SHERATON HONG KONG HOTEL & TOWERS @ Prime Location With Stunning Harbour View

A stalwart on the bustling Tsim Sha Tsui hotel scene to discover the many sides of Kowloon, the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers continues to keep up the pace with fresh looking rooms as well as its most sought after harbour view rooms that come with a spectacular waterfront vista. mylifestylenews writes.

Some hotels move forward without the design touches of old to create a completely new look, but the Sheraton Hong King Hotel and Towers has embraced some of the old to keep a sense of occasion and have a nod to some quirky retro design elements which we loved.

Centrally located in the vibrant Tsim Sha Tsui, the location is unquestionable with easy access by premier public transportation, thanks to its octopus-like Metros as well as the Express Rail Link and the ferry terminal, walking distance to most commercial hubs and premium shopping and entertainment precincts such as the arty K11 Musea, Harbour City among those well established restaurants and retails bringing the tireless and colourful, lifestyle to the neighbourhood.

Despite the hotel being located on the long stretching Nathan Road, the official entrance of the hotel is off Salisbury Road if you chose to arrive by car or taxi. On arrival at the ground level, a full Concierge service is available, but the check-in is on level two and easily accessed by the spacious lifts. The level two foyer has a high ceiling, more like a gigantic duplex complex designed in the harlequin style wall woodwork with the mezzanine gallery and balconies. The retro architectural hanging chandelier in the grand staircase curves that takes you back to yesteryear glamour that is quite arresting to the eye in a pleasant way. 

The check-in was busy during our arrival and it seemed to take longer than expected. Despite the check-in time is 3pm and we were delighted that they managed to check us in around noon which was a blessing allowing us to settle in as early as possible. We were allocated on the 16^th floor, with the 30sqm newly renovated Harbour View Room which was not very big, yet comes with a fresh, modern interior in calming neutrals mood tone with contemporary comforts looking out through the large windows framing the iconic and legendary Victoria Harbour.

The room is sensibly designed and maxed out the space to allow you to enjoy the stunning Victoria Harbour view even from the shower/bath through to the bedroom. With seating and desk space right at the window, there were plenty of opportunities to take it all in. We still managed to open two suitcases with room to spare, plus there is a small wardrobe just as you enter which is also quite essential to hang your suits and coats. It was genuinely a pleasant surprise with the modern design touches and elements, so we were impressed.

The room also features quality bathroom amenities and the shower had excellent water pressure. Of course it is all about the view and this room had it in spades, with sweeping views of Victoria Harbour and the skyscrapers all along Kowloon and Hong Kong Central waterfront to Causeway Bay and beyond. It is completely mesmerizing especially if you are a first time visitor for an unforgettable urban retreat staycation.

The harbour view rooms are worth the extra investment, along with the Sheraton Club access which provides an added dimension of comfort and luxury. The club lounge is located on the 16th floor and suffice it to say, you cannot go wrong with this added benefit. Once again the harbour views and Tsim Sha Tsui precinct views of bustling Nathan Road is another highlight to chill in the Club Lounge. The cocktail hour food and wine selection is pretty good – better than some more luxurious hotels and everything was plentiful. It can be a little tricky to secure a harbour view seat, but that is trifling.

As expected, refreshments are available throughout the day, but they sensibly don’t do breakfast, as they have a huge all day dining at The Cafe to accommodate guests on level two and the Sheraton Club is not exactly capacious or suited for breakfast service with its set-up. The team were super attentive and at no point did you feel you were wanting for anything.

Other amenities include a gym with views over Nathan Road and a small rooftop pool facing the harbour and three heated Jacuzzis that let you relax in the fresh air and a reasonably sized sundeck to sunbathe in good weather, although it is a rather circuitous path to get there.

The Gym

As the hotel has the perfect location, you have bucket loads of shopping and sightseeing right on your doorstep too and the locale is fantastic for a stroll to soak up the sights and sounds of Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon and beyond.

Breakfast at The Cafe turned out to be a daily highlight with an enormous all-you-can-eat international buffet covering Cantonese favourites, including noodles, assorted dim sum, congee and more, Western dishes that hit the spot and lots of delicious bites in between.

