Mira Moon Hotel

Housed in a sleek 31-floor tower on a narrow footprint, the Mira Moon stands out in ultra-urban Hong Kong for its sense of history and whimsy. The interiors were inspired by a Chinese fable about the Moon Goddess and her Jade Rabbit, and decor is a mix of funky and modern Western elements. The dramatic public spaces and rooms feature bright red modernist tulip-shaped chairs, black-and-white lacquer screens, blue Ming-style ceramic urns, huge Chinese lanterns, and all manner of floral accents. The on-site tapas restaurant is particularly inviting, with its dark-wood paneled walls, black chandeliers, and garden terrace with candles and white sculptures. The garden has the feel of a haven from the hustle and bustle of the city and there's a sleek champagne bar offering views of Victoria Harbour. The hotel draws fashionable and well-traveled tourists -- who appreciate the stylish, sensual design and tech-savvy rooms -- and business travelers who benefit from the hotel's proximity to the convention center. 

Mira Moon Hotel is located on the north end of Hong Kong Island in the Causeway Bay/Wan Chai area. Wan Chai is a busy commercial district with office towers, hotels, shops, street-food stands, and high-end dining. It's also known as the "red light district" of Hong Kong, and exciting nightlife on Lockhart Road is about a five-minute walk from the hotel. Causeway Bay is the city's premier shopping area, and is less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel. There's a bus station a block away, while the Causeway Bay MTR station is an eight-minute stroll from the hotel. Wan Chai Pier and the Star Ferry are a 10-minute walk, and the western edge of Victoria Park is a 12-minute walk. The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is a 15-minute walk from the hotel, a trip that takes five minutes by taxi. It's a 30-minute metro trip to Tsim Sha Tsui, a neighborhood that includes the Avenue of Stars, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Kowloon Park, and the Hong Kong Science Museum. Hong Kong International Airport is half an hour away by car or an hour by bus and metro.

All 91 rooms at Mira Moon are nonsmoking, and they are spread out across the 31-floor building, with only four rooms per floor. Rooms are richly decorated and combine classic Chinese and contemporary Western motifs in elements like bright-red headboards, traditional latticework walls, orange floral print carpets, dark-wood paneling, and wall murals. All units come with desks, safes, 32-inch or 46-inch flat-screen TVs with international cable channels and pay movies, multimedia connectivity panels, and stereo speakers that guests can connect to their MP3 players or phones. Guests also get free use of cellphones and tablets with customized apps that can be used throughout the city at Wi-Fi hotspots. Many rooms have some combination of floor-to-ceiling windows, Victoria Harbour views, Nespresso coffee machines, traditional Chinese tea, and minibars with free snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. The Moonshine Suite has a circular lounge area and private cocktail bar. The marble bathrooms are clean, well-lit, and spacious, with ample counter space around the sink. All come with premium bath products, bathrobes, slippers, and rainfall showers; some also have separate soaking tubs.

While the Mira Moon lacks a pool and a spa, it does have a 24-hour fitness center with cardio machines, free weights, cable machines, and exercise balls. It's far nicer than many fitness rooms, though compact, and gets good natural light. The hotel's Secret Garden restaurant serves a good breakfast buffet with cooked-to-order eggs, cold meats, cereals, breads, yogurt, fruit, coffee, and juice. Unfortunately, breakfast is not included in room rates. A three-course lunch is available and dinner features authentic Spanish tapas paired with cocktails inspired by Chinese mythology. Outdoor garden seating is available in good weather and room service is available. Offering views of Victoria Harbour, the elegant Champagne Bar features premium champagne poured by servers wearing cheongsam (one-piece Chinese dresses). The hotel also has a business center, free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk, a dedicated concierge, and baggage assistance. There's no on-site parking, and nearby public parking is expensive.