The Murray, Hong Kong

SITUATED on the fringe of Hong Kong’s financial district, The Murray occupies a heritage building. It’s moments from the venerable Peak tram, which carries passengers up to the island’s highest point. The views are nothing short of spectacular: the city’s best speakeasies and restaurants and leafy Hong Kong Park.

After an extensive transformation—the building was once a government office— The Murray opened to much fanfare earlier this year. The famed façade, with its deep, recessed windows, and the Carrara-marble corridors have been preserved, although sci-fi-inspired artwork by Korean artist Seon-ghi Bahk now dots the walls.

The 336 bedrooms are pure city-slicker style—monochrome, hardwoods and retrofeel furniture—and they are larger than most, in the space-squeezed city (the smallest is 410sq ft). Larger suites have egg-shaped bathtubs, squishy window seats and separate, New York apartment-style sitting rooms.

Downstairs, you’ll find a lap pool, a spa and the mirror-ceilinged Murray Lane bar. Be sure to order its lemongrass-and-kaffir gin and tonic.

There are three restaurants: Guo Fu Lou, for Cantonese fine dining, Tai Pan for European comfort food (the creamy, blacktruffle fettuccine was my favourite) and Popinjays, a glass-pavilion, rooftop restaurant, that has an innovative cocktail list and a golden-apple cheesecake pudding that’s worth the journey alone. Ianthe Butt Rooms from £250 per night (00852 3141 8888; www.niccolohotels.com) Virgin Atlantic offers daily return flights from London Heathrow to Hong Kong, from £589 per person (0344 874 7747; www.virginatlantic.com)