Home might be where the heart is, however The Urban Mum’s preferred place to sleep is a Five Star Hotel. When she recently discovers Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers it is love at first night…
“Anticipation is such a thrilling part of travel – excitement of the new, the thrill of discovery, joy at the familiar.”
Early morning on a Saturday in November, my taxi makes the journey across Hong Kong in record time – which is just as well because a reunion with my sister awaits and I can hardly contain my elation. Impatient to begin our week of ‘girl time‘ , sans kids and husband – I chose Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers as our ‘home’ (another sister stayed earlier in the year, she highly recommends it) – but for now I arrive at Level 16 Towers check-in, the lift opens and a familiar face beams across the room. Thus our holiday begins…
LOCATION of Sheraton Hotel & Towers Kowloon Hong Kong
The debate as to stay ‘Island’ or ‘Kowloon’ side in Hong Kong runs strong amongst visitors.
A ‘call-out’ on Social Media prior to booking our trip confirmed what I suspect – pros and cons lie on either side of Victoria Harbour. Having experienced both I decide that for my sister’s first visit to this thriving city she needs to wake each morning to a spectacular vista – so we stay Kowloon side.
Located directly on bustling Nathan Road the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers is in the thick of the action.
You do not need to step far to reach transport (1-minute walk to the subway – MTR – station), local eateries, extravagant eateries; and a myriad of shopping options (SOGO Department Store can actually be accessed directly from the hotel lobby). We walk for miles everyday – necessitating nightly foot massages at excellent Tai Pan Spa – just across the road. Also in the neighbourhood is the Ladies Markets, Jade Markets, little alley ways off Nathan Road, (check out fab Japanese 100Yen style shop Daiso), and huge shopping centre Harbourside.
An additional couple of bonus’s; the train to transfer to a day of shopping in Shenzhen is within a 5 minute walk, additionally we locate a direct bus service to Stanley – making a scenic trip and saving the transfer to Island side via MTR then bus.
Was the property easy to book?
I was fortunate to have the assistance of the Marketing Department, however my sister booked directly as a ‘regular’ guest and reports the same amount of ease.
First impressions?
A gracious, classically appointed five-star hotel. As I alight from my taxi bags are whisked onto a trolley in a blink – our accommodation is within the Towers Level so I am directed promptly to a separate bank of lifts.
How was Check-In handled?
In the Towers private CLUB FLOORS reception we receive an efficient and friendly welcome.
I love staying on Executive Floors – the service and additional facilities are inevitably elevated, securing a dimension of comfort and luxury.
- Private check-in and check-out at Towers reception on Level 16
- Towers Concierge service
- Access to Towers Lounge, serving coffee & tea and evening cocktails with open bar and hors d’oeuvres **
- 2 hours complimentary use of Towers boardroom
- Express Towers elevators
- Complimentary high speed internet access & data cord
- Complimentary daily deluxe breakfast at Oyster & Wine Bar, overlooking Victoria Harbour
- Complimentary pressing service for one suit or dress per guest per day
- 20% discount on laundry & dry cleaning
- Complimentary local calls and calling card access
- 10% discount at hotel restaurants & lounges
- International newspapers and magazines
** Guests of all ages are welcome. If you want to bring a non-hotel guest (or someone from another part of the hotel) you can pay 200 HKD plus 10% service charge to the Towers Lounge.
Ta da – how was the room?
With 782 well-appointed guestrooms and suites, Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers is a large property. We stay in a Towers Deluxe Harbour View room and if your budget allows I would highly recommend this option.
A huge selling point is ‘those’ views. The rooms are more classically appointed rather than state of the art, however extremely comfortable and spacious. Even with two sisters, several large suitcases and copious shopping we do not feel cramped. Each day we enjoy finding time to relax in our room with a cup of tea and magazine, whilst we watch activity on the the Harbour below – precisely what holidays are about.
Sleep – bliss or blah?
We enjoy peaceful and long sleep, precisely as it should be when you are away from the regular sleep disturbances of home life.
A lovely Towers benefit is a little Sheraton room ‘menu’ and gift (hand cream or chocolate), left on the bed at turndown each evening (yes, a hotel that still offers an evening service and turndown…bliss).
Menu options range from hot water bottle (super soothing after a day of hours and hours of walking), warm milk & honey, various pillow selections, toiletries (deodorant, hair spray, make up remover) – this offering alone speaks volumes about the hotel service.
