The Murray is a contemporary urban chic hotel, but it is not just any other hotel.

Duncan Palmer, managing director of The Murray, Hong Kong, shares that the hotel was formerly the Murray Building, designed by modernist architect Ronald Phillips in the sixties. “The Murray, Hong Kong will be the flagship of Niccolo Hotels,” he says. “ It is one of only eight buildings identified by the Hong Kong government as part of the Conserving Central Project. It will not be just any other hotel; it is the preservation of one of city’s most iconic landmarks.” The high-profile preservation project is by British International studio for architecture, urbanism and design Foster + Partners.

The Wharf Group acquired the government site and building for HK$4.4 billion while the total cost of transforming it into a hotel including the site cost will be a total investment of approximately HK$7.8 billion.

It will feature 336 oversize rooms and suites spanning 25 floors, five dining options including a rooftop restaurant and bar with stunning views of the city’s skyline and The Peak.

The hotel is located along Cotton Tree Drive in Central, Hong Kong and is within close proximity to the financial district as well as the green oases of Hong Kong Park and the Botanical Gardens.

Palmer shares that Ronald Phillips, the architect behind The Murray’s original modernist architecture, included recessed windows which allow substantial light to the interiors while the concrete blade walls block the sun’s rays from hitting the glass panes directly. This advance design won an award for energy conservation 20 years after the building was completed. Foster + Partners has respectfully preserved this feature keeping the building revolutionary then, and revolutionary now.

“Some other physical features that will make The Murray unique will be its secluded and privately owned driveway, and a lobby that will have a sophisticated bar at one end. There will be no applied surfaces such as paint,” says Palmer.

The interior design by Foster + Partners uses stone, fabric, leather, metal and glass. Further, the building is serviced by eight lifts and a host of purpose-built meeting spaces including the 450-sqm Niccolo Room with a LED ceiling and walls. This is complemented by another six meeting rooms with natural daylight and views of St. John’s Cathedral and the nearby gardens, notes Palmer.

Of the challenges involved in the development of the hotel, Palmer says that one of them has to do with the fact that The Murray is an iconic landmark and a high-profile preservation project, as such will include working around structures and spaces that should be kept in its original form.

"For instance, the tower’s unique window designs which, being in a conservation building, people will naturally want to see remain," he says. "However, the fixtures were meant to deflect sunlight and enhance the building’s energy saving, which garnered praise and awards in its day. We will have to use our creativity and experience to strike a balance between sunlight and comfort, style and conservation."

The Murray will cater to all types of luxury travelers from major markets in the region as well as Europe and the Americas. “The Murray team has already been travelling to important tradeshows and feeder market destinations to ensure the word is out to key market leaders, corporate buyers and third-party suppliers,” shares Palmer. “While discussing our plans, we have received very positive feedback and are already receiving enquiries way ahead of the opening.”

The Murray, Hong Kong is set to open in late 2017.
 

It's the city's pioneering urban resort.

The new 16-storey, 546-room Kerry Hotel in Hong Kong recently opened its doors to guests as the city’s first urban resort.

"Kerry Hotel differentiates itself from any existing five-star hospitality brand and hotel, by its architecture, landscape, approach, core values, brand promise, service delivery and target audience," says Sharon Foo, director of communications of Kerry Hotel Hong Kong.

Foo says the key differences of Kerry Hotel guide guests to a completely new ground where they can find a lively, contemporary, truly local, relaxed and socially active experience.

In terms of architecture and landscape, Kerry Hotel Hong Kong offers guests a unique podium design with expansive outdoor spaces facing the Victoria Harbour, and all outdoor areas that resemble a garden with lush topiary. Foo says that Kerry Hotel is the only one in Hong Kong where all restaurants and bars offer alfresco dining.

