Regal Riverside Hotel

The Regal Riverside Hotel is situated in a 17-story high-rise building, which is nondescript except at night when it’s lit with stripes of rainbow-colored lights. The cavernous lobby features stylish, if somewhat sterile, decor with a marbled floor, neutral colors, small seating areas, and a long reception desk with an impressive backdrop of string lights creating a waterfall effect from several stories up. From the pool to the fitness center and spa to the 10 on-site restaurants and bars, this huge hotel offers plenty of places for guests to explore, though the spaces throughout feel generic and lack character. And while the hotel is well-maintained, it has begun to show some signs of wear and tear. Far from downtown Hong Kong’s tourist and business centers, the hotel is ideal for those who have a reason to be in the Sha Tin area, perhaps for a conference or a race at the nearby Sha Tin Racecourse.

The Regal Riverside Hotel is situated on an active main road overlooking the Shing Mum River in the largely residential area of Hong Kong’s Sha Tin area. Just north of Kowloon and north of Hong Kong Island, Sha Tin certainly isn’t one of Hong Kong’s main attractions, and guests usually need to have a good reason to choose this particular hotel, as it is less than ideal for the typical tourist or business traveler who wants to be downtown. Still, guests can get downtown in about 45 minutes via the train, a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The hotel is also only a five-minute drive from the popular Ten Thousand Buddha and a six-minute drive from Sha Tin Racecourse. A large shopping complex and restaurants are also within walking distance. For those traveling by car, the hotel offers on-site parking (for a fee). The hotel also has scheduled shuttle-bus service to and from Hong Kong International Airport, Disneyland, and Tsim Sha Tsui East for an extra fee.

• One-minute walk to nearest bus station
• 11-minute walk to Sha Tin Wai station
• 15-minute walk to New Town Shopping Plaza (shopping complex)
• Three-minute drive to Hong Kong Heritage Museum (20-minute walk)
• Five-minute drive to Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (20-minute walk)
• Six-minute drive to Sha Tin Racecourse
• 30-minute drive to Hong Kong International Airport
• 45 minutes to Victoria Harbor via public transportation (25-minute drive)
• One hour to The Peak Tram via public transportation
• One hour and 10 minutes to Causeway Bay via public transportation
• Two hours to Hong Kong Disneyland via public transport (30-minute drive)

The Regal Riverside offers a wide range of room sizes, including ones that can accommodate families or groups, such as rooms with four single beds. Compared to hotels in downtown Hong Kong, the rooms at Riverside are downright spacious. Rooms are built for function, though, and the decor is simple and generic: patterned wall-to-wall carpeting meets plain white walls and white bedding while a few small abstract paintings hang above the beds. Higher room categories offer a little more interest and might have modern cup chairs, tufted sofas, or glass furniture accents. Bathrooms are similarly generic with beige-tiled walls, white fixtures, and shower/tub combos. While guests tend to find the rooms comfortable and quiet, some complain that they feel dated. Many of the rooms offer good views, especially rooms on higher up floors that overlook the Shing Mun River. Rooms are outfitted with small desks and wardrobes, flat-screen TVs with cable, electric kettles, safety deposit boxes, mini-fridges, hairdryers, individual toiletries, and free bottled water. Air-conditioning is also standard, and free Wi-Fi is offered for up to four devices. Some guests complain about an extra fee tacked on for early check-in.

Downtown Hong Kong may not be nearby, but this mega-hotel is a mini-city in itself with eight restaurants, two bars, an 8,000 square-foot fitness center, a spa, a seasonal outdoor pool with lounge chairs, and 14 event rooms. The hotel’s eight restaurants serve everything from pizza to Cantonese food, an Asian Afternoon Tea Buffet to poolside barbecue, while the Scene Bar has a moody, club-like atmosphere and nightly live music. Breakfast is available, but it isn't included with the room rate. The hotel’s 14 event rooms can be used for conferences, cocktail parties, or weddings, and the largest venues can host up to 600 people at once. A few terraces serve as outdoor gardens and backdrops for wedding photos.

Cupped in an open courtyard in the middle of the hotel, the spacious outdoor pool, open from mid-April through November, is well-maintained and surrounded by potted plants, palm trees, and flower boxes, and features wicker lounge chairs and patio tables for guests to relax. The spa has somewhat strange sea-themed decor with iridescent green padded seating, but offers a range of services in seven treatment rooms, such as massages and facials. The hotel also has a sauna, a steam room, and a hot tub, as well as an Executive Club Lounge, business center, gift shop, and children’s play areas.

There's a concierge on hand, and the hotel can arrange dry cleaning and laundry, babysitting, car rentals, business and secretarial services, and even mail delivery. Parking and shuttle service to the airport and downtown are available for an extra fee. And free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.