Unpacking – is there room for everything?
Plenty of wardrobe space, places to leave suitcases, loads of hangers.
We take full advantage of a pressing service (one clothing item daily for Towers guests).
WI/FI – techie bright stuff.
Speakers and other bits and pieces we probably do not take full advantage of – too busy chatting and shopping.
Made to feel at home (robes, bottled water, tea/coffee).
Plenty of all of the above – however minus a coffee machine – although having my first cup in the breakfast lounge is equally (if not more…) enjoyable.
Keeping it clean – bliss or blah (amenities, decent hair dryer)?
As mentioned above; whatever we require all we have to do is ask and it is delivered immediately to our room.
Whilst the hair dryer is fine, we elect to take regular advantage of a very reasonably priced wash and blow dry across Nathan Road at AUD$19 you would be crazy not to (Hair Alex, 1/F, 7 Kar Lock Building – Tel 23655975).
Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers Restaurants
Six food outlets in the hotel range from traditional Celestial Court Chinese, Unkai Japanese, to dining with a view at Oyster & Wine Bar and Sky Lounge.
My pick;
Breakfast
Towers guests can enjoy a full breakfast in the top floor restaurant (Oyster & Wine Bar) – you can also partake of the main buffet restaurant downstairs. We decide to opt out from that alternative as other guests report it is a very busy room (not unpleasant, simply full of people…). However if travelling with children it might be nice for a change of scenery.
Cannily we time our arrival well each morning, we are offered a coveted window view table.
Waiter service provides regular drinks delivery (very good coffee), breakfast main course is via a vast menu selection – additionally a continental style selection and a Chinese/Japanese option are presented on a buffet.
After seven days we still have not sampled all that is on offer – the most extensive club floor breakfast offering I have experienced.
Room service:
There is the option to have breakfast delivered to your room – we did not avail ourselves of this service, perhaps a relaxed option for next time.
Evening Cocktails:
In the Towers Lounge; a highlight of our evenings. Full drink selection, hot and cold canapes – during our visit we notice gatherings of associates, family groups and couples. This mix of visitors saves the Towers Lounge from simply being a place of work, instead a convivial atmosphere heralds ‘Cocktails’ each evening. We are almost too busy chatting to notice the nightly laser light show beaming across Victoria Harbour…
Dinner:
The Celestial Court Chinese Restaurant features authentic Chinese cuisine, award-winning dim sum, and a wide selection of Chinese teas. Renowned for excellent dumplings and notably a favourite amongst local diners, no mean feat in a city that offers literally thousands of dumpling menus.
Afternoon Tea with a View in the Sky Lounge
The perfect place to enjoy Victoria Harbour’s spectacular sunsets along with fine wine, cocktails, refreshments, or afternoon tea.
The dramatic interior is divided into four distinct areas to suit a variety of moods – a high-tea collaboration with Anna Sui is the perfect end to a busy morning shopping.
Action/Relaxation – what activities were on offer?
For this travelling pair morning gym sessions are an integral part of our holiday. In the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers we find an excellent and well stocked gym. Part of the Fitness First chain, we enjoy the use of a yoga room, machine and hand-held weights and plenty of cardio equipment. There is also an option to participate in scheduled classes.
However the piece de resistance is a temperature-controlled rooftop pool offering Victoria Harbour views (make sure you take the time to enjoy a private spa).
Would I stay at this property again?
Yes – the service, facilities and location combine to make an outstanding stay.
FIND OUT MORE
Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers
DISCOVER THE DESTINATION
** observations my own – we were extended a Media Rate for our stay – thank you xxx
SHERATON BONUS’S
I will share more about my experiences, however for now find below a little about the benefits we enjoyed…
PACKPOINT
Never again miss out travel essentials. PackPoint Packing for Sheraton lets you customize what to bring based on; length of travel, weather at your destination, and planned activities. The exclusive app partnership also links you up with TripIt and Evernote, so you can auto-create your packing lists effortlessly.
1-HOUR GEM
Explore Hong Kong’s inspiring ‘local gems’, all within an hour from the hotel. Sheraton has curated local-led adventures, immersive cultural experiences, so you can make the most of your trip.
I found a spot I had not previously visited (Star, Moon, Sun Streets) – and loved every moment.
