Rosewood Hong Kong

BACKGROUND In February, with the Covid-19 pandemic in its early stages, I stayed at the Rosewood Hong Kong, which had already instituted many of the measures that have now become familiar to us. Temperature checks were in place at the entrance, staff wore masks and there were lots of hand sanitising stations. In the past six months, further measures have been imposed in Hong Kong, with hotel guests now required to wear masks as well.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? The hotel is in a Kohn Pedersen Fox-designed, 65-storey skyscraper that also contains Rosewood residences and offices and is connected to the K11 Musea shopping mall. The intention is for it to feel like a high-end home, or “elevated residential hotel living”, as they put it, so there are lawns, gardens and terraces, all by interior designer Tony Chi.

The hotel makes the most of its location, with harbour views from reception

Although new – it opened in March last year – the hotel contains many references to the history of the location, as well as to the Cheng family that owns Rosewood.

A sweeping cobblestoned drive takes you up from Salisbury Road, the noise of Kowloon left behind you as bonsai and topiary come into view ahead. The hotel entrance faces out towards Victoria Harbour, as if still welcoming people arriving by sea, and the forecourt has several luxury cars with Rosewood number plates.