Lodgewood by L’hotel Mongkok Hong Kong

Lodgewood by L'hotel Mongkok Hong Kong is housed in a 19-floor building with a glass exterior, and feels very much like an apartment- or residence-style property. Guests take an elevator to a third-floor lobby that's as sleek as a new airport lounge. Mod swivel chairs in charcoal-gray and mustard-yellow fill the space, and there's a row of Mac desktops set on a white modular console. Two espresso machines are tucked into the corner, and a couple flat-screen TVs are flush-mounted in a white wall with a dizzying geometric design. The space is striking, but guests don't tend to lounge here. The hotel's Cantonese hot pot restaurant books up in advance and stays crowded until late in the evening. Couples traveling for leisure are the hotel's main clientele, and it also attracts some families and business travelers. 

Lodgewood by L'hotel is in the relatively quiet Prince Edward area of bustling, densely populated Mong Kok, known for its street markets. Three are within a five-minute walk of the hotel: Sai Yeung Choi Street has electronics; Ladies Markets sells women's clothing, accessories, and cosmetics; and The Goldfish Market offers a huge variety of seafood. It's also within five minutes on foot of Langham Place mall, which features hundreds of shops and a huge atrium with views of the surrounding area. It's about a five-minute stroll to Flower Market, Mong Kok Stadium, and to Yuen Po Street Bird Garden. Tsim Sha Tsui, with attractions like the Avenue of Stars and Bruce Lee Statue, is roughly a 15-minute MTR ride. 

The hotel is close to several public transportation options: Mong Kok Road bus stop is about a two-minute walk, and Prince Edward MTR station can be reached in about eight minutes on foot. Hong Kong International Airport is a 25-minute drive from the Lodgewood. 

Rooms and suites at Lodgewood by L'hotel have a contemporary, minimalist look, with a muted color palette of beige, light grey, and white. Some may find the aesthetic a bit plain, but crushed-velvet fabrics, designer-inspired furniture with polished chrome accents, and white lacquer wardrobes have upscale appeal. Standard features are equally impressive. All units come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, electric kettles with free instant coffee and tea, iPod docks, Blu-ray players, pillow menus, and free Wi-Fi, and some have microwaves and Nespresso machines.

Suites feature sofa beds, and some boast dining areas. Some bathrooms are a bit snug, but they're streamline, and have hairdryers, make-up mirrors, and tea-scented bath products. Showers are encased in transparent glass stalls that are visible to the bedroom area, so an exterior curtain is provided for privacy. Suites add bathtubs, some of which are jetted. Rooms start at 248 square feet, and smoking rooms are available.

The Lodgewood has limited on-site facilities, but excels in the services it provides. A Cantonese hot pot restaurant, open for dinner only, is its top feature, which offers a variety of soup bases and sauces, meats, and seafood. Signature dishes include dumplings, lobster hot pot, braised fish head with Chinese herbs, and Korean-style short rib soup. There's also an extensive menu of herbal teas, international beers, and sakes, and room service is available. However, the hotel doesn't have an on-site eatery that serves breakfast or lunch, or a fitness center. There's a 24-hour front desk, and the lobby has free freshly brewed coffee 24/7, several Mac desktops, and an electronic kiosk with tourist information. Other amenities include meeting rooms, a coin-op laundry room, and limo airport transfer (for a fee). A downloadable smartphone app lets guests access a hotel service directory. There's a Tesla charging station, and valet parking is available for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout.