Gateway Hotel (Marco Polo Hotels)

The Gateway Hotel is integrated seamlessly into the adjoining Harbour City shopping mall -- the largest shopping complex in Hong Kong -- so much so that its sleek, unassuming entrance is easy to miss. Inside, the lobby is simple and spacious, with clean modern lines, dark-wood paneling, tall floral vases, and walls of twinkling metallic disks. The hallways are sleek and low-lit and there's a pleasant open-air terrace with tidy potted shrubbery and chic rattan seating. The hotel, which was renovated in 2013, is one of three in the Marco Polo chain in Hong Kong, though arguably the most elegant and sharply designed of the group. It appeals a broad mix of business and leisure guests, including families with kids.

The hotel is located on Canton Road, to the west of the Kowloon district of Tsim Sha Tsui. As it is part of the Harbour City mall, there are some seriously upscale designer fashion outlets right on the hotel's doorstep as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities in the surrounding area. The location also means easy access to local transport links. The hotel is right by the ferry terminal, and 10 minutes on foot to the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station via an air-conditioned walkway. The scenic and peaceful Kowloon Park is also just a block away while Hong Kong International Airport is a 40-minute taxi or hotel shuttle ride or an hour by train. 

The hotel has 400 rooms -- all remodeled in 2013. Rooms are spacious -- at least by Hong Kong standards -- and some have views of the harbor (though most are very limited and some are of neighboring wall). All have sleek, contemporary decor and marble-topped furniture. Top-notch amenities include free high-speed Wi-Fi, iPod docks, and large flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Minibar items are free of charge and replenished daily. Guests also have free use of smartphones with unlimited mobile Internet and free calls (to five countries, including the U.S. and the U.K.). Bathrooms are spotless and chic, with bathrobes, hairdryers, and wall-mounted telephones. 

The hotel's Three on Canton fine-dining restaurant offers both Western and Asian dishes in stylish contemporary surroundings and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Children up to eight years old eat free and those up to age 11 eat for half price; children's menus are provided. Guests can also dine alfresco on the chic terrace bar -- Be on Canton -- which also serves drinks and hookahs until midnight. The elegant bar also has an entrance from inside the mall and is a popular destination for locals. Kids are catered to with little gifts at turndown service. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.