The Jervois – Full Floor Designer Suite Hotel

During our 2018 trip to Hong Kong, the National Hotels Collection proved one of our favorite finds. Within that portfolio, The Jervois is a simple, refined property that's a great choice for travelers who want higher-end style at manageable rates -- by Hong Kong standards, at least. Despite those relatively low rates, the hotel manages to retain an exclusive vibe, attested to by the many corporate clients and luxury fashion houses that call The Jervois home when they're in town. There isn't much to the hotel aside from its rooms -- which are the star of the show. Each occupies half of a floor or a full floor, and has its own private foyer entrance directly from the elevators, adding to the exclusive vibe. There's no social scene of which to speak, and common space is limited to a rooftop terrace with vertigo-inducing views that stretch north to Victoria Harbor. Expect to see a mix of well-heeled families, business travelers, and couples at The Jervois. 

If you ask us, Sheung Wan is the neighborhood to visit when it comes to cool Hong Kong districts. The Jervois has one of the best spots in the neighborhood, and the hotel provides a curated map of the area that's updated every month. There are literally countless spots to grab a Western-friendly or Cantonese bite just outside the hotel's front door, as well as tons of art galleries. You can also scope remnants of the city's mercantile past still on display at the photogenic Dried Seafood Street Market. The city's oldest and possibly most atmospheric temple, Man Mo, is also nearby -- less than a five-minute walk up some steps, passing antique-packed Hollywood Road along the way. For more contemporary indulgences, PMQ -- a trendy designer hub -- is eight minutes away on foot, next to all of the trendy dining spots, wine bars, and pubs of Soho. The Central-Mid-Levels Escalators are a 10-minute walk away, near the massive malls and nightlife of Central. Lan Kwai Fong -- Hong Kong's nightlife hub -- takes around 15 minutes to reach on foot. The Sheung Wan MTR station is less than five minutes away on foot, for connections to Tsim Sha Tsui or Causeway Bay that take around 15 to 20 minutes all in. Reaching the airport takes about 40 minutes by using the MTR and Airport Express train from Hong Kong Station.

Rooms at The Jervois are hard to fault. While they aren't as large as most of those found at sister property The Putman, you're still getting a lot more square footage for the price here than at other upscale Hong Kong properties. Every unit has one or two bedrooms, with the latter found on the hotel's top floors. Views from most rooms are cool and hyper-urban, though floors 20 and higher really benefit from that only-in-Hong-Kong vertigo effect. The highest floors also have views to Victoria Harbor or the mountains of Hong Kong Island. 

The style feels lifted out of a West Elm catalogue, with funky artistic twists, including built-in shelving lined with black-and-white cityscape imagery and art books. Two-bedroom units are outfitted with eye-catching figural line drawings that are especially appealing. Expect lots of neutral tones, like taupe and gray, alongside hardwood details. 

Features are high-end, and include Nespresso machines, Frette linens, individually controlled air-conditioning (in each room of the suites), Handy Phones (which function as Wi-Fi hotspots when you're out and about), minibars, 40-inch flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Storage is not an issue here, with bathrobes, ironing facilities, and umbrellas all found in the wall-size closets. Bathrooms are particularly handsome, clad in dramatic floor-to-ceiling marble. Premium bath products are provided, and walk-in rainfall showers are done up in marble as well. 

Features aren't too numerous here, as the hotel is aiming at a self-sufficient demographic that prizes location and style over on-site extras. That being said, you will find a simple fitness room with enough cardio and weight equipment to get a complete, if basic, workout. Water and towels are provided. There's also a laundry room that's free to use for all guests. Washing powder, washing machines, and dryers are provided. A rooftop terrace is landscaped and has lawn furniture for travelers who want to enjoy their city views alfresco. The front desk is staffed 24 hours a day, and acts as the concierge for guests. Discounted breakfasts are available at a cafe around the corner, which serves meals all day as well, but there are no on-site dining or drinking options. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.