Travel

Hong Kong Hotels With a Harbour View

See Victoria Harbour from Your Hotel Window

By Rory Boland, About.com Guide

If you read the brochures, nearly every hotel in Hong Kong boasts a Harbour View. In reality many properties slap harbour view on their promotional literature even if the only way you would catch a glimpse of water is standing on a box in the bathroom. Many visitors to Hong Kong hotels arrive expecting a harbour view room only to find they’ve got the bricks of a back alley to stare at for two weeks.

The five hotels below all have bonafide harbour view rooms, but they will also have non harbour facing rooms on the rear side of their building. You should make it clear on booking that you want a harbour facing room.

1. The Intercontinental

Courtesy of The Intercontinental Hong Kong

One of Hong Kong’s premium properties, the Intercontinental is perched on the Kowloon waterfront and offers unbeatable views over the harbour and onto Hong Kong’s iconic skyline. Also making good use of the jaw dropping backdrop are the hotel restaurants, which include the award winning NoBu and Spoon, as well as Lobby Lounge, which may have the best view in the city. Book the Terrace corner suite to enjoy a Jacuzzi overlooking the harbour.

Where: Kowloon - Tsim Sha Tsui
Address: 18 Sailsbury Road
Tel: 2920 2888
Price: Check rates now

2. The Four Seasons

Courtesy of Four Seasons Hong Kong

The views here are not quite as impressive as the Intercontinental, as the hotel is on Hong Kong Island rather than facing it, but The Four Seasons is nevertheless as close to the water’s edge as you can get without falling in. Meeting place for movers, shakers, sheiks and stars, the Four Seasons Hong Kong has consistently been hailed as a leader in luxury and the facilities and amenities on offer here are second to none. The drawback; you’ll need a generous benefactor to sponsor any stay here - room rates are as breathtaking as the view.

Where: Hong Kong Island - Central
Address: 8 Finance Street
Tel: 2920 2888
Price: Check rates now

3. Renaissance Harbour View

Courtesy of the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel Hong Kong

Set out on a small peninsula created to house the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Renaissance Harbour View boasts a slew of rooms with breathtaking views of the harbor. More competitively priced than some of its flashier competitors, the Renaissance Harbor View hasn’t skimped on any of the extras and the hotel is stacked with all the amenities you’d expect from a five star, and some that you wouldn’t, such as a driving range.

Where: Hong Kong Island - Wan Chai
Address: 1 Harbour Road
Tel: 2920 2888
Price: Check rates now

4. The Salisbury YMCA

Courtesy of the Salisbury YMCA Hong Kong

Proving a harbour view needn’t equal an empty wallet, the views from the Salisbury YMCA may not be the very best in the city (the water lies across a busy road) but you’ll get a good slice of sea for a small slice of money. Unfortunately, potential guests are often put off by the four letters hanging above the door, imagining scout groups camped out amongst bunk bed dormitories. In fact the Salisbury YMCA is one of Hong Kong’s best kept secrets, with basic, but modern, ensuite rooms that boast satellite TV, internet and aircon. There is also a rooftop pool and gym facilities onsite.

Where: Kowloon - Tsim Sha Tsui
Address: 41 Salisbury Road
Tel: 2920 2888
Price: Check rates now

5. Marco Polo

Courtesy of the Marco Polo Hotel Hong Kong

An absolute behemoth of building that is split into three separate but jointly managed hotels; the pick of the bunch is the upmarket Marco Polo, which offers cracking views over the harbour and onto the famed Hong Kong skyline. Rooms are well appointed and fitted with all the modern business traveler could need, from a mini-bar to a trouser press, and you’ll find the usual line up of gym, spa, swimming pool onsite Do be warned, this is where the increasing number of cruise ships that drop in on Hong Kong dump their passengers, so don’t be surprised to find the Titanic parked outside your window when you throw back the curtains.