A True 5 Star Experience at Ritz Carlton, Hong Kong
It’s hard to communicate my feelings of the first glimpse of Hong Kong as we were landing on a clear Wednesday morning. The split skyline sets itself amazingly against the hills and nature surrounding it, and the teal waters carry a non-stop buzz of people and things moving across them on ferries and container ships. As you take in all of the beauty, excitement, and juxtaposition that it presents in one breath, you can’t help but notice this one incredible, massive skyscraper protruding from the skyline, a head above the rest. This magnificent glass pillar is the International Commerce Centre which houses the Ritz Carlton Hong Kong hotel on its top 16 floors!
The Hong Kong Ritz Carlton is the highest hotel in the World, boasting the highest bar in the World, two Michelin Star restaurants, a world-renowned spa, and one of the most incredible pool views we’ve ever seen! The interior and decor are tasteful, breathtaking and varied between each portion of the hotel. It’s immediately apparent that a wealth of thought, effort, and creativity went into the design and decor, and its upkeep.
As we arrived at the ground floor lobby, we were immediately greeted by hotel staff, asked for our names, and escorted to the elevator to continue the check-in process on the 103rd floor. Upon arriving there, we were then guided to continue our journey to the Executive Lounge on the 118th floor to enjoy a glass of champagne as the concierge there completed our check-in and went over the details of the wonderland we would call home for the next three nights.
If you’re able to get access to the Executive Lounge, I highly recommend taking advantage of it! They provide breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and a light dinner with cocktails. Aside from the delicious food and cocktails, this is a very comfortable place to get some work done, or even read the newspaper with a cup of coffee, while taking in the view of the bustling city, which seems so far away from your peaceful nest perched up on the 118th floor.
As we walked into our beautiful king room on the 108th floor, we were immediately taken aback by the elegance, decor, and modernity of the room. Immediately, I was hit with how huge the room is. As I walked right by our incredibly plush king size bed, my eyes were smacked open by the view that was laid in front of me through our floor-to-ceiling glass windows. There was Kowloon Bay, one hundred and eight floors below me, bustling away like a movie scene from Blade Runner. Sitting there in the mornings, sipping coffee with fresh fruits, reflecting on this gorgeous city below, created an almost spiritual connection to Hong Kong for us. Lastly, the room boasted an enormous bathroom with dual sinks, a huge tub with its own TV, and a rain shower in case you don’t have time for a bath (not sure who doesn’t have time for a bath)!
*Honorable mention to the extremely comfortable king-sized bed that they *almost* made us consider skipping seeing the city.
Throughout our stay, we were determined to explore as much of what the Ritz had to offer. After many hours of travel to reach the Mecca that is Hong Kong, we knew that we had to book a couple’s spa treatment to ease ourselves into our vacation. We were given a stunning corner couple’s spa suite with, you guessed it, fantastic views of the harbor! We got to enjoy our own private lounging area and hot tub while watching the harbor bustle below us, and helicopters flying at eye level! After our relaxation time, two very talented masseuses greeted us and made us forget about everything else, providing an unrivaled sensory experience. From the room, to the skilled staff, it was indeed an unparalleled spa treatment.
The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong also houses a state of the art gym adjacent to a breathtaking pool, giving you an entirely unobstructed view of the harbor. There are also 2 hot tubs and 1 cold plunge pool for those that need the extra sensory experience, as if being in a hot tub on the 118th floor isn’t enough! As we burned off the calories from prior meals with a workout and a swim, our mind was obviously on our next meal and evening activities.
There is absolutely no shortage of amazing food in the hotel, boasting multiple Michelin Star restaurants, a caviar and champagne bar, and the famous Ozone bar on the top floor. We opted for Ozone, and were lucky enough to snag an outside table on the patio, overlooking the city and the water. This space is swanky to say the least, and definitely one of the coolest bars I have EVER been to. We were treated to their signature drink, the “HK Skyline,” made to emulate the breathtaking experience of being that high up. This drink blew my mind. Its ingredients include Zacapa 23 Years, Absinth, Imperial Oolong Syrup, Pink Grapefruit, Lime Juice, Dom Perignon Foam (wow), Chocolate Stones and Apple Wood Smoke. All this and more at the highest bar in the World. Need I say more?
Staying at the Hong Kong Ritz Carlton is an experience in itself; one that will make you wonder if you can ever stay at another hotel again without disappointment. This ended up being the best hotel I have ever stayed in, and honestly made our stay in Hong Kong one of the best trips we’ve ever taken.
Thank you to the amazing staff that makes it possible, we will be back!
