W Hong Kong – the insider hotel to life in the city

We’re all about the staycations – say goodbye to passports and plane tickets and hello to luxury right on your doorstep! Hong Kong has a plethora of gorgeous hotels, from old school luxury to unique boutiques, which makes a staycation that much more appealing. That’s why we couldn’t wait to check the very cool, and, might we say, very sassy W Hong Kong on Kowloon side! So what makes the W different? Like many of the hotels in HK, it has great restaurants, fantastic rooms and an awesome rooftop swimming pool, but for me what stands out is the actual vibe of the hotel. It sounds strange, but as soon as you walk in there is an upbeat energy that makes you feel excited to be there. This hotel screams fun, which you can tell from its whimsical, forest-inspired décor and lively lounge and bar area. You also get a real sense excitement from the staff, all of which are so welcoming… I was lucky enough to meet the person who most embodies this spirit of the hotel, Charlie, the W Hong Kong ‘Insider’.

What’s an ‘Insider’ you ask? Well, I was a bit puzzled as to what this meant too, but over the course of my 24-hour stay I definitely saw why this role was so important. Charlie greeted us at the check in and not only made us feel more than welcome, but also made us feel like we had a personal connection with someone if we needed anything at all. The other incredible thing about Charlie? She seems to know everything about Hong Kong! If you’re new to HK it’s worth just coming to the W for her super insider knowledge about all things hip and happening in this city. She can recommend the coolest new bars and restaurants for any occasion and to suit any guest, and she’ll always set aside time for W hotel regulars and VIPs to greet them and give them any updates.

This unique role really sets the W apart, and I was surprised at what Charlie had managed to put together for us as an example of what you could do in HK. Her detailed, 24-hour itinerary included everything from sightseeing on the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade to shopping in Wong Chuk Hang’s new fashion design showroom ED1TUS. This would be absolutely ideal for any guests you’ve got in town, especially if you want them to really make the most of the city and see a different side to Hong Kong. I loved how Charlie also included a stop at a hidden city waterfall in Aberdeen next to Wah Fu estate, which I’d not even heard of. Other highlights of her hour-by-hour itinerary included exploring an amazing vinyl store in Sham Shui Po, followed by a sunset viewing of Tsing Ma Bridge from the quiet area of Ma Wan (Park Island) where you can also dine on local treats at Honey Heart Dim Sum Restaurant.

The W Insider will really help you make the most of this incredible city and enjoy it according to your interests. Their recommendations really are good (Charlie also suggested we try Hong Kong’s oldest bar, Ned Kelly’s Last Stand, in TST – see our Sassy review here) and you can discover completely different areas and places of HK that you wouldn’t otherwise know about. That being said, if you’re looking to just enjoy the luxury of a hotel, then the W doesn’t disappoint either…

The plush rooms are sleek and modern, and I have to say that the bed was one of the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in! The view of the sea was great and the room was incredibly spacious for Hong Kong.

Five minutes after we had settled into our room, the doorbell rang and to our delight a tray was wheeled in stacked with cute lollipops, chocolates and a cocktail making kit! This was such a fun touch and really got us excited for our stay.

If you’re not dashing out to one of Charlie’s fab recommended restaurants, you should definitely try the W’s own Sing Yin Chinese restaurant. The cool interior and traditional Chinese food is the perfect introduction to local flavours for any visiting guests, and it’s a great place for large groups to get the night started (read our full review here).

After our filling meal at Sing Yin, we headed to the Woobar to sample the sinfully delicious cocktails and enjoy the live indie music that was being played as part of the W’s Live Lab sessions. It was so nice to listen to live music, and even better that they were a local Hong Kong band. I tried a lychee cocktail which was strong but delicious with the little lychee bubbles. The Woobar has a great atmosphere – perfect for after-work drinks with the girls and even more perfect for a cute afternoon tea. Yep, they serve the most whimsical afternoon tea delights at Woobar early in the day, which you simply have to try. A great place to relax in the afternoon or after dinner before hitting the luxuriously soft pillows back in your room!

The next morning we headed down for breakfast at Kitchen. Although the restaurant was extremely busy (almost a bit too busy!) I could see why when I walked through to the buffet. Every type of breakfast food was on offer, from gluten-free green tea muffins to Eggs Benedict and baskets of dim sum. We ended up scoffing several plates of this delicious self-serve breakfast spread, and with healthy and indulgent options on offer, this is sure to suit everyone.

If you’re looking to relax, then definitely check out the W’s Bliss spa. The funky decor is definitely different to other hotel spas, and it’s definitely the place to come if you want to seriously chill out and treat yourself. Speaking of which, don’t miss the W’s latest ‘Treat Yourself‘ promotion which includes breakfast for two at Kitchen, an Afternoon T Set for two with welcome drinks, 20% discount in Bliss Spa for treatments of 60 minutes or more per room and late check out… extravagant!

One of the best things about the W has got to be the rooftop pool, or ‘Wet Deck’. Overlooking the harbour and Kowloon, this is the ideal space to catch some rays and grab a bite to eat. We had the chance to try the W’s new ‘Chill and Grill‘ promotion, which is going on until the end of October. The barbecue platter was enormous, with delicious meats, salads and grilled veggies to choose from and you get all this plus two drinks (wine, beer, soft drinks or juice) for $598 (plus 10%).  The ultimate stylish poolside… I loved the butterfly mosaic on the side of the wall too!

Overall, my stay at the W Hong Kong was pretty fabulous – from the room and the dining to the attentive service. The facilities are great and even though the vibe of the hotel is more adult, I was surprised to see a lot of families there enjoying the breakfast and pool. I would definitely recommend the W if you’re looking for a place for visitors to stay, as Charlie the ‘insider’ will definitely help make their trip unique with her amazing city recommendations. They also have a range of offers available if you’re looking for a quick summer staycation at a top-notch city hotel, just check them out here… or simply head over in the evening to grab a cocktail at Woobar! Cheers!

W Hong Kong, Austin Road West, Kowloon Station, Kowloon · Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 3717 2222, www.w-hongkong.com