It was very busy given the number of rooms accommodation over two towers, but the queue to get a seat didn’t take long to clear and the service team were pretty switched on. The only observation was that the tea and coffee quality were not that great, more like banquet standard, but other than that we very much enjoyed our breakfast and it ticked all the boxes for buffet lovers.

Appetites other than breakfast can be sated in house with a number of options, encompassing Celestial Court Chinese Restaurant for dim sum and classic Cantonese food, Unkai Japanese Cuisine for sushi and Teppanyaki, Oyster & Wine Bar on the top floor with harbour views offering fabulous seafood and champagnes to chill and unwind, the Sky Lounge on the rooftop for vintage wines and cocktails alongside the spectacular views, the Lobby Lounge for light bites and the list goes on.

The Concierge, Front Desk, Sheraton Club and The Cafe teams are quite warm and friendly and are willing to go some extra miles by offering their attentive and prompt service and well interacted, so well done. The location is hard to beat and if your are first time visitors looking for an affordable option with spectacular Harbour views, then the Sheraton Hotel & Towers is warmly recommended.

Tried & Tested:
Location: 5/5
Design & Decor: 3.5/5
Food & Beverage: 4/5
Service: 3.5/5
Value For Money: 4/5
Experience: 4/5

Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers

20, Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui,
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2369 1111

Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated.

TOO SAFE IS TOO BORING 流行不流行之我為何讓你走？！ 《上》

TOO SAFE IS TOO BORING

流行不流行之我為何讓你走？！

《上》

GUCCI 销售额大不如前，表现不似如期，就连明星穿着效应也翻车，业绩跌跌不休要怪谁？！

说话由 Tom Ford 掌陀时期的 GUCCI（1995-2004）简述讲起 (之前由家族式经营，高潮迭起兼传奇的戏剧性事故亦曾被拍成电影，在此不作一提，有兴趣者可自行谷歌一番），阿 Tom 哥时期的 GUCCI 性感前卫，懂得擅用丝绸、丝绒以及金属等有光泽的物质材料，并赋予 Deep V、高开叉的设计，刻意敞开领口、大面积镂空等的非常 Tom 式设计手法和工艺，成功展现现代优雅和狂野，具备 GUCCI DNA 根本的元素。时隔多年，今天从衣柜取出穿上，并不过时，实属经典中的经典。

当年再加上精心布局及颇为大众受落的时尚广告大片，刻意及大胆展现挑逗意味和煽动性，情欲满泻。阿 Tom 哥认为 Sex Sells，成功开拓此路线，赋予品牌高视度统一及辨识度极高的设计，这新姿态不但迅速被受落，更迎来商业腾飞，由两个亿上升到三十个亿美金年销售额的骄人成绩，令这个一度面临破产的高尚品牌起死回生，功不可没。

阿Tom哥被离任后，由 Alessandra Facchinetti （2004-2005）补位，短暂的 GUCCI 生涯只设计了仅仅一季，无人问津及能被记起（不如不做）的空洞式设计，神话破灭，不被谈及。时隔不久，马上由配饰设计师 Frida Giannini （2005-2015）顶上。

Frida上任后的设计运用了更多色彩，虽弱化了性感价值，但却加入了女性柔媚华贵以及各式各样的花卉印花面料的使用比例提升，（头几季的系列设计，个人还是蛮喜爱的）但到了后期的部分大玩 Bohemia 波米希亚系列就逐渐倒米，设计和轮廓开始变得有点不伦不类。

从高水准到后来僵化乏陈欠新后期的感性设计只能平稳阿 Tom 哥的风格，设计风格一转再转，辨识度不够，存在感欠奉，打造不了爆款产品的能力亦相对薄弱，虽有十亿的年售增长，成绩不算亮眼，不能满足上头设定的目标，再加上当年 Frida 的男友兼品牌首席执行官情史被公开，花边新闻及闲话有说 Frida 能撑十个年头，不多不少有其高层男友的扶持攸关。两人最终被离职，此情可待成追忆。

