The Pottinger Hong Kong

The Pottinger is one of the most popular boutique hotels on Hong Kong Island, and manages to feel exclusive and unpretentious at the same time. While it aims for luxury status, a lack of extras like a pool or spa do make this a proper upscale option in the end. However, you will find two-star Michelin dining on-site, and the style throughout the property is hard to fault. Compared to the hyper-buzzing streets found all around, the vibe inside is more akin to a tea garden. You'll find whimsical egg chairs, iconic Hong Kong photographs by Fan Ho, floral-inspired details, and an abundance of soothing beige and soft green tones. The dining and drinking scene here are what help make this a stand-out property, and you'll spot a constant stream of tourists, ex-pats, and locals visiting the hotel's three restaurants. In the end, The Pottinger feels refined and makes for a convincing escape from the hectic city outside. You'll see couples and solo travelers on holiday here, as well as a fair share of business guests.

This hotel's setting is easily one of its strongest suits, with a prime location just a block from the Central-Mid-Levels Escalators. That puts it at the heart of the Central neighborhood, with countless shops, boutiques, malls, restaurants, bars, and cafes in every direction. Stone Slabs Street -- one of the most photogenic market streets in Hong Kong -- is next to the hotel, and you'll find the original Lan Fong Yuen teahouse just a two-minute walk away. Lan Kwai Fong, the hub of Hong Kong's nightlife, is five minutes away on foot, while some of Hong Kong's most famous galleries, including White Cube, Perrotin, and Edouard Malingue, are all within a 10-minute walk. It will take only five minutes to reach an entrance to the Central MTR station on foot, with easy links to Tsim Sha Tsui in just two stops. Hong Kong Station, for the Airport Express, is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Trips to the airport from there will take about 35 minutes. A taxi ride to the airport runs anywhere from 30 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic. 

Rooms here continue the tranquil garden-inspired ethos found in the hotel's common areas. The look draws heavily on classic Hong Kong design details, and you'll see over-bed silk panels, geometric-pattern screens, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Touches of soft pink offset the abundance of beige hues, and dramatic marble surfaces pull everything together with an upscale vibe. That continues in the bathrooms, where marble is used more generously,  alongside premium bath products, and rainfall showerheads. Higher-floor units will, of course, have better views of the cityscape all around, but overall the hotel is hemmed in by taller surrounding buildings. Floor plans are compact, but not small by Hong Kong standards. Standard features include Nespresso machines, electric kettles, Handy Phones for wireless connectivity throughout the city, minibars, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. Suites come with gorgeous sitting areas and pantries, but the lack of extras like Bose soundsystems is surprising for a hotel that aims at luxury status. 

Let's get this much out of the way: The Pottinger lacks the typical features found in Hong Kong luxury hotels -- you won't find a spa, gym, or pool on-site. Free passes to a nearby gym are available, helping to mitigate that lack, but what sets this property apart is its dining scene. The hotel is home to excellent destination restaurants, including a popular Italian spot -- Gradini -- and a chic lounge that serves well-liked afternoon tea and evening drinks. Its crown jewel, while not directly owned by The Pottinger, is two-Michelin-starred Ta Vie, which is found on-site as well. Reservations are recommended, and the fine-dining venue offers inventive Asian fare at equally elevated prices. Room service is provided by Gradini, and breakfast is available at that restaurant as well, but not included in all bookings. Airport transfers can be arranged, and the concierge is staffed around the clock. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.