Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Kowloon East

Opened in 2012, Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Kowloon East is housed in a 47-floor glass tower that look right at home among Hong Kong's glittering skyline (albeit in a detached, developing neighborhood well away from the city center). Interiors are sharp and contemporary, with lots of eye-catching accents to complement the abundance of wood, stone, and marble. Guests enter to a high-ceilinged lobby with huge, three-story panel windows, stylish pendant lights, colorful wall art, and sculptures. Some elements, such as mobile sculptures resembling boat ropes, take inspiration from the Tseung Kwan O area's fishing village past, while a bit of tastefully executed shimmer punches things up a notch from a style perspective. The top-floor restaurant is a popular gathering place for guests, and features a spacious deck with views of the bay, mountains, and surrounding cityscape. Another attractive outdoor space is the spa's private garden, featuring a circular lawn surrounded by lush trees, shrubs, and bushes. It's a nice spot to unwind in this often frenetic city, and a welcome surprise given the Crowne Plaza's business-minded ethos. The hotel draws a large number of business travelers, which isn't surprising given the brand name and many business features, but tourists make their way here as well, drawn by the lower rates than staying in the city center.

The Crowne Plaza is in Tseung Kwan O at the eastern edge of Kowloon in a somewhat unexciting, mostly residential area. Located a block away, the PopCorn shopping mall has numerous shops, restaurants, and a movie theater. The hotel has direct access to the Tseung Kwan O Station and its MTR lines, and a block away is a stop for two bus lines. Tseung Kwan O South Waterfront Promenade along Junk Bay is a 15-minute walk, and Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground is a 10-minute walk.  Commutes to the city's more popular areas aren't short by MTR. It's 40 minutes to the shops and mall of Causeway Bay, and 45 minutes to Central Station, the Star Ferry Central Pier, and Hong Kong Observation Wheel. The Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden, both designed in Tang Dynasty style, will take about 45 minutes to reach. The popular Tsim Sha Tsui area adjacent to Victoria Harbour, which includes the Avenue of Stars and Hong Kong Space Museum, is up to an hour away. Hong Kong International Airport takes 35 to 45 minutes to reach by taxi or car, and 90 minutes by MTR.

Rooms at the Crowne Plaza have a contemporary look and an undeniably funky edge -- it's a nice step up from the frequently formal interiors in this chain. Expect to see colorful prints of the iconic Li River mountains on the walls over the beds plus bright textiles in tasteful patterns, stylish metal lamps, and high-quality mid-tone wood furniture with modern silhouettes. The color palette is bold, with white, gray, and copper brown as well as splashes of red and gold, and the patterned gray and yellow carpets complete the vibrant look.Rooms are spacious and bright, and some have views of the mountains and/or surrounding cityscape (just don't expect to see Hong Kong's famous skyline -- yes, this hotel is that far away from the city center). There's no noise in any of the rooms, a feat that's complemented by the chain's Sleep Advantage system, with plush beds with thick mattresses and pillow menus. Other nice, sleep-friendly touches include an aromatherapy kit, and guaranteed wake-up calls (or the room is free). Standard features run deep, and include sleek rectangular desks with ergonomic chairs plus minibars and electric kettles for tea or coffee. Impressive in-room technology includes 40-inch flat-screen TVs, iHome docking stations with Bluetooth speakers, and free Wi-Fi. Suites have sitting areas, and some rooms have access to a special 47th-floor Club Lounge with free continental breakfast and afternoon drinks and appetizers. Bathrooms are clean, well lighted, and stylishly designed in pale gray marble accented with shiny black and white surfaces. All are spacious, with good counter space, and come with premium bath products, make-up mirrors, and bathroom telephones. Some bathrooms have deep soaking tubs, while others have standard shower/tub combos, and all have rainfall showerheads. Non-smoking and smoking rooms are available.

The Crowne Plaza offers a wealth of amenities for business travelers and tourists. The 25-meter outdoor pool (82 feet) is a welcome sight, especially given the fact that this is a high-rise hotel where space normally comes at a premium. For even more relaxed ways to unwind, the full-service spa offers a pedicure lounge and a wide variety of massages, scrubs, and facials in its seven treatment rooms. The gym is large and has a varied selection of modern rowing machines, stair-steppers, treadmills, ellipticals, weight machines, free weights, and exercise balls. There are a number of dining options on-site as well. The day starts with a breakfast buffet that includes hot and cold Asian and Western items, though it's not included in room rates. The all-day restaurant serves international and East-West fusion cuisine, specializing in seafood, with both a la carte and buffet dining. Another restaurant serves dim sum and authentic Chinese fare. The 47th-floor rooftop restaurant with outdoor terrace offers Italian cuisine and overlooks Tseung Kwan O Bay (Junk Bay), the mountains, and surrounding cityscape. It also has a stylish cocktail lounge. There's a lobby lounge, 47th-floor Club Lounge that includes free breakfast and drinks for Club Room guests, and 24-hour room service. Not surprising given this brand's business-ready reputation, there's 25,000 square feet (2,323 square meters) of meeting space here, including 11 meeting rooms and a conference center with catering. The hotel also has a business center, concierge desk, bell staff, and fee-based valet parking. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.