At This Hong Kong Hotel, Space Is the Ultimate Luxury

Hong Kong is always a good idea, especially for Filipinos. Less than a two-hour flight and you can be in the vibrant city, hitting the shops or sampling yummy dimsum. 

The question of where to stay, though, when you’re in Hong Kong always comes up. According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, there are about 84,000 rooms in over 300 hotels in the city, so finding a suitable base is never a problem whatever your budget and whichever part of the city you’d like to be close to.

The entrance to the Upper House Hong Kong

Photo by The Upper House Hong Kong.

But when you’ve been to Hong Kong often enough, you begin to look for the best. The hotel experience is just as, if not more, important than all the other things you do while you’re there. And while there are plenty of upscale accommodations in Asia’s World City for the frequent traveler, there’s one that quite literally stands above the rest.

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The Upper House isn’t exactly new (it first opened in 2009), but you’d never think it once you arrive. Pulling into the driveway in the Audi SUV after a 40-minute ride into Hong Kong’s Central area, guests are taken straight up to their rooms. No more waiting in the lobby for the long and often tedious check-in process. Hotel staff say they take it upon themselves to make this part of the stay as painless and efficient as possible. Thus, guests will complete the process up in the privacy of their room. 

Upper House suite with a view of HK harbor at night

Photo by The Upper House, Hong Kong.

On the way up, there are a few noticeable details that hint at the premium experienced offered by The Upper House. Past the “eternal flames” that greet guests in the lobby, an elevator brings guests up past a landing area with a cozy lounge to the elevators and a landscaped outdoor area called The Lawn. You don’t need your keycard to access your floor—another distinct feature that makes you feel like you’re just going up to your own condo unit back home. There also isn’t a “close” button in the lift, which staff say is a subtle hint for you to slow down and take it easy. 

The room itself is unreal. When you’re used to cramped rooms with barely any space for your luggage, the suites at the Upper House will feel extravagant, even a bit ostentatious. At 114 square meters, hotel officials say they offer the largest suites of any other hotel in its class in the city. Entry level rooms, meanwhile, start at 68 square meters, which is still pretty large by most Hong Kong hotel standards. 

Bathtub with a view

Photo by The Upper House, Hong Kong.

A small foyer leads to a spacious living room and a dining area that can also double as a work station. A short hallway then takes you to the bedroom on the left, a walk-in closet on the right, and the bathroom that then leads to an exquisite bathtub.

And the views are, to put it simply, quite stunning. Most offer one of the harbor, making you really feel like you’re on top of the world. It never gets old.

One key feature of The Upper House that guests will appreciate is that everything in the minibar (except for alcoholic drinks) is complimentary. It’s also restocked daily, so when you feel like a sweet or savory snack, you need not worry about adding to your bill. Water is available through filtered tap, so no more plastic water bottles.

Japanese artist Hirotoshi Sawada’s metal wall sculpture, Rise, runs along the atrium of The Upper House

Photo by The Upper House, Hong Kong.

Salisterra restaurant

Photo by The Upper House, Hong Kong.

Service is also a cut above most other hotels in its space. Stay long enough and staff will respond to your every need. For example, if you have a penchant for coconut water, staff will ensure it’s always stocked in the mini fridge.

There’s a mall right downstairs (Pacific Place) if there’s anything else you need that’s not available within the hotel. There is no swimming pool, but there is a gym and an all-day restaurant up on the 49th floor. A “Sky Bridge” leads to the Sky Lounge and Salisterra restaurant, where a fantastic a la carte breakfast is accompanied by even more gorgeous views of Hong Kong’s towering skyscrapers and calm harbor. 

Another view of the dining area

Photo by The Upper House, Hong Kong.

The Upper House dining area

Photo by The Upper House, Hong Kong.

That calmness is reflected in the hotel. In fact, the overriding mood at the Upper House is one of serenity and relaxation, perhaps in contrast to the frenetic, fast-paced hum of the city. Book a massage with the concierge, or choose to sink into one of the couches with a steaming cup of tea and a good book. Whatever you decide, the most stressful thing about staying at the Upper House is deciding whether you’d want to go out at all.