stops. W Insider just brought me a bday cupcake down at the bar. Lit a candle and sang. V yummy but alas not on the standard menu - apparently they'd specially requested it of the pastry chef who'd made it that day.

 

[Hawkeye]

OK, from your own quick report and good reviews over at FT, I am completely sold on the W for the next trip. Can't wait to see the full TR.

What's your feeling about location, as it does seem somewhat out of the way, esp from TST? It looks much more convenient to the island via the MRT.

Nothing a good walk can't overcome anyway, I s'pose.

 

[Keith009]

OK, from your own quick report and good reviews over at FT, I am completely sold on the W for the next trip. Can't wait to see the full TR.

What's your feeling about location, as it does seem somewhat out of the way, esp from TST? It looks much more convenient to the island via the MRT.

Nothing a good walk can't overcome anyway, I s'pose.

It's only 1 stop to Hong Kong station/Central, however I've been told the MTR line it's on isn't that convenient for TST. I took the cab whenever I went to TST area.

Oh and at the rate they're going, you might just be in time for their official opening. Heard some of the plans for the launch party. I've been specifically told not to reveal any details publicly but suffice to say it'd be The Mother of all Launch Parties. It'd be the most glamourous, flashiest and dirtiest W launch party, like, ever!

TR to continue when I've settled down (just got home)....