直至到 Alessandro Michele（2015-2022）的加入，销售神话可谓立即重创，不到八年从 38.9 亿欧元增长至 104.8 亿欧元。Michele时期的GUCCI商业魔法及玩法，其超群出众的风格与鲜明的美学，以戏剧性的文艺复兴元素和怪诞幻想见称，迎合不少刚进入时尚圈的 Z 世代青睐。

米式的怪诞造型，成功创作了品牌整体视觉表达的框架氛围，复古而颓废，古典极繁符号满布。虽不是人人爱喝的那杯熱柠茶，但 Hip 得来又具有个人独特风格及个性的造型，非凡人能驾驭。又，其架空于现实的秀场概念设计及时装秀，看似格格不入，似懂非懂及冲击视觉的鲜明美学衍生，生人勿近，无人能及。

好吃的东西，吃多了也会腻。热闹过后，过了冷静时期，Michele 大同小异的重复系列设计雷同，而系列主题所引用的经典文学和哲学及大锅同抄的配方不怎再鲜明，同时亦相继割裂而迥异。知识被娜用，闷极的轮廓亦无法追忆该时期的 GUCCI  有过怎样的鲜明主张，一季复一季的复制系列很快让人感到厌倦，新鲜感下滑，开始对这新 GUCCI 的审美疲劳。追随者吃腻了这怪诞美幻风格的米式疯癫美学，任由设计团体如何搅尽了脑汁，也于事无补，这是否已触顶而导致品牌业绩同时逐渐放缓的因由？！

同时，那些看似简明易懂的设计，试问又有多少人可以穿出这GUCCI所谓的 Fashionable Vibe呢？而追随者们又真的能读懂 Michele 为每一季那些精心编排的时装秀及非凡人能看懂的哲学主题吗？ Michele 式的设计美学，忠于其设计理念，业界对他的敬意和尊重，无用质疑。这种认知错误谁能让你记住了 Michele 时代的 GUCCI，但能够真正产生精神共鸣的又有几个？究竟号称时尚爱好者的你又是否了解他到底要表达的是什么吗？

集团一哥有见及此，御下密令，还是尽快回归现实为上策。 Michele 的被离任，设计总监的一职悬空，中间的过冷河系列揽抄再揽炒，更不堪一看，直至由曾为 Prada 、 Dolce & Gabanna 及 Valentino 效劳的 Sabato De Sarno （2023-2025）顶上，被雇用为创意总监，目的是想透过 Sabato 的扎实基本功，真懂剪裁的工艺去加强品牌在时尚潮流方面的权威地位。同时上头要彻底清除 Michele 时期的文艺复兴式浪漫，试著回归经典与性感，朝上高端化的方向发展。新设计师上任可有把几火，能否延续业界三季定江山的神话？

请待续。。。。

 

OYSTER & WINE BAR @ Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers - Taste The Sea with Stunning Harbour View

To indulge your senses in delectable flavours with a majestic view of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, the Oyster & Wine Bar in The Sheraton wants you to taste the fresh catch of the sea with a stunning view to match. mylifestylenews writes.

While dining is an integral part of any travel experience, what is not to like when you can have dinner at an impeccable venue while enjoying the breathtaking beauty of the Hong Kong Victoria Harbour? Perched atop down a long hallway on the 18^th floor, the Oyster & Wine Bar on the top floor of the hotel has one of the best views in Hong Kong and has been in this pre-eminent position for decades and is still going strong.

This classy Oyster & Wine Bar is definitely off the tourist beaten track and makes a well-kept secret for those who know as well as those who love oysters and wine alongside a seafood selection. This wine and dine sanctuary is truly a seafood and oyster haven if that is what you are looking for a night out with champagne, wine and dine with fine food discovery.

The impressive range of freshly shucked oysters is probably one of the most well-stocked jet-fresh oysters in Hong Kong, with more than 20 varieties of international and regional “hard shell beauty” to choose from, you really do not know where to begin as they are more than just inviting to indulge your cravings.

It is an intimate wine and dine venue for a special occasion that will create some fond memories. Prior reservation is more than necessary to secure the front row tables to enjoy the uninterrupted harbour vista from this unique vantage point. Some may call it old fashioned when it comes to its interior and ambience but the restaurant exudes a classic style with white tablecloths, and at least a proper table setting and service is there to adhere to a classic standard so to enjoy some fine food.