Foo also notes that there is a generous installation of floor to ceiling windows to allow maximum natural daylight in public areas and guest rooms.
"The hotel is a gallery housing over 1,000 pieces of art, from specially commissioned artwork for Kerry Hotel, contemporary artwork by rising star artists, creative installations that salute to Old Hong Kong architectural elements, as well as invaluable original masterpieces by renowned artists," adds Foo.

Conceived by internationally renowned interior designer André Fu and award winning architect Rocco Design, the new build 16-storey hotel is the first to open on the Kowloon waterfront since 1995.

In terms of guestrooms and suites, over 60 percent of the hotel’s guestrooms feature panoramic views of the Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island skyline. Each guestroom is configured with contemporary comforts in mind and includes a custom-built open closet, complimentary mini-bar choices upon arrival, Internet Protocol Television with free videos on demand and bespoke lighting pendants infused with subtle Asian references.

For meetings and events Kerry Hotel in Hong Kong is home to the city’s largest pillar-less hotel ballroom and 17 beautifully appointed event spaces. At an impressive 1,756 square metres, the Grand Ballroom can accommodate over 1,000 guests for a banquet and is ornately decorated with nearly 20,000 overhanging rock crystals.

The venue is equipped with Hong Kong’s largest LED wall measuring 15.4-metres wide by 4.3-metres high. Another adaptable function space – the Hung Hom Ballroom, at 1,125 square metres, is dressed in hand-painted wall-coverings embellished in an artisanal gold patina. Both ballrooms are capable of hosting conferences, weddings and special occasions and cleverly integrate indoor and outdoor space, with terraces offering uninterrupted views of Hong Kong’s skyline.

Centrally located on Kowloon peninsula, guests of Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong can venture around the city by ferry, train, subway, bus, taxi, limousine, or on foot. The hotel is a short walk from the Hung Hom Ferry Pier, Whampoa MTR Station and Hung Hom Train Station. The Hong Kong International Airport and Airport Express Line (Kowloon station) are 40 minutes and 10 minutes car ride from the hotel, respectively. Tsim Sha Tsui East, the famed shopping district, is within a short walking distance.
 

The Disney Explorer’s Lodge will open on April 30.

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s third hotel, Disney Explorer’s Lodge, has 750 rooms and is set to open on April 30. The seven-storey hotel is located in Magic Road, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Lantau Island.

The resort sees huge potential in its markets across mainland China and Southeast Asia. With the addition of 750 rooms, the resort can now accommodate large group bookings, such as those from Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) in Hong Kong.

As Hong Kong’s first exploration and adventure hotel, Disney Explorers Lodge provides a brand new exotic getaway with fully immersive Disney elements. The new hotel offers a uniquely exotic experience as guests can explore the cultures of Africa, Asia, Oceania and South America.

“HKDL has reached a new level as a resort destination. Along with the two other Disney-themed hotels and the diverse offerings in the park, HKDL is now one of the region's most comprehensive staycation destinations,” a HKDL spokesperson said in an interview.

Starting this June, the resort will host the Marvel Super Hero Summer, featuring encounters with Captain America, Spider-Man and others, as well as a brand new Marvel walkthrough experience set exclusively in Hong Kong.

All rooms have harbour view.

Sino Hotels, the hospitality management arm of Sino Group, has just recently added to its growing portfolio a new hotel embracing a contemporary residence concept.

Situated in the ‘Golden Circle’ of West Kowloon, The Olympian Hong Kong creates a home away from home ambiance for business and vacation travelers. The hotel has the urban setup for guests who are looking for bespoke services and contemporary concept.

The new hotel, which opened last March, holds 32 guestrooms and suites that have been made for an exclusive set-up and for a convenient setting. The Olympian Hong Kong’s rooms and suites range from an intimate 43-square-metre room to an exquisite 75-square-metre suite. All guestrooms feature 3.3-metre ceiling height and floor-to-ceiling windows, maximising the mesmerising view over Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong’s world-famous skyline.

