Over decades, Four Seasons Hong Kong has delivered the prestige and world renowned hospitality to the countless celebrities, high flying businessmen and politicians and is also well-liked by the high society for its ability to entertain, provide luxury comfort accommodation, extravagant design and décor as well as a Michelin starred dining collection. The recent completion of a second phase hotel transformation has given the new identity of the renewed Four Season Hong Kong a brand new look and carry on with the legacy of timeless elegance.
mylifestylenews writes.
The Four Seasons brand is one of those eponymous luxury hotel chains that is recognized for providing a heightened luxury level of service that so many desire to experience and it goes without saying that when you combine location with the luxury of space, then it is a winning formula.
While the brand loves to talk about luxury as a sense of belonging and can see the draw for their (returned) guests to become loyal and stay with the brand all over the world, the key to such success is knowing when to elevate and upgrade the amenities to facilitate the demanding guest, this refurbishment project has been perfectly timed to usher in a new look and ambience that has taken it up another prestige level.
The Four Seasons Hong Kong stands proud either overlooking the bustling Victoria Harbour or The Peak and is perfectly poised as an attachment to the home of the shopping and business hub of the International Finance Centre (IFC) complex. Its strategic location places you right in the heart of the city’s financial district and adjacent to the eminent ifc mall where countless world-class retail shopping awaits as well as award winning restaurants and exciting events of entertainment that can spoil you for choice in no time.
The location is incomparable with proximity to the heart of the island that is Central and just minutes walk away via the adjacent elevated pedestrian sky bridges to the Central piers that will connect you via ferries to Macau, across Kowloon and to wonderful outlaying islands. There is also the infamous long escalator walk to the lively SoHo art precinct to mid-levels that conveniently connects you to Central with endless hidden-gem restaurants, luminous entertainments, bar hooping and so forth.
Further extending your shopping therapy as well as A-class international companies operating their businesses in this Asian hub, also to savour many renown local delightful street foods that draws thousands of visitor and locals-alike every day; not forgetting to stroll along Pottinger cobblestone steps and the surrounding Hollywood Road for Oriental art and antiques hunt by experiencing the heritage sights of Hong Kong where the old and new meets.
So much to do around this vibrant neighbourhood that is filled with endless excitement, thanks to the hotel’s prestige locale for being able to experience such a thrilling exploration that connects you all through Central for everything you need in one place.
Our arrival from the Airport Express is such an easy journey from the plane to the hotel, which is why this location is just perfect for those independent travellers that don’t want any fuss with limousine transfers and want to save time and the hassles of traffic in Hong Kong, as it can get very congested at certain times of the day. We trundled our roll-on luggage from Central Station up through the ifc mall which connects with a small escalator to the Four Seasons Hong Kong.
The eagle-eyed Concierge team spotted us immediately and offered their helping hand at once even before we entered to the main foyer. The recent refurbishment has elevated many amenities in the hotel to new heights with the highly anticipated make-over. The unfussy ethos and bright spacious lobby has been uplifted to a sense of comfort, with its cozy look inviting lingering with classy, understated uncluttered decor with bold and stylish furniture.
The iconic stairs beckon wedding photographers and instagrammers alike as it is unmissable upon entering the hotel right on the Central water front with soaring glass windows drawing all the natural lights from the majestic Victoria Harbour view.
You can avail yourselves of the gourmet Afternoon Tea at The Gallery while watching the world go by and be surrounded by the city's chicest socialites and personalities who often patronize this most sought-after gathering and meeting point.
The arrival experience is all we would expect it to be, for a moment we catch our breath then let it be taken away by the magnificent Victoria Harbour view. The check in was quick and easy with that Four Seasons touch of warmth and prompt efficiency and before you know it, we are ringing the doorbell on our corner Superior Harbour View Suite and further excitement begins.
The indulgent accommodation is remarkable and sleek and our 68sqm newly-renovated Superior Harbour View Suite is available only one unit per level, on the 29th floor for our stay, which was very spacious and sequestered in the corner at one end of the guest floor that gave us extra privacy. While the most enjoyable hotel rooms should offer luxury and comfort beyond what is your experience at home, the door opens into the modern and cozy living room instead of a lounge, entirely separated from the adjacent bedroom and once again with sweeping views of Victoria Harbour through the floor to ceiling panoramic windows that let the natural light flood in.
With fine detailing exuding high quality, this spacious luxury suite provides a nexus between classic and contemporary with modern and elegant furnishings crafted with traditional detailing. The little details in the decorative touches of Objet d’art and books as well as other thoughtful touches with patterns inspired by vernacular Chinese architecture is offset by the latest technology. The sensible room layout blends well with the warm and natural tone sofa that right away impresses you by offering the understated luxury comfort. The comfortable living area has a versatile work-dining table area with plush leather chairs and a chaise lounge, so there is a genuine warmth of a home away from home lifestyle living to this uplifted work well done. The light natural tone easily complements a variety of decor and accessories, whist the simple and classy design allows the view to steal the show.
As we segue into the bedroom, there is an even larger expanse of floor to ceiling windows to soak up more of the stunning vista of the harbour and across to Kowloon. The large king bedroom was totally uncluttered to allow you to walk around and enjoy the views and you will be easily drifting away to a restful sleep with the effortless style of the heavenly bed and silky Egyptian cotton flat-ironed sheets.
Right behind the bed ceiling wall is the roomy wardrobe that is easily accommodating by unpacking your luggage even for a week long stay connecting to the spacious and sumptuous marble bathroom with a free standing bathtub, a very large walk-in shower with strong pressure shower head and a Japanese bidet washlet that one comes to expect at this level of luxury.