As you enter, there are two walls of faded black and white photography against the dark wooden walls featuring previous famous VIP’s and guests who were once guests of honour in various events dining and wining in this nostalgic wine bar. History was evidently made.

The touch of blue is added onto the ceiling juxtaposing the blue lighting wall lamps to perhaps reflect the ocean as a theme and the fun and vibrant blue carpet design also  added some lively elements to the already cozy ambience, with chalk outlines of wine bottles and wine glasses as a motif. As the name suggests it is all about oysters, seafood and great pairing wines so carnivores might want to look elsewhere, as the main feature during our visit to pamper your palate were oysters and lobsters! We settled on the Luscious Lobster Land sharing menu which seemed to tick all the boxes.

<Oscar Selection of Oysters>
Chef Oscar Chow’s pick freshly shucked oysters served on crushed ice was rather enjoyable. The oyster from Seattle, USA was very creamy, tender and extremely meaty and not too salty whereas the oyster from Brittany, France was quite silky and delicate in texture. They were accompanied by a red wine vinegar and shallots dressing to stimulate the palate. A delicious start to the evening.
 

<Grilled Boston Lobster Salad>
Butter Lettuce, Walnut Oil, Micro Cress & Green Apple
The lobster was very fresh, meaty and tastes of origin, which sat on top of a bed of leafy and crunchy butter lettuce that was well tossed with walnut oil. An enjoyable way to enjoy lobster with such a light salad combination.
 

<Lobster Bisque>
Lobster Ravioli & Cognac
A very delicate bisque and while redolent of lobster it was a bit watery for our liking. The lobster ravioli was cold and the bisque was luke warm – not sure if this was how it was meant to be as it was not clarified on the menu, plus the gellee was annoying with two big pieces that tasted of nothing in particular, not to mention that the bisque spilled and ran around the serving dish. Disappointing!
 

<Angry Whole Boston Lobster>
Chef Oscar’s Way with Vine Cherry Tomatoes & Grilled Farmer Bread
This was very impressive visually and the generous serving portion was for two people. The menu term “Angry” is because of colour and spice used to create a red dish in red sauce and supposingly spicy but rather mild to us. The bisque was delicious with a lot of garlic in a tomato based broth and without being too fishy, this time it was served steaming hot in a likable temperature. A well executed dish with lots of flavour that was certainly eye-catching the way it was presented with a great taste to match. Let the bread soak up the flavour to please your palate. It was a standout dish that was perfectly executed and value for money.

<Fondant au Chocolate>
Hazelnut Crumble, Chocolate Sauce, Raspberry & Vanilla Ice Cream
A classic dessert and this was nicely done with all the right touch points and not too sweet on the chocolate front. It had a lovely presentation, flavour and texture with the hot and cold contrasts of the warm chocolate fondant top with raspberry and vanilla ice cream. Delicious!

The evening was not exactly seamless. The food was pleasant enough, but just seemed to lack that “WOW” factor and any individuality. Hip-hop music was chosen during our visit which was rather annoying and didn’t really suit the classy ambience nor the mood. Despite the spectacular views and food quality are a unique selling point here, service was not at the level we expected either, as the interactions was quite minimal throughout the evening and were not as fluid as they should have been. The service team didn’t enquire as to whether we were enjoying our meal either, more like a robotic gesture that came and went and only once.

Plating with fingerprints was not so much of a fine dining experience if that is what they like to project for their diners, perhaps being more observant on the little details would possibly go a long way to savour the breathtaking beauty.

 Tried & Tested:

Location: 5/5
Design & Decor: 4/5
Food & Beverage: 4/5
Service: 3/5
Value For Money: 4/5
Experience: 3.5/5

Oyster & Wine Bar

18/F, Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers

20, Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui,

Kowloon, Hong Kong

Tel: +852 2369 1111

Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated. 

