Whether your clients are flying into Hong Kong to hear the latest Canto-pop sensation or putting the finishing touches on an international deal, they’ll soon learn that Hong Kong is all about the view. While Hong Kong’s finest hotels vie with each other to provide superlative service in a high-style setting, they also compete to find ways to showcase stunning views of Victoria Harbour and the dynamic cityscape.

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Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong's luminous skyline back the InterContinental Hong Kong.

The Peninsula Hong Kong is the oldest hotel in Hong Kong. This 81-year-old gem sports a series of Deluxe and Grand Deluxe Harbour View Suites featuring floor-to-ceiling glass walls on two sides to bring the full effect of the views front-and-center. Travelers with romance on their minds will be pleasantly surprised by the bathroom’s Jacuzzi, which also provides views of the twinkling cityscape.

Tip: Take real advantage of the views by peering through telescopes—handmade in Bombay for the hotel—in the bedrooms of the Deluxe and Grand Deluxe Harbour View Suites. These rooms are located in the hotel’s new tower, with room numbers ending in 07, 15 and 16.

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The Peninsula Hong Kong's Grand Deluxe Harbour View Rom is perfect for catching the city's nightly laser show.

The Peninsula Suite is over-the-top, literally, since it commands a prime spot on the 26th floor. The balcony gives a tough-to-beat view of Victoria Harbour. Stepping inside, the suite has a master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom that connects to a fully equipped fitness room. There’s also a private study, dining room, fully equipped kitchen, spacious living room, formal dining/reception area and a meeting room where up to 10 people can convene. Tip: The Peninsula Suite has been designed according to American CIA and British MI5 specifications for maximum security for presidential and top VIP visits. It’s all very James Bond, with a security guardroom in the hallway lift landing area, and direct access from the helipad to the suite. For a large entourage, the Presidential Suite can be converted to a seven-bedroom suite by connecting adjoining rooms and closing off the private corridor, thus occupying the entire floor.

Guests staying in the Garden Suite, The Marco Polo Suite and The Peninsula Suite receive private butler service and 24-hour use of a Rolls-Royce limousine with chauffeur. The Peninsula has a fleet of 14 Rolls-Royce Extended Wheelbase Phantoms. But, the hotel’s “wow” ride is its vintage 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II. Your clients can also take to the skies in the hotel’s twin-engine helicopter, which lifts off from the twin rooftop helipads.

A don’t-miss is the 28th-floor, Philippe Starck-designed Felix restaurant. Here, guests enjoy contemporary cuisine as they gaze down on Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Top Table: Undoubtedly the restaurant’s “Long Table,” which offers the best seats in the house.

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The Shangri-La Suite at The Island Shangri-La is located on the 54th floor and features around-the-clock butler service.

The Peninsula Spa by ESPA has 14 treatment rooms in total; two of these are private spa suites with harbor views—ideal for VIPs or couples. Our insider says to book Sarita, one of the spa’s Nepalese therapists. She provides a holistic experience that blends care with specific treatment techniques. Arrange spa appointments ahead of arrival by contacting Spa Director Sharon Codner (sharoncodner@penin sula.com; 011-852-2315-3311).

Luxury advisors can contact Associate Director of Sales Jeff Kwok ([email protected]; 011-852-2315-3130) for VIP requests. Specific questions about accommodations should be directed to Assistant Director of Sales Antie Leung ([email protected]; 011-852-2315-3125).

Just In: The newest venue at the hotel is Salon de Ning, a sophisticated lounge that recreates the glamour and style of 1930s Shanghai. The club is a collection of themed rooms decorated in art-deco style with a dash of Chinese and international influence. Tip: Stand out by ordering the signature cocktail, the Ning Sling, whose prime ingredient is rose champagne made exclusively for the hotel.

More than two-thirds of the InterContinental Hong Kong’s 495 guest rooms—including all 92 suites—offer Victoria Harbour views. The hotel’s Harbourview Rooms ascend in category, beginning with Superior Harbourview, then Deluxe Harbourview, Junior Harbourview Suites, Executive Harbourview Suites and Deluxe Harbourview Suites. The Deluxe Harbourview Suites are referred to as the “00s” due to their ending numbers on floors 4-15. This is the first of the suite categories with two separate rooms, a living room with a dining area and a separate bedroom. The huge en-suite white marble bathroom has a Jacuzzi with sweeping views of the harbor. Both the CEO Suite, No. 1436, and the Terrace Suite, No. 1630, have private terraces and Jacuzzis overlooking the harbor. The Terrace Suite also gives you a peek at Hong Kong Island.

The term “Presidential Suite” has lost some of its bite over the years, but the InterContinental’s Presidential Suite, No. 1600, goes a long way toward restoring glory to the category. Here you’ll find five bedrooms, a duplex living room, dining room and study. There’s even a private gym, and a 2,500-square-foot terrace with an infinity-edge swimming pool and Jacuzzi with outstanding views.

Tip: For a cruise ship experience on dry land, book one of the third-floor Patio Rooms or Suites. These have private patios with teak decks and teak deck chairs overlooking the harbor.

The I-Spa at InterContinental Hong Kong has five luxurious private suites, with polished green granite from floor-to-ceiling, and each with its own sauna, steam-shower, Jacuzzi and massage facilities. Two “dry” spa rooms are accessed via a mini Japanese garden. These have teak floors and rich sycamore, blackwood and South African Wenge walls. The spa director is Thea Wong ([email protected]; 011-852-2313-2306).


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Harbourview Rooms at the InterContinental ascend in category, but all have views of Victoria Harbour in common.

Dining at the hotel is an international affair. SPOON by Alain Ducasse showcases contemporary French cuisine; NOBU InterContinental Hong Kong features the Japanese cuisine stylings of Chef Nobu Matsuhisa; and Yan Toh Heen receives plaudits for its take on Cantonese cuisine by Chef Lau Yiu Fai (we particularly love the jade table settings here). The most popular tables at all three restaurants are those by the windows, where diners can enjoy spectacular views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island. For a unique dining experience, book the Chef’s Table at SPOON by Alain Ducasse. The hotel has a dedicated restaurant reservations hotline (011-852-2313-2323).

The point person for luxury travel advisors is Director of Sales Mervyn Tam ([email protected]; 011-852-2313-2292).

Stunning sights in Hong Kong are not limited to views from windows and terraces.

The Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong has the world’s largest Chinese silk painting, The Great Motherland of China, spanning 16 floors in the hotel’s atrium. Rooms ending in 01 to 16 at the hotel have panoramic views across Victoria Harbour and beyond. The most requested premium accommodations are the Executive Harbour View rooms, since the rate includes breakfast at either cafe TOO or Restaurant Petrus and in-room check-in.

The spa and health club has five treatment rooms, where the most popular treatment is Chinese acupressure. Note: The spa’s in-demand therapist is Priscilla Tsang, whose specialty is aromatic massage. Spa treatments should be made in advance by contacting Health Club Manager Jude Del Rosario ([email protected]; 011-852-2820-8581).

Restaurant Petrus serves French cuisine and was recently awarded a Michelin star. Tip: Try and secure table 41 in the Alsace room; it has 180-degree views of Victoria Harbour. The tables in the main dining area or on the raised platform are the best to see and be seen.

Luxury travel advisors can contact the hotel’s general manager, Darren Gearing ([email protected]; 011-852-2820-8301). Questions about rooms can be directed to Larry Chan ([email protected]; 011-852-2820-8321), director of sales for the travel trade.

Upcoming: The hotel will launch its Horizon Club in mid-September. This will be an executive lounge providing personal check-in and concierge service, complimentary breakfast and cocktails.