According to Kevin Chuc, Associate Director & Deputy Group General Manager of Sino Hotels, the Olympian also offers an in-room check-in hosted by a Guest Relations Ambassador as well as a chauffeured Rolls Royce for travelling in style on all occasions.

Sino Hotels’ collection includes The Royal Pacific Hotel & Towers, City Garden Hotel, Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel, Island Pacific Hotel, The Pottinger Hong Kong, The Olympian Hong Kong and the Gold Coast Yacht & Country Club.

To help hotel residents make the best out of their stay in Hong Kong.

Eaton, Hong Kong, which features 465 rooms has collaborated with “handy”, a smartphone rental service to launch a free-to-use smartphone service available to all its hotel residents. The handy smartphone offers an unlimited 3G data, wifi sharing and free local and international calls to Australia, China, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States on an entirely complimentarily basis.

The smartphone also features helpful travel applications including currency converter, Google maps, MTR maps and city guides featuring shopping, sightseeing and eating hotspots.

Shane Pateman, general manager of the Eaton, Hong Kong, says the addition of this free-to-use smartphone as a multi-functional travel companion is just another way in which they want to help their residents maximise their time in Hong Kong while allowing them to stay connected with home at the same time.

Check out the new London-style suites and its award-winning Artesian Bar.

Located in the heart of the luxury fashion district at Canton Road, The Langham Hong Kong unveils stylish new rooms and suites, and an elegant Palm Court. The luxury brand also brings its award-winning bar, the Artesian, in Hong Kong.

According to Bob van den Oord, Managing Director & Vice President of Brands of The Langham HK, Hong Kong remains to be a robust destination with so much to offer. The USD30 million refurbishment allows them to stay competitive and continue to be one of the top luxury hotels in the city with their new residential design of the suites and facilities to elevate the hotel’s European heritage.

Bob also notes that the management will continue to elevate the hotel’s overall guest experience by assigning a Guest Experience Manager to every room and maintain its Shopping Butler Service to ensure a luxurious and bespoke Hong Kong experience for their guests.

London-based interior and architectural design firm, G.A Design, was commissioned to create what is billed a ‘world-class’ transformation with an emphasis on elegant residential experiences with luxury detailing. The aim for the room renovation is to have a design referencing the Langham luxury brand elements, yet relevant to the character and culture of the city in which the hotel is located.

The The US$30 million extensive facelift which heralds a new era of luxury for The Langham, Hong Kong took three months to complete.

G.A Design also undertook the design work for the famed Artesian. The glamorous cocktail bar is decorated in Art Deco-style with a new horseshoe-shaped bar counter on a podium, forming a focus for both communal seating and a stage for bartenders to entertain, showcasing their exotic cocktails.

The Artesian, voted as “The World's Best Bar” for two consecutive years in 2012 and 2013 by Drinks International, will feature Bourbon creations at its best. According to Bob, guests at Artesian can expect the ‘finest’ classic cocktails ‘masterfully’ crafted with house-made infusions, shaken and stirred by the ‘fashionable’ bar crew, and led by Bar Manager, Rajendra “Rush” Limbu, who hails from restaurants such as Otto e Mezzo, Il Milione and Ping Pong.

The Artesian flows easily into and out of the lobby lounge, Palm Court, subdivided by a double-sided Faux fireplace, offering both focus and backdrop to each space, whilst maintaining transparency between the two. Bob explains that the colour scheme itself is based on the golds and teals of Palm Court, but subtly developed to incorporate a warmer and more sophisticated feel. The fresher colours of Palm Court, meanwhile he says, give way to richer and more luxuriant finishes, evoking a sense of English heritage combined with a punchy accent to create an ambience of nostalgic Art Deco romance with an elegant yet striking environment.

According to Bob, The Langham HK’s upgrading continues in 2015 with the renovation of two Michelin-star Chinese restaurant, T’ang Court, and the introduction of Langham’s signature Chuan Body & Soul Spa.