The bathroom amenities also have been upgraded to the exquisite Frederic Malle that leaves your skin squeaky clean and soothingly soft that is the perfect fit for the Four Seasons brand. Another luxe factor box ticked! Housekeeping arrives twice daily and does an impeccable job to keep our corner suite tidy and spotless. The bar of soap never out of alignment and replenishments in no time.
Waking up with the touch of a button to open the curtains to lie in bed and to see how Victoria Harbour and the rest of Hong Kong wakes up is a joy. Unwinding in this luxurious suite is a definite must that we never got tired of, there is heaps of hygge in returning to this cocooned comfort, cozy contentment of some sort. Luxuriously defined by its total comfort and there was so much to take in with the overall feel being very residential as if this was your private home, if only temporarily.
The welcome amenities featured two small bottles of ready-made Chinese milk tea that the hotel is thoughtfully bringing in the local culture to impress their guests together with a bamboo basket of mini baked custard bun and a deep-fried Rosella flower crunchy snacker to tease your palate.
*Image courtesy of Four Seasons Hong Kong
The outdoor heated year round infinity-edge swimming pool overlooking the harbour front is another postcard-perfect scenery spot where you can channel the soothing energy of water as you take in the Harbour’s “qi”, or life force.
Float leisurely as you unwind while taking in the scenery from another angle, or work off that over indulgent meal with some calorie burning strenuous laps in the separate lap pool equipped with underwater music.
A morning swim in the late Hong Kong spring is rather refreshing for the mind and soul or unwind yourself in the hot and cold whirlpools watching the sun sets.
Delight in unsurpassed urban luxury amenities and, weather permitting, spend the daylight hours luxuriating on the al-fresco Pool Terrace where the food and beverage options surpass what one would normally expect with deliciously authentic bites and indulgent champagnes that don’t burn a hole in your bank balance.
Now the transformation is not only benefiting the guest rooms, the stylish and chic Argo cocktail bar is another must go to destination.
Renamed from the former Brasserie Blue, this suitably atmospheric sassy bar overlooks the Harbour front of the Kowloon side right behind the gigantic and luminous well stocked bar featuring a collection of the world’s most unique spirits that is simply mesmerizing.
Argo was named one of the World's 50’s Best Bars with cocktail bar that is driven by innovation and shaped by the modern world. The transformation is remarkable and the decorative fit-out is nothing short of genius with gorgeous interior design that is joyful and sleek.
So much thought has gone into Argo which makes dining or imbibing so magical and you will keep on discovering all sorts of whimsical touches that are eye-catching, to say the least.
Argo is a must-visit during cocktail hours or a post-dinner drinks.
When the night falls, put on that sparkling dress and head to Caprice Bar for some premium selection of wine and cheese. The upmarket yet traditional Caprice bar allows you to find time to unwind between some prestige and elite selections of French wines as well as some top draw international wines.
Sample the larger selection of artisanal cheeses well paired with those gorgeous wines at this ‘in-the-know’ comptoir bar and don’t be shy to ask your sommelier on what’s best to pair with the selection du jour, as they will recommend something special to suit your mood and best palate while soaking in the French masculine, clubby interior and intimate ambience. Such a hidden gem is packed with the fashionable and chic local patrons after office hours and they certainly know about it for good reason!
Should classic Chinese food be your focus, then you also cannot go past
Lung King Heen, the eponymous three-starred Michelin Chinese restaurant that is well received and is a favourite choice of Hong Kongers and travelers who came for the admiration of its fame.
Lung King Heen delivers authentic Canon flavours and focuses on classic and traditional dishes with top quality ingredients and some creative touches on the side. It is all about the food and the range from classic dim sum to signature dishes is wide-ranging and they never miss a beat on the culinary scale.
Argo is also part of the location for the buffet breakfast, which is not to be missed. The kitchen for the a-la-minute menu items is tucked inside and somehow the buffet hits the spot, no matter what nationality or food persuasion you have.
Every day was something to look forward to and the go to dishes are the steamy assorted dim sum, abalone congee and wanton noodle soup which are a class act. Oh-so-nice! The fresh salad and juice bar is rather inviting with a great variety to settle in, none of which could be faulted. Despite the service was a bit hit and miss, but the food spoke volumes and we would rate this one of the best premium quality buffets we have had.
Do request for the private “butterfly conservatory” room as this is a very magical space that is a surprise in itself! For those wanting a more a-la-carte business style breakfast, this can be had at The Lounge on the other side of lobby in a more formal setting.
The Four Seasons Hong Kong certainly lives up to expectations and offers you a luxury sense of belonging despite some service was not always at the top of the game, but overall there are some amazing team members that remind you what the Four Seasons brand is renowned for and are great brand ambassadors. What has been done so far is worthy of the great luxury hotels around the world and the Four Seasons Hong Kong team should be very proud of where the transformation has re-positioned this beacon of luxury once more. The city is packed with an energetic vibe and the hotel’s wining and dining has a lot of fresh new luxe to enjoy yet the timeless elegant height of refinement doesn’t stop here.
Tried & Tested:
Location: 5/5
Design & Decor: 4.5/5
Food & Beverages: 5/5
Housekeeping: 4.5/5
Room Amenities: 5/5
Service: 4.5/5
Value For Money: 4.5/5
Experience: 4.5/5
8, Finance Street,
Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 3196 8882
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.
