Hotel Review: Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong

My journey would be long, but my stay in Hong Kong would be incredibly short. 

I had just taken the inaugural Airbus A350 Hong Kong Airlines flight from Los Angeles (the first A350 ever to fly from Los Angeles International Airport), and I would be returning to the U.S. the next day. Tired? Sure. But, I was ready for my first stay at a Kerry Hotel, part of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts portfolio of properties.

As a huge fan of Shangri-La’s bespoke Asian hospitality, I was looking forward to seeing what the Kerry Hotels brand would bring, with its focus on catering to road warriors without forgoing high-end amenities and style.

It was dusk when I arrived at Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong, but the lobby of this Kowloon property was bright with polished marble and impressive glass walls facing Victoria Harbor. The hotel’s signature woodsy scent is pumped through public areas, which revived my jet-lagged mind. 

This property shares the same interior designer, Andre Fu, as The Upper House, the prestigious Hong Kong Swire Hotels property. That was obvious from Kerry Hotel’s impressive lobby space and trendy furnishings, which extended to the hotel’s stunning outdoor spaces.

One of the property’s bars has an outdoor patio that puts the skyline front and center; there’s even a pathway along the public promenade that leads all the way to the Tsim Sha Tsui neighborhood.

Beautiful gardens connect a small, infinity-edge pool to the rest of the hotel. Although I didn’t have a chance to take a dip, I imagine it’s a real treat to soak in the warm sun overlooking all of Hong Kong Island in the distance.

More than half of the 546 guestrooms have harbor views, which is a notable feat in this skyscraper-thronged city. It may seem cliche, but I did let out an audible gasp when I walked into my room. No, I wasn’t delirious from a long flight, and no, I wasn’t gasping at the free minibar that’s located in each room (OK, maybe a little). It was the view of the string of glistening skyscrapers across the harbor that caught my immediate attention.

Bathrooms were coated in marble and featured power showers in glass stalls, deep soaking tubs, thick robes and plush slippers. I quickly charged my laptop and phones using the desk’s extensive international power and USB outlets before making a beeline for the terrace to have dinner.

There are five on-site restaurants but, undoubtedly, my favorite was Dockyard, a gourmet, quick-service food hall that has developed a loyal following from the area’s business set. It has both indoor and outdoor open-plan seating with a variety of exhibition kitchens preparing pan-Asian cuisine, including Korean, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, and Indian food, among others. Clients will pay as they go, swiping their card and using a buzzer to go back to collect their dishes when ready. I grazed on bibimbap, pho and sushi on the garden terrace as the reflection of Hong Kong’s skyline shimmered in the harbor water.

Kerry Hotel has its eyes set on the corporate bunch: Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the hotel; the property features the city’s largest pillarless ballroom; and the club lounge comes with free breakfast and evening snacks. The club lounge’s free happy hour is popular with those who have spent a day in the office, although I missed it due to my late arrival. There’s also a spa and fitness center.

Fed and relaxed, it was time to get a full night’s rest. Thanks to bedside power outlets, I was able to charge my phone; all too soon, my alarm went off, and it was time to head back to the airport for the flight home. Kudos to Kerry Hotel.

The Details
Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong
www.shangri-la.com