 

THE SUKHOTHAI SHANGHAI @ An Urban Sanctuary

Shanghai is still exploding with luxury hotel brand openings and it is a very competitive landscape, but the renowned luxury brand that originated from Thailand, The Sukhothai, set its foot in this vibrant metropolis since 2018 to offer an urban lifestyle sanctuary for travellers especially for those who adore the brand’s hospitality and abode. mylifestylenews writes.

Managed by the prestigious The Sukhothai Hotels & Resorts and to unveil the urban sanctuary of cultivated seclusion, The Sukhothai Shanghai is a contemporary lifestyle slash business hotel well situated in the heart of Shanghai’s business, shopping and entertainment district, not to mention is one of the the best foodie heavens in the city with endless restaurants and street eat varieties to explore.

The Sukhothai brand has always maintained a high standard of luxury in Bangkok so we were intrigued to see how the brand resonates in a large bustling city such as Shanghai. The Sukhothai Shanghai tout themselves as a contemporary boutique lifestyle hotel, so the location is perfect to enjoy with so much that Shanghai has to offer.

While the hotel forms an integral part of the premium HKRI Taikoo Hui mixed-use complex in the prime and bustling Jing’an District, luxury retail shopping is expected. The Sukhothai Shanghai is conveniently adjacent to this premium mall with major prime subway station and connecting lines underneath as well as just minutes away from the city’s best sought after sightseeing to The Bund promenade along the Huangpu River and the classic and historical Yu Garden, which dates from 1577.

We made our own way to the hotel using the local metro, as traffic in Shanghai can be pretty congested especially during peak hours and we felt this was the easiest and most direct way to arrive, not to mention travelling light. With multiple metro lines connecting to the Nanjing West Road stop, a short walk under cover will lead you to the hotel with clear signage, so the navigation is not difficult.

The first impression of the hotel foyer couldn’t strike you with much Thai design elements except recognizing the hotel signature “Chedi” logo design and the instagram-purpose Tuk-Tuk at the main entrance next to the revolving door, as the facade and lobby was quite bare with modern finishes. There was plenty of natural light flooding into the lobby through the large floor to ceiling windows to create a bright ambience, but the granduer of luxury in Bangkok won’t be expected here.

Crafted by the acclaimed design practice Neri & Hu, the hotel is well associated with some alluring artworks (some don’t really gel with the interior) and design features in the public area with materials and textures such as natural stones, fine woods, delicate silk and polished brass, bold and stylish colour tones blend with contemporary furnishings, while incorporating a series of sustainable practices in architectural design.

As the design objective goes, every Sukhothai is differently curated to reflect the distinctive culture of its destination, with no two Sukhothai hotels being the same, suiting the locale and surround to create a different vibe for their guests to embrace the independent spirit of The Sukhothai Shanghai that is fused with authentic, cultured experiences in Shanghai.

Staff were quite obliging, considering it was only noon of our arrival, but we were lucky that our room was ready and keys were handed over. The hotel boast 201 artfully designed and well appointed guest rooms and suites. Our 88sqm Executive Suite was located on the 15^th floor and had a seamless floor plan of practical living spaces, with bespoke inclusions and touches of luxe.

We were instantly taken with the level of luxury in this sleek and stylish suite. Directly in front of the entrance is a separate guest toilet and then to your left is the entrance to the bedroom with a large open walk-in wardrobe behind the bed that can be accessed either side of the bedroom. As you walk in you have the living space to one side with an l-shaped lounge, dining table and chairs and large windows to enjoy the urban view.

It is relatively spacious and decorated with well-appointed features and custom-made designer furnishings, striking interior design details and a huge separate living space including dining table for entertaining to elevate the experience. No space is wasted where a side deck, a pantry, shelving or a desk will fit, you feel it is spacious and open.

The large king bed has very luxurious linens and a work desk to one side with a designed ladder shelving behind the desk. Some thoughtful touches and plenty of space to spread yourselves out.

Off the bedroom is a huge bathroom with a very large walk-in shower, separate toilet and large double vanity with gorgeous premium organic bathroom amenities from Australian skincare brand Grown Alchemist, which we quickly discovered were fabulous and nourishing the skin.

