Luxury hotel with a killer view – InterContinental Hong Kong

We recently returned to Hong Kong for a weekend trip and we also returned to the InterContinental Hotel Hong Kong. It sits in an enviable spot with stunning harbor views, offers great rooms and service and is even available with IHG Rewards points, making it a great deal in an expensive city!

Location: The InterContinental is in a great location, on the Kowloon waterfront with stunning views of Hong Kong island across the harbor. You can reach it from the airport train station via the free shuttle bus and the subway entrance is right in front of the hotel, connecting you conveniently to anywhere in Hong Kong! If you are not a public transport fan, there are taxis available in front all day and the hotel offers its own car transport as well!
Unfortunately, there are two major construction projects on either side of the hotel. While we didn’t hear anything from our well insulated room, you’ll hear and see it at the pool.

HKG IC Bar View pService: The service is excellent and up to the service level you’d expect from a luxury property. In fact, we felt it had improved on our most recent trip: The front desk was very welcoming, checked us in quickly and escorted us to our room. They recognized my IHG Platinum status and offered a welcome drink at the bar. We stayed on points and an upgrade to a harbor front room was not in the cards. The staff at the lobby bar and the pool was equally friendly, well trained and professional and we didn’t spot any “slip ups” during our stay. Housekeeping was thorough and invisible during our stay, adding to the overall pleasant experience.
It was refreshing to see that the InterContinental Hong Kong has stepped up its game and improved its service. While it has always been professional, the team added a degree of friendliness and warmth to the service that makes it a pleasure to return!

HKG IC Live1Room: Our standard room was very large, with a separate desk area and bedroom – many hotels would call this a “junior suite”! The bathroom was equally large, with a separate tub and shower, a large vanity area and a separate toilet closet. Bathrobes and standard InterConti amenities were provided. There is also a walk in closet, so you can bring as much luggage as you like! In addition to the TV, safe and coffee facilities you’d expect, there is a nice sound system with connection for your own gadgets. My favorite feature was the available smartphone with unlimited data and even phone calls to the US in the room! Given the crazy data charges many networks charge while roaming, it’s a very nice touch and money saver. It was easy to use, worked perfectly and made our weekend trip more convenient! The room is held in dark wood and brown tones with the bath room in red-brown marble – I’d call that contemporary luxury, neither stylish nor offensive, a safe choice without being dull! I also liked the incense used in the hallways and room, offering a pleasant scent from the moment you enter.

HKG IC Bath cAmenities/Restaurant: I usually avoid hotel bars – they are mostly very sad affairs! InterContinental’s bar on the other hand I’d recommend even if you are not staying at the hotel. With floor-to-ceiling windows to the harbor and overlooking Hong Kong island, it’s a great place for drinks or snacks. I could sit there day and night and enjoy the stunning views – if it wasn’t for the equally stunning prices. Two glasses of champagne and a cold platter can run you over $100, so make sure the prices are in line with your budget, before you order. The food, drinks and service are all good and together with the views, make it worth the visit!

HKG IC Bar FoodThe InterContinental has a full-size gym for a full workout. You’ll find it on the pool level, with one room for cardio equipment and one for weights and weight machines. If you have a more leisurely day in mind, there are a full spa with numerous treatments, wellness area and even personal trainer and classes on offer.
The outdoor pool is pretty large with comfortable loungers arranged around it. Staff was quick to provide towels, cold towels and water. Unfortunately, the construction on both sides leaves you with a view of the construction and jackhammering as the backdrop – that’s not the kind of environment I’d expect from a luxury hotel. There is nothing the hotel can do about it, so if you want to relax by the pool, you should check into a different luxury hotel while the construction is ongoing!

Conclusion: The InterContinental Hong Kong has a great location, with stunning views from the bar and some of the rooms, great service and upscale rooms. We used two free night certificates for our stay – the regular price was $350 during our stay or 50,000 IHG Rewards Points. That’s expensive, but I’d consider it good value for Hong Kong. If it’s your first time to Hong Kong, you might want to pay up for the harbor view, one of the few places where it is worth it! The construction can be bothersome and if you plan on using the pool, a deal breaker. I’m sure to be back in the future, although I might try somewhere new while the construction is ongoing.


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