City Garden Hotel

Guests enter the hotel into a sleek lobby with an illuminated, textured ceiling, floral art in gilded frames, and upholstered chairs in rich, velvety brown. Restaurants range from a massive buffet spot with an upscale-cafeteria feel to the popular YUE, with wood floors and private booths with bolster pillows and diaphanous canopies. The 1988 building and its interiors have been well-maintained, but beyond the lobby, some areas -- such as the guest rooms -- decor can feel slightly outdated, and guests remark on the lack of views considering how close the hotel is to the water. But it's competitively priced and units are spacious, attracting a range of travelers from business guests to families. 

This 25-story high-rise is located in a relatively quiet area on the north point of Hong Kong Island along the harbor, beyond the hustle-and-bustle of downtown. The neighborhood has lots of residential housing, but there are also restaurants and convenience stores within a short walk, and guests can get to Victoria Park in about 15 minutes on foot. The location's highlight is its proximity to transportation -- it's only a six-minute walk to the Fortress Hill MTR station -- and close to trams and buses on nearby King's Road. It's a three-minute train ride to the Causeway Bay stop, a popular shopping area. Attractions like the Temple Street Night Market and the Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower will take about 35 minutes via public transit, while Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple is about 45 minutes. Hong Kong International Airport is 70 minutes via public transit. 

Guest rooms are quite spacious for Hong Kong, with more than 300 square feet of space, even in entry-level digs. Decor can feel somewhat dated and generic, but rooms are well-maintained with a tasteful, neutral color palette of cream and beige. There's wall-to-wall carpeting, dark-wood laminate furniture, and large windows that let in plenty of light. Most units have small, wall-mounted desks and seating areas -- upholstered chairs in entry level rooms, or window-side bench seating in upgraded rooms. Bathrooms tend to be be compact but they're stylish, with basin sinks, small counters with free individual toiletries, and shower/tub combos. 

Rooms include tea/coffee service, minibars, free bottled water, and electronic safes, plus flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Guests also receive smartphones for the length of stay, which include free mobile internet (though this can't be tethered to personal devices) and free calls to some countries. Views are mostly of nearby apartment blocks.

The hotel has a reasonable set of amenities for such a massive property. There are several on-site dining options, including YUE, the Michelin-star rated restaurant serving Cantonese food; Garden Cafe, a buffet restaurant with eastern and western fare, and Satay Inn, which features Singaporean dishes. Guests find the food good but pricey, and the extensive breakfast buffet is well-liked but not necessarily included in the room rate. Room service and takeaway service are also available.

The hotel's wellness facilities are on the small side. The second-story outdoor pool and whirlpool offer views of the surrounding buildings and are well-maintained, but not luxurious, while the 24-hour fitness center has some nice modern weightlifting and cardio equipment. There is no spa.

Guests stay in iPrestige-level rooms have access to the 25-floor Club Lounge, which includes a business center with computers, free snacks and drinks during select hours in the evening, and a free breakfast. The hotel also has a host of facilities for meeting and events, including weddings, and there's a concierge. There's also free shuttle service to HK Station (the station offers a direct line to the airport). Wi-Fi is free throughout and hotel guests are given internet-enabled smartphones for the length of stay.