The whole bedroom and living space is bathed in light, creating an incredibly airy feeling and privacy can be achieved at the touch of a button. Then there’s the elemental feel of the materials that sits particularly well in this green environment, Rammed-earth walls aside the characterful charcoal timbers are inspired bedfellows.

There were other details to ensure you were very comfortable such as state-of-the-art iPad interactive control technology to adjust lights and curtains at your fingertips, a Nespresso coffee machine and tea-making facilities, plus complimentary refreshments in the minibar. The design of the entire Executive Suite is truly a serene retreat.

As expected, wellness is a key focus for the brand, so the lower ground floor is dedicated to the harmonious concept of integrating and returning to nature and they call this A Place Apart. 

There is The Retreat, a rejuvenation spa with multiple treatment suites, a 2-metre indoor heated lap swimming pool with lounges and a white tent to cocoon by the poolside which is rather bizarre, separate sauna and steam room in each of the change rooms, a modern and well facilitated fitness studio of some size that has a section overlooking the indoor pool and a serene sound therapy meditation room to let you feel the sound energy from the bowl and gong pouring into your body.

Fitness studio

They have certainly expanded the usual offerings here for you to search for an absolute tranquility and rejuvenation.

Sating appetites is also a big focus, with the URBAN Cafe serving authentic Thai fare, which also has a garden terrace offering a refreshing oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of downtown Shanghai. Should your palate need authentic Italian food, there is La Scala for a celebration of culinary artistry to indulge in a proper wine and dine experience.

For cocktails you have the ZUK Bar and then a casual dining spot adjacent to the mall called Bean and Grapes for light bites and refreshments.

Breakfast is enjoyed in the URBAN Cafe, which on the surface looked quite appealing, but we found this to be a little disappointing. The buffet is reasonably wide-ranging, but just doesn’t match what other luxury hotels, at least not what The Sukhothai standard should be offering from our experience.

We savoured some traditional Shanghainese dishes, Thai dishes and western dishes, but we always found something wanting, such as bland flavours, incorrect sauces and condiments or tastes, wrong food temperature and etc. Besdies, not a single staff member seemed happy to be working there nor engaging with the guests which made for a pretty miserable breakfast experience.

The tea and coffee was not up to standard, more like a banquet serving standard. The presentation of the buffet began to be taken down and removed well before the finish time which was not conducive to enjoying a leisurely breakfast (it happened two mornings in a row during our visit). What should have been the highlight of every day became uninspiring and a disconnect for the brand itself, as this was the antithesis of what you would experience and enjoy in The Sukhothai Bangkok by a long shot.

It was a shame that the breakfast was so disappointing, as the hardware is to be admired, but sometimes the software just doesn’t punch above its weight. We had multiple interactions with the Front Desk team and each time the service level varied, with some staff nailing it and others just not interested in the guest. We loved the location, as you can easily access so much of the highlights of Shanghai by metro and also a lot by foot if you love to walk. Our Executive Suite was faultless in all regards and it was a pleasure to return to the hotel every day after much walking and sightseeing and completely relax in the luxurious suite environs. We enjoyed swimming every morning to burn off the calories and stretch further but we had no interest in sampling the hotel restaurants for dinner based on our breakfast experience.

The Sukhothai Shanghai is truly an intimate sanctuary more than providing just a roof over someone’s head in the heart of Shanghai, and it has so much to offer and its location is fabulous as well as its room design features and comfort. With such stiff competition on the doorstep, more consistency in service delivery is an absolute must, not forgetting the elevation of the breakfast food presentation and quality. In order for guests to experience and embrace the renowned and genuine hospitality that originated from the Land of Smiles, the signature Sukhothai service culture and philosophy with the pursuit of service excellence can lead to the passionate and genuine hospitality with discreet attentiveness which is there to adhere, but not on this visit.

Tried & Tested:

Location: 5/5
Design & Decor: 4/5
Housekeeping: 5/5
Food & Beverage: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Value For Money: 4/5
Experience: 3.5/5

The Sukhothai Shanghai
388 Weihai Road,

Jiang'an District

Shanghai, China

Tel: +86 21 5237 8888

Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated.