InterContinental Hong Kong: Waterfront setting with million dollar view

© yohanes.budiyanto, 2013

 

The Hong Kong Flagship Hotels Battle

PART 2: INTERCONTINENTAL HONG KONG

 

The InterContinental Hong Kong is the Asia Pacific flagship property of the InterContinental Hotel Group. Opened in October 1980, it was originally designed as The Regent of Hong Kong, which was also the flagship property of the legendary Asian brand that was founded by visionary hotelier extraordinaire Robert (Bob) Burns, Adrian Zecha (of Amanresorts glory); and Georg Rafael (of former Rafael Hotels, which was later sold to the Mandarin Oriental Group).

 

During its Regent heyday, I was such a big fan of the hotel (and the group) to the point of worship as during that time, The Regent brand was dominating the luxury hotel scene and everything about the hotel was spectacular, groundbreaking and of the highest quality. After The Peninsula and Mandarin Oriental, this was probably the most famous and luxurious hotel of the time, largely due to its unrivaled waterfront location that affords the most spectacular harbour view from most of its magnificent public spaces, and 2/3 of its guestrooms. The grand lobby was also revolutionary during its opening because the prominent American firm Skidmore Owings Merrill (who also designed the 828m Burj Khalifa in Dubai) has designed a multi-tiered public areas where the lobby and restaurants are cleverly staged on different levels like an auditorium, yet all shared the similar dramatic harbour views.

 

Unfortunately, the hotel was later sold to the Six Continents Group and then rebranded as The InterContinental Hong Kong in 2001. I felt that after the rebranding, things have not been the same. Even with the subsequent room renovations in 2005 by Chhada Siembieda, it has not been as successful as the the original modern and timeless design. At this point, I then realized how powerful branding could do to a luxury hotel.

 

That said, InterContinental continues to evolve, and in 2006, it unveils its piece-de-resistance, the 650m2 Presidential Suite, which is undoubtedly the most spectacular in Asia with its own infinity-edged swimming pool on its expansive 250m2 terrace. The Lobby Lounge has just recently been refurbished; and in keeping with the stiff competitions from other rival hotels, InterContinental will soon embark on full scale renovations on all its guestrooms and very dated bathrooms next year. This is certainly good news, as the public spaces and restaurants are looking glamorous and up to date, a glaring comparison to its guestrooms and bathrooms in particular.

 

InterContinental Hong Kong is very strong in its food and beverage side, similar to that of Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons and Peninsula. Three out of four of its signature restaurants are Michelin rated, i.e. 2 Michelin for Spoon by Alain Ducasse; 1 Michelin each for Yan Toh Heen and The Steak House. Although Nobu has yet to receive any Michelin Star, it is still a very popular venue; and so is the Lobby Lounge, which seems to be in full capacity anytime of the day with its endless long queues.

 

 

PERSONAL RATING:

1. Room: 90

2. Bathroom: 85

3. Bed: 90

4. Service: 85

5. In-room Tech: 85

6. In-room Amenities: 95

7. Architecture & Design: 85

8. Food: 95

9. View: 100

10. Pool: 90

11. Wellness: 85

12. Location: 90

13. Value: 95

 

Overall: 90.00

 

THE HONG KONG FLAGSHIP HOTELS BATTLE

l #1. The Peninsula: Deluxe Harbour View Suite: 94.61 l

I #2. Upper House: Upper Suite: 92.50 I

I #3. Grand Hyatt: Grand Executive Harbour Suite: 91.53 l

I #4. Mandarin Oriental: Deluxe Oriental Suite: 90.38 l

I #5. InterContinental: The Patio Suite: 90.00 l

 

My #1 ALL TIME FAVORITE HOTEL

Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong: 95.38

 

INTERCONTINENTAL

18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon

SAR Hong Kong

 

General Manager: Jean-Jacques Reibel

Hotel Manager: Meredith Yong

Executive Chef: Graham Burst

Executive Chef (Spoon by Alain Ducasse): Philippe Duc

Executive Chef (Yan Toh Heen): Lau Yiu Fai

Executive Chef (The Steak House Wine Bar + Grill): Calvin Choi

Executive Chef (NOBU): Erik Idos

Executive Pastry Chef: Cyril Dupuis

 

Architect (circa 1980): SOM (Skidmore, Owing and Merrill)

Interior Designer (circa 1980): Chhada Siembieda

Interior Designer (Spoon by Alain Ducasse, 2003): Tony Chi

Interior Designer (NOBU, 2006): Rockwell Group, New York

Interior Designer (Yan Toh Heen Renovation, 2013): Chhada Siembieda Leung

Interior Designer (Room Renovation, 2006): Chhada Siembieda

Interior Designer (Presidential, CEO and Terrace Suites Renovation, 2006): LTW Designworks

Interior Designer (The Lobby Lounge, 2012): Woods Bagot Hong Kong Studio

Interior Designer (The Ballroom Renovation, 2012): Woods Bagot Hong Kong Studio

 

Hotel Opening Date: October 1980

Total Rooms: 503 Rooms and suites

Total Suites: 87 Suites (Deluxe Junior, Executive, Deluxe, and The Patio Suite)

Signature Suites: 3 (Terrace, CEO and The Presidential Suite)

Bathroom Amenities: Agraria (Regular Rooms)

Bathroom Amenities: Salvatore Ferragamo (Suites)

Restaurants: 5 (2 Michelin Spoon; 1 Michelin Yan Toh Heen; 1 Michelin Steak House Winebar + Grill; Nobu, and Harbourside)

Bars and Lounges: The Lobby Lounge

Meeting & Banquets: 11 Harbourview Function Rooms and Hong Kong's largest Ballroom for up to 1900 guests

Health & Leisure: I-Spa, 24 hour Fitness Centre, 21m outdoor Swimming Pool, 3 outdoor spa pools with harbourview

 

Complimentary facilities: internet, fruit basket and newspaper, Welcome Amenities and Club InterContinental access for The Patio Suite

 

www.hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com

 

Done