Harbour Grand, Hong Kong

A tall, imposing lobby boasts giant Swarovski chandeliers and a waterfall illuminated in golden light

BACKGROUND

I last stayed at the Harbour Grand shortly after it opened in 2009. It is one of two Harbour Grand hotels in Hong Kong, the other being the opposite side of Victoria Harbour – the Harbour Grand Kowloon. Harbour Plaza Hotel Management has ten hotels under management, including Harbour Plaza Hotels (there is a Harbour Plaza North Point nearby) and the three-star Rambler Oasis Hotels.

WHERE IS IT?

In the general area of North Point, though it is closer to the Fortress Hill MTR station (Exit A). The hotel has shuttle buses that run regularly eastward to Quarry Bay and Island East, and westward into Central, plus a service to the Airport Express at IFC.

W H AT ’ S IT LIKE?

The hotel hasn’t changed since opening, but doesn’t look dated. A tall, imposing lobby boasts giant Swarovski crystal chandeliers and a waterfall illuminated in golden light in the evening, along with a harpist playing on the sweeping double staircase. The swathes of marble in the lobby quickly give way to more practical designs in the hotel corridors and rooms, and really it’s the service that stands out, which is friendly and practical.

ROOMS

The 828 rooms, which include 202 Harbour Club rooms on floors 33-40 and 86 suites, all have harbour views, though in the last eight years some of the views from the lower floors have become constrained because of the huge amount of construction in the area.

Rooms are decorated with minimum fuss. Above my bed was a giant print of skyscrapers from a perspective of the ground looking up, which seemed apposite, since I was on the 38th floor looking down. All rooms have tea- and coffee-making facilities, 24-hour room service, flatscreen TVs, dual-line phones including a cordless handset, fast and free wired and wireless internet access, a DVD player, free water, bathrobes, slippers and a laptop safe. The bathroom had a good rainshower as well as a handheld shower, and my corner suite also had a separate bath. Entry-level Superior Harbour View rooms are 31 sqm and have views of the eastern side of the harbour. Guests in Harbour Club rooms have access to the 41st-floor Harbour Club executive lounge at the top of the tower, which has superb views through floor-to-ceiling windows and offers breakfast, afternoon drinks, evening cocktails (including a good range of complimentary martinis) and a private concierge.

FOOD AND DRINK

Harbour Grand Café on the third floor has an excellent buffet breakfast, as well as an all-day self-service food selection. The best option is Le 188 restaurant, on the 41st floor, which has incredible views of the harbour and a new French chef who has revived the menu. Although there are buffet options here at lunchtime and in the evening, it’s worth choosing à la carte. The restaurant also has an outdoor seating area where people can smoke and there’s a good selection of cigars. For private functions and in the early evening (so people can watch the light show on the harbour) there is a roof terrace. Other options include Chinese restaurant Kwan Cheuk Heen, tiny Japanese restaurant Nagomi and the lobby lounge, which also has a terrace.

MEETINGS

There is a small business centre in the far right of the lobby with computers, printers and fax machines. The hotel has 1,178 sqm of meeting and banquet space, and the grand ballroom is able to seat 540 for dinner under a seven-metrehigh ceiling with waterside views at one end. The technology is impressive, with lighting options offering 250 colour schemes, and more giant Swarovski chandeliers providing a centrepiece to the room.

LEISURE

There’s a 27-metre heated outdoor pool, spa bath and kid’s pool on the third floor, and a decent-sized fitness centre.

VERDICT

An excellent choice for business travellers. The location is convenient for getting around with plenty of local restaurants and takeaways nearby, yet it’s off the tourist trail and away from the usual bustle of they city. Great service as well.