The Royal Garden

Opened in 1981, the soaring central atrium and its garden atmosphere remain at the heart of this frequently renovated hotel. Filled with leafy terraced balconies, the space is expansive, with glass elevators rising up from the marbled ground-floor lounges and restaurants. Escalators zig-zag between the lower floors, and almost all of the public areas of the hotel gleam in polished travertine marble. The ambience, though, could be compared to an upscale shopping mall -- indeed, there are two levels of shops within the building -- and the sheer size can feel a bit impersonal, but from the rooftop pool to the lobby the hotel exudes a distinctly high-end vibe. Most guests here are business travelers, though plenty of traveling couples pass through as well. 

Located in the East Tsim Sha Tsui neighborhood in Kowloon, the hotel is near a few parks and within walking distance of major attractions, including the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Avenue of Stars (Hong Kong's answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame). Nearby transportation options include the Cross Harbour Tunnel and the East Tsim Sha Tsui Metro station, which is an eight-minute walk away. Nathan Road's dining and shopping in the heart of Kowloon is about 10 minutes away on foot. Hong Kong International Airport is about a half-hour drive to the west.

The hotel's 417 contemporary rooms and suites have high-end Frette brand linens, warm decor with light-wood furnishings, contemporary artwork, and circle-patterned carpets that create a slightly busy visual effect. Superior Rooms, the smallest on the property, start at 31 square meters (334 square feet), while the Penthouse Suite includes 110 square meters (1184 square feet) of space to stretch out. There's plenty of shimmer throughout, in throw pillows and bed runners, and abstract wall art hangs over white duvet-covered beds. Rooms have a wall of windows covered with taupe curtains, and woven-metallic headboards make an eye-catching statement. Work desks with roller chairs, 40-inch flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and minibars come standard. The bathrooms have large walk-in rainfall showers. Crown Club Rooms cater to business travelers and include extras such as a dedicated concierge and free Wi-Fi (otherwise available for a fee). Guests of these rooms also get free breakfast in the club lounge or in the Greenery, where the hotel's main breakfast buffet is served (not included in standard rates). Turndown service is included free of charge.

The hotel has a Roman-style, 25-meter, heated rooftop pool and a sundeck with panoramic views of Victoria Harbour. There's also a 24-hour fitness center, and massages can be arranged, though there is no proper spa. Two floors of shops within the hotel do give it's lower levels a mall-like feel, but provide plenty of chances for well-heeled guests to drop even more cash. The real attractions here are the numerous excellent dining options, including Dong Lai Shun, a Beijing-style restaurant that was awarded a Michelin star in 2013. Sabatini Ristorante Italiano -- a sister restaurant of the original that opened in Rome in 1954 -- serves fine-dining Italian cuisine, while the Inagiku Grande Japanese restaurant specializes in tempura. There's also a Cantonese restaurant, a fusion Vietnamese eatery, and a French patisserie. An international buffet breakfast is served at The Greenery, though it's not included with most room rates. Business facilities include a business center with shipping and translation services, as well as 16 meeting rooms, some of which can be joined into single banquet halls that accommodate up to 250 guests. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, but it's not included in most room rates. Free private car services can be arranged.