The Kowloon Hotel

The Kowloon Hotel is situated on bustling Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, housed in an 18-story building with a glass facade. The interiors are well-maintained, well-furnished, and modern, but the overall look isn't as fresh or as chic as some other hotels in the neighborhood. The lobby, which has a shiny, textured glass ceiling, and the cafe, with huge windows overlooking Nathan Road, are among the more attractive public spaces. Given the hotel's size, it gets a fair number of tour groups, and common areas can become crowded and hectic. The hotel mostly draws leisure travelers seeking a stay with a prime central location.

The Kowloon Hotel is in an outstanding central location in the Tsim Sha Tsui on Nathan Road, the main north-south thoroughfare that runs through Kowloon. There are numerous high-end shops here, and on Canton Road, which is about four minutes on foot. The Kowloon Hotel–Nathan Road bus stop is outside the hotel, and Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station is directly connected to the hotel's lower level, about a two-minute walk away. The Hong Kong Space Museum and Hong Kong Cultural Centre are both within a three-minute walk. The Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Clock Tower, Kowloon Visitor Center, and the Star Ferry on Victoria Harbour are all about five minutes on foot from the hotel. Hong Kong International Airport is about 25 minutes by car, or guests can take the free city shuttle (there's a stop outside the hotel) to Kowloon Station, and then take a 40-minute Airport Express ride to the airport. 

Guest rooms at The Kowloon Hotel are sleek, with high-quality furniture and luxurious fabrics, but they're missing accents that capture the eye's attention, which makes them feel a little uninspired. Still, they're warm and inviting, with natural light pouring in through floor-to-ceiling windows, flat-screen TVs set into mirrored panels spanning walls, and beds that have tall, dramatic headboards. All units have desks with ergonomic chairs, electric kettles for instant coffee and tea, slippers, and safes, and some offer partial views of Victoria Harbour. However, they don't all have minibars, and Wi-Fi -- which some guests say can be spotty -- isn't included in all rates. Bathrooms have design-forward basin sinks set into marble vanities, hairdryers, showers, and some have bathtubs and/or bathrobes. The Executive rooms feature living rooms, and Harbour Club rooms on the upper floors come with a ton of freebies, including a breakfast buffet, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails and appetizers, plus ironing service and shoeshines.Rooms range from 215 to 517 square feet, and while they aren't particularly small by Hong Kong standards, they're somewhat awkwardly configured and have little floor space. Smoking rooms are available. 

The Kowloon Hotel falls short on amenities for a property of its size, and there are fees attached to much of what's offered. That said, there are several drinking and dining options on-site. The hotel's main restaurant serves dim sum and traditional Chinese cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood, and dishes such as braised chicken with black pepper are on the menu. The stylish cocktail bar has afternoon tea, and there's a cafe that offers international fare. A breakfast buffet with hot and cold items of good quality and variety is available for a fee.There's no fitness center -- perhaps the property's biggest drawback in terms of features -- but The Kowloon has a  concierge, a 24-hour business center with multiple desktop computers, and meeting rooms. Wi-Fi isn't included in all rates, and there's a fee for on-site valet parking. In-room massage and beauty treatments can be booked for an extra charge, and there's a shopping arcade at the base of the hotel.