Housed in a glittering tower on Wan Chai’s waterfront, The St. Regis Hong Kong opened in April 2019 as Marriott’s 7,000th property around the world, its multi-faceted front looming over the crisscross of pedestrian footbridges.

Interiors were designed and curated by the renowned designer André Fu, whose local works include The Upper House and Kerry Hotel. With design cues inspired by the brand's original New York property as well as Fu’s childhood memories of growing up in Hong Kong, the result was a seamless combination of classic luxury and modern sophistication that not only embodied the quintessential timelessness of the St. Regis brand but also bore the hallmark details of local culture.

Its street-level entrance is relatively discreet for a luxury hotel— dark stone-clad walls, colonial columns similar to the old Wan Chai police station, and a marble reception. Sconces reminiscent of old gas lamps impart a soft glow, the faint burble of a waterfall in the background. Yet once you step beyond the oversized bronze doors by Solomon and Vu, the traffic and commotion of Gloucester Road melt away, transporting you to a mansion shrouded in mystery.

The hotel’s lobby, aptly named The Great Room, is on the second floor. Stepping out from the lift lobby is a theatrical experience as the eye struggles to take in everything in all its splendour: expansive windows flooding the space with light, brushed bronze screens stretching up to the soaring 8-metre-high ceiling, inspired by traditional Hong Kong window frames; and the bespoke chandelier named The Skyline in tribute to the city’s glittery cityscape, designed by Fu and handblown by Czech glass specialist Lasvit. The vintage-style gas lamps are a nod to Duddell Street, the panelling work inspired by colonial mansions.

Equally stylish is the palette of greys used, dotted with lush foliage, and provides a distinctive backdrop for more intricate details. In tandem, nuances of both colour and texture make for one of the most compelling spaces in Hong Kong’s luxury hotels, especially when bathed in warm natural light. The space certainly lives up to its name without being tacky or overly flaunting.

The same level also houses other dining outlets such as the Drawing Room, the Terrace and the St. Regis Bar. Another hallmark of the St. Regis brand is the spiral staircase that leads up from the lobby to the French restaurant L’Envol.

Butler Service & Guestrooms

The St. Regis Butler Service was first introduced by the brand’s founder, John Jacob Astor IV, who brought his own butlers to serve at the original New York property and has since remained a bespoke service for over a century.

All guests enjoy in-room check-in and round-the-clock butler services at The St. Regis Hong Kong. The experience begins even before you arrive at the hotel, with a dedicated butler reaching out to address any needs. Guests can also contact the butler via the Marriott mobile application or a dedicated line during their stay. Our check-in was completed at the reception desk before being whisked to our rooms due to the ongoing pandemic.

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With 129 spacious guestrooms offered, guests seeking a panoramic view of Victoria Harbour may opt for higher-level suites, as only city and partial harbour views are available on their lower counterparts.

The colour palette of guestrooms follows The Great Room, featuring alabaster paired with warm greys and rich hues of taupe and mauve. In addition, a combination of plush textiles and deep purple-veined marble used in both countertops and the bathroom instils a sense of serenity juxtaposed against the bustling view of Wan Chai below. Other cultural influences in the guestrooms include lantern-style pendant lights, Chinese ceramics and headboards inspired by traditional shutters.

Decor aside, honestly, I had such a good night’s sleep. I’ve found that hotel mattresses and down pillows tend to be too soft for my liking, but this was just right – I felt like Goldilocks sinking into it. The brand stocks its own line of beds (yes, the entire bed) and mattresses designed by Simmons and other linen products, exclusively sold on their online boutique store.

Dining

The St. Regis Bar

Nestled within The Drawing Room, The St. Regis Bar is a rich amalgam of olive tones and buttery leather accents that create cosy, exclusive vibes. Upon entering, the focal point is a vibrant and playful mural behind the bar table, hand-painted by Beijing artist Zhang Gong. A nod to Maxfield Parrish’s mural in New York’s King Cole Bar and Restaurant, the mural depicts Hong Kong’s iconic features such as the Star Ferry, junks and dragon boats set against the Victoria Harbour; famous structures in Wan Chai, where the hotel is located.

Looking closely, you might notice a discreet Pepsi logo looking a little out of place among the hand-scripted signboards. A lesser-known fact is how the companies first began a partnership. When Marriott Group struggled financially in 1991, Coca-Cola rejected their request for a marketing allowance below market interest rates. Pepsi stepped in to lend a hand (pun intended). Since then, their collaboration has expanded to Marriott’s global portfolio of properties, explaining why Coke is not served at The St. Regis franchise.

Drawing from the brand’s storied history, the bar serves signature cocktails inspired by New York’s subway and Hong Kong’s trams alongside a selection of bar bites. Many travel here for a sip of the iconic Bloody Mary created in 1934 by bartender Fernand Petiot of King Cole Bar and Restaurant, which was subsequently renamed the “Red Snapper” in case the clientele took offence. Each property under the brand reimagines the classic drink into its rendition by incorporating local infusions.

Hong Kong’s take is the Canto Mary—the name derived from Canto-pop. Local ingredients include dried tangerine peels, Kowloon soy sauce and Chinese five-spice mix, alluding to the spice traders who frequented Wan Chai’s coastline. You can even customise your tomato juice base: red for spiced and smokey notes, yellow for sweet, and green for a lighter taste with a hint of sourness. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the original red, but my heat tolerance is remarkably low, so who am I to say.

The bar also introduced a cocktail takeaway menu for signature drinks, available for ordering online with pick-up at The St. Regis Bar. Perfect for those looking to amp up picnics!

The Drawing Room

Our stay included a complimentary 3-course meal at the Drawing Room, famed for its afternoon teas amongst the international cuisine offered.

Sectioned off from The Great Room, stately furniture is arranged in intimate settings, offering a relaxed atmosphere without compromising privacy. Guests can dine al-fresco on the open-air Astor Terrace, which features a moon gate and centrepiece with running water. The location offers an impressive view of the Wan Chai commercial area that never sleeps.

The most iconic is the sabrage held at 5:30 PM daily as part of evening rituals. Believed to date back to the French Revolution, Napoleon famously performed the same in times of both victory and defeat: "Champagne: in victory, one deserves it; in defeat, one needs it."

“Champagne: in victory, one deserves it; in defeat, one needs it.”

— Napoleon Bonaparte

Rùn (潤)

Breakfast was served semi-buffet style at Rùn. The Michelin one-starred restaurant is led by renowned chef Hung Chi-Kwong, specialising in Cantonese fare with a contemporary twist. Interiors echo that of The Great Room with additions inspired by traditional tea pavilions: symmetrical structures, bonsai and cinnabar red lacquer accents.

For the main course, I opted for Chinese breakfast which made for a hearty start to the day:

Abalone and chicken congee (or scallop congee with conpoy)
Side servings of peanuts, spring onion, crispy fritter and X.O. chilli sauce
Steamed dim sum tower of mini glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaf, pork and shrimp dumplings, steam shrimp dumpling and a deep-fried lobster spring roll with black truffle

Personally, I prefer my abalone and chicken to be sliced thinly so they melt into the congee, but I suppose it makes up for presentation and the lobster spring roll was impressive, to say the least. If you’re not up for Chinese food, menu options also include Continental and American breakfasts.

The rest of the breakfast spread includes a myriad of breads, juices, cold cuts and cheeses available for self-service. My favourites include the stunning variety of yoghurts by Jean-Yves Bordier (Brittany whole milk!) and a mini jam tree featuring miniature pots of preserves and confitures by Andresy.

Thoughts

There’s no shortage of luxury hotels in Hong Kong, especially around the CBD stretch between Central and Wan Chai. But it’s not every day you come across one that revels in its own heritage and culture to such a degree (for a good reason too) that it becomes part of the immersive experience offered.

The St. Regis Hong Kong is testimony that luxe is not necessarily a cousin of tacky, especially when it comes to Asian stereotypes of flaunting wealth. The property goes on to redefine what contemporary refinement and bespoke services can look like by bringing its legacies and signature rituals to Hong Kong, and makes you wonder why more luxury properties haven’t taken a similar modern approach when rejuvenating their establishments. Experiencing the brand’s fabled services in person was truly a delight and I look forward to staying at more of their properties in global destinations.

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