Breathing New Life to Wan Chai
Luxury and lifestyle come together in the Wan Chai district as the St. Regis Hong Kong officially opens its doors
Luxury and lifestyle come together in the Wan Chai district as the St. Regis Hong Kong officially opens its doors
Wan Chai was always an in-between. On my travels to Hong Kong many years ago, it was just one of the MTR stations that connected my trips between Causeway Bay to Tsim Sha Tsui – or vice versa. It was just another place I had to pass through when I wanted to explore Kennedy Town when it first opened up to both tourists and locals. It was, in my situation, merely an afterthought.
But with the recent opening of the first St. Regis property in Hong Kong, all eyes are now on Wan Chai. The St. Regis Hong Kong, with its rich heritage of luxury and all the beautiful trimmings, decided to call Wan Chai home and suddenly, the neighbourhood’s dynamism came to the fore.
The Hotel
The St. Regis brand doesn’t really need an introduction. Business travellers and leisure seekers look to it for its discreet and personable service and signature rituals. They look forward to immersing themselves in a beautifully curated world, whether it’s in their rooms or at a signature restaurant. And it’s no different at The St. Regis Hong Kong.
“The hotel’s incredible architecture and design beautifully captures the energy of Hong Kong through the lens of St. Regis’ signature glamorous spirit and sophistication,” shares Lisa Holladay, Global Brand Leader for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts.
The towering structure, which is a few minutes away from the buzzing Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, may easily blend into the city’s sea of skyscrapers, but on the inside, renowned interior designer André Fu lends his signature touch to give the space a luxurious finish.
The lobby immediately impresses with its high ceilings and “living area”, complete with custom-made light fixtures, thoughtfully chosen coffee table books, and even a fireplace, perfect for chilly winter evenings. There are a total of 129 guest rooms and suites, with each configuration boasting the luxury of space, floor-toceiling windows, a cool and calming colour palette, wooden floors, and the perfect finishing touches – house brand spirits in the minibar, plentiful USB sockets, and control panels that will help customise the room’s comfort level to your specifications.
The Experience
One of the hallmarks of the St. Regis is the signature Butler Service, where guests are treated to a personalised experience as soon as they arrive. This includes in-room check-in, unpacking and packing, beverage service, and garment pressing. A guest’s dedicated butler will also be able to help when it comes to making arrangements for special occasions. For those who prefer the convenience of technology, they can also opt for the ebutler chat where they can contact their dedicated butler through the Marriott Mobile App, 24 hours a day.
Another crowd pleaser at the St. Regis Hong Kong is The Drawing Room. The space is bathed in light thanks to the overhead skylight, making it the perfect place to gather for all-day dining and the signature Afternoon Tea experience (which, due to its popularity, is always fully booked on weekends). Once the clock strikes 5PM, The Drawing Room attracts even more people for the daily champagne sabrage ritual, where guests and visitors are treated to late afternoon bubbly, setting the stage for a glamorous evening ahead.
Where meals are concerned, the hotel boasts two restaurants that are sure to have their place in Hong Kong’s vibrant dining scene. The first is L’envol, a fine dining French restaurant with Chef Olivier Elzer at the helm. Here, he brings with him 20 years of experience, translated into beautiful plates that are all about technique and the freshest ingredients. Meanwhile, Rùn is the hotel’s signature Chinese restaurant (and breakfast area during the day) where renowned Chef Hung ChiKwong exhibits his mastery and contemporary interpretations of Cantonese cuisine.
The Neighbourhood
As tempting as it is to stay in the hotel the whole time, the Wan Chai neighbourhood is waiting to share its colourful stories with St. Regis’ guests. This district, which is one of the first areas the British settled in, surprisingly has the charm of a small village juxtaposed with the frenetic energy of the big city.
As you navigate yourself from the hotel, you’ll pass overhead bridges and traverse underground walkways, which will offer a peek into the daily lives of Hong Kong’s denizens. At one point, you might resurface at Lee Tung Avenue, which houses a number of fashionable boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. And depending on where you turn, you just might come face to face with The Blue House, a four-storey tenement block that’s painted a vibrant shade of blue. The former residential building is now a living museum that explains various aspects of Hong Kong’s history and urban redevelopment.
The ultimate crowd pleaser in Wan Chai would be the Star Street precinct, which is located up a hill and connects smaller streets, resulting in a maze filled with treasures to uncover. Multi-label boutique Kapok is located here, as well Pici, a casual Italian restaurant that is loved by locals and tourists alike. This area is also the home base for Monocle’s Hong Kong bureau, comprised of a shop and editorial office.
As you explore further, you will discover various restaurants, cafes, and specialty boutiques, all coming together harmoniously, resulting in an exciting lifestyle experience that’s merely 15 to 20 minutes away from the St. Regis Hong Kong.
For more information, visit stregis.com