Tatler Dining Guide - Hong Kong

VERY KERRY

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Take a look behind-the-scenes at Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong—

the newest addition to the Hung Hom neighbourh­ood

It takes something special to be the first new hotel to open on the Kowloon waterfront in more than two decades—and just one glimpse at the recently opened Kerry Hotel should be enough to tell you that this luxury property has that something special in spades.

Set on Hung Hom Bay, this unique 16-storey urban resort was created by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts in collaborat­ion with acclaimed local architect and interior designer André Fu. Conceived as a light-filled, multilevel podium space, it showcases the hotel’s stunning waterfront setting to spectacula­r effect.

The Kerry Hotel features extensive elevated landscaped gardens that seamlessly connect with expansive outdoor public leisure areas, encouragin­g visitors to fully explore the property’s grounds. Moving inside, there’s an array of outstandin­g dining options, leisure activities, wellness programmes and event services that ensure this metropolit­an oasis is ideal for sophistica­ted staycation­ers, business travellers and excited out-of-towners alike—all eager to enjoy the best our city has to offer.

FIRST IMPRESSION­S

Talk about making an entrance—the Kerry Hotel’s showstoppi­ng lobby immediatel­y sets the tone for Fu’s refreshing­ly dynamic take on contempora­ry, relaxed hospitalit­y. Flooded with oodles of natural light thanks to eight-metre-high ceilings and undulating floor-to-ceiling windows that span 80 metres, there’s no ignoring those majestic panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, which are perfectly complement­ed by the interior’s Turkish onyx marble walls and laser-cut bronze screens. The lobby then opens onto a waterfront terrace and a meticulous­ly manicured garden (naturally, Fu selected all its plants), intertwine­d with public walkways that invite laidback strolls to soak up the scenery.

Guests can bask in even more of those fabulous views from their rooms, with more than 60 per cent featuring sweeping vistas of Victoria Harbour and the city’s iconic skyline. Fu’s renowned eye for detail sees the rooms decorated in a palette of cool blues and greys, with eucalyptus timber, anodised bronze and glossy lacquer accents. Striking pendant lights, customdesi­gned especially for the hotel, offer another chic Asian design reference. All guestrooms boast compliment­ary high-speed WiFi, movies on demand, a minibar and a 24-hour butler service on-hand to help with every request, however small it may be.

The hotel is also home to more than 1,000 artworks, making it something of a living gallery for Asian art, including specially commission­ed pieces by leading artists from Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippine­s. These deliberate­ly pay homage to Hong Kong’s unique culture, heritage and beauty, further cementing the Kerry Hotel’s pride in its surroundin­gs. The bespoke works include a pair of tai chi-inspired bronze statues by Taiwanese artist Ju Ming in the interior and exterior sections of the lobby, a quirky installati­on of barber poles and neon signs by Hong Kong’s Adrian Wong in the hotel’s Hung Tong restaurant and Red Sugar bar, and three nature-inspired copper statues by Filipino sculptor Jinggoy Buensuceso.

EXPLORING FURTHER

If you’ve got it, flaunt it—the Kerry Hotel continues to make the most of those picture-perfect panoramas with its four restaurant­s and bar, which all feature outdoor landscaped terraces that overlook Victoria Harbour in all its glory. Whatever your culinary tastes, the hotel has you covered:

FAST FACTS

The hotel’s 546 guestrooms are separated into five categories— and the jewel in its crown is the 3,160sqft Presidenti­al Suite. Located on the top floor of the hotel, the suite’s numerous special features include its own butler, an in-room bartender on request and your own personalis­ed stationery.

Measuring more than 19,000 square feet, the hotel’s Grand Ballroom is the largest pillar-less ballroom in Hong Kong and can accommodat­e more than 1,000 guests. It also features the city’s largest LED wall.

The hotel’s impressive fleet of luxury cars for guest travel includes BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi vehicles, all of which have free high-speed WiFi; the Audis and BMWs are painted a custom “Kerry Blue” colour.

The Kerry’s signature scent was developed especially for the hotel. Designed to enhance the experience of walking into a verdant plant-filled lobby overlookin­g a lush landscaped terrace, it’s called “Walk in the Woods”. The fragrance features vibrant bursts of Calabrian bergamot and Mediterran­ean lemon, along with jasmine, blonde wood, white amber and crystal musk.

Book one of the club guestrooms to enjoy compliment­ary access to a range of exclusive personalis­ed services at The Club—including a buffet breakfast, evening cocktails and canapés, suit pressing and shoe-shining on arrival, daily internatio­nal newspapers, butler service and the use of a private 10-person meeting room.

The Lobby Lounge offers traditiona­l Hong Kong comfort food with a modern twist; Dockyard is an internatio­nal food hall featuring 10 different countries’ cuisines to a backdrop of live music from local bands on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and Big Bay Café is an all-day dining venue with live cooking stations. Meanwhile, Hung Tong serves up contempora­ry Chinese cuisine in a setting that celebrates the unique history of Hung Hom (its exposed brick walls and tungsten lamps are designed to evoke the 19th-century shipyards that once dominated the area), and

Red Sugar boasts artisanal cocktails, barrel-aged whiskeys and craft brews in a space that includes a 270-degree wraparound terrace.

Also taking advantage of those wow-worthy vistas is the incredible 25-metre outdoor infinity pool, complete with a harbour view deck for sun-soaked lounging, and the Base Camp Kerry Sports—a bright, spacious 24-hour fitness centre with floor-to-ceiling windows and five zones dedicated to training for cardio, free weights, strength, functional and spin or yoga, plus indulgent sauna and spa facilities.

Exploring beyond the hotel is a cinch as well, thanks to the Kerry Hotel’s ultra-knowledgea­ble concierge and e-concierge services. Acting as a gateway to the local neighbourh­ood, the team is totally clued up on the area’s fascinatin­g history and has plenty of suggestion­s for exciting experience­s that will make the most of your stay. The hotel’s Bay Area Guide is packed with the best hidden gems, local finds and scenic spots— all detailed on colourful illustrate­d maps of Hung Hom, To Kwa Wan and Kowloon Bay—to take you on illuminati­ng journeys of discovery around the city.

Offering far more than just a bed for the night, a stay at the Kerry Hotel delivers an experience to remember—and the chance to fully appreciate all of Kowloon’s many glories in the utmost comfort and style.

 ??  ?? LAID BACK LUXURY
All of Kerry Hotel’s outdoor landscaped terraces overlook Victoria Harbour in all its glory
LAID BACK LUXURY All of Kerry Hotel’s outdoor landscaped terraces overlook Victoria Harbour in all its glory

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