I recently checked-in to see what it’s like to stay at Upper House Hong Kong, an award-winning luxury hotel on the island. It suits travelers who prefer five-star boutique hotels over larger resorts. And, those who like to fly a little under the radar love it. Everything from the paperless check-in to the well-thought-out amenities like the complimentary maxi bars inside the room are meant to pamper and exceed the expectations of a savvy clientele.
What the hotel itself may lack in onsite amenities merely due to its small (but mighty) size, they make up with exclusive partnerships that guests can take advantage of. I actually lived in this building before it was converted to Upper House Hong Kong so will spend time telling you about the Admiralty neighborhood and why it may or may not be right for your Hong Kong vacation or business trip.
Your Access to Virtuoso Benefits at Upper House Hong Kong
The best way to check-in is through Virtuoso, which you have access to through my role as a travel advisor. Benefits include:
*The desktop version of Virtuoso.com is where you’ll search rates and book online. To enable the desktop version from a mobile device, after clicking on a Virtuoso hotel link, scroll down to the navy blue section at the bottom of the web page and click “Full Site.” When searching rates on Virtuoso, do not input children ages 17 and under as they will be priced as adults. I’m notified when you book and will add them when I contact you about your reservation.
WHAT I LOVE
- Rooms start at 730 square feet (the largest in HK, but remember the bathrooms are huge)
- Location adjacent to Pacific Place mall, Admiralty MTR, Hong Kong Park
- Breakfast at Cafe Gray Deluxe
- Complimentary maxi bar
- Panoramic Victoria Harbour views from the tub
- Lifestyle amenities like bikes, yoga classes, and BMW house cars
- Feeling like a VIP
- Virtuoso amenities at no extra cost
GOOD TO KNOW
- While families stay here, there aren’t a ton of kids’ amenities
- No swimming pool on site
- No full-service spa onsite (in-room massages and nails available)
- Island view Studios are quite pretty but choose harbour view, if possible.
- Renowned designer, Andre Fu designed the hotel
ALSO FEATURED IN
What Are the Rooms at Upper House Like?
Upper House Hong Kong rooms are actually called Studios. Those who would like more space can choose Upper Suites or one of the Penthouses.
The 117 Andre Fu designed accommodations come with luxury amenities such as a dual temperature wine fridge, complimentary maxi bar (snacks, soda, juice, and beer are included — bottles of wine chosen by the Café Gray sommelier are a surprisingly reasonable additional cost), espresso machine, and audiovisual connectivity. Rooms also come with LCD TVs with video on demand, surround sound, and electronic blinds that cover the massive exterior windows.
The oversized bathrooms are a highlight, taking up what feels like half of the Studios, and stocked with amenities you may have forgotten to pack and then some. Definitely plan time to soak in the tub with panoramic views of The Peak or harbour.
Here’s a quick summary of the Upper House rooms.
Studio 70
Located on Level 38 and up, Studio 70 rooms span 68 square feet and contain a king-size bed, walk-in rain shower, and limestone bathtub. Studio 70 rooms face the harbor or island.
Studio 80
Studio 80 rooms offer 850 square feet of elegant space with a walk-in shower, a limestone bathtub, and views of the island or harbour.
Upper Suites
If you’re looking for more spacious guest rooms, the Upper Suites span 1,230 square feet and come with a separate bedroom and living room area. Upper Suites contain a living room with an L-shaped sofa and a spa-inspired bathroom. The bedroom has a comfortable king bed.
Penthouses
Experience luxury and ample space in the Upper House Hong Kong Penthouses. The 1,960-square-foot suites contain a living room, and two bedrooms, each with an en-suite bath. Relax on luxury furniture in the living room while gazing at views of the city and the harbor or admiring the original artworks.
Does Upper House Have Connecting Rooms?
No. Families will need to fit into one Studio, Upper Suite, or Penthouse. Maximum occupancy in most Hong Kong hotels is three people of any age, with a handful of exceptions.
Studio 80 rooms have a sofa bed for one person. They can put a crib in this room in addition to preparing the single sofa bed. Families of four with older children or families of five with two older children and a baby should choose an Upper Suite. The Upper Suite has a large L-shaped sofa that can be converted to two single sofa beds. The hotel can also place a crib in the suite.
Where You’ll Eat and Drink at Upper House Hong Kong
The Upper House Hong Kong has three dining establishments on-site: Café Gray Deluxe, Café Gray Bar, and The Lawn.
Café Gray Deluxe
Café Gray Deluxe is well-known for its international menu of beautifully-plated, delicious food, and panoramic harbour views. I like that the tall ceilings and tasteful contemporary decor make the space feel open and airy, making the view and food the focal points. The restaurant’s reputation means it’s popular with locals (my friends in Hong Kong love it).
Here, Chef Gray Kunz designs a menu that highlights organic, seasonal ingredients. Classic European cuisine blends with techniques from Asia and America.
If you book in as a Virtuoso guest, you’ll enjoy breakfast for two here. Whether you prefer Western-style with eggs and meats, or Asian-inspired with Jing teas, porridge, and dumplings, Cafe Gray has a range of breakfast options but save room for the beautiful pastries.
At lunchtime, the kitchen serves fixed two- and three-course menus. As a former British colony, Hong Kong carries on traditions from the English, as showcased in the restaurant’s daily afternoon teas. The golden raisin scones pair deliciously with house-made jams, honey, and Devonshire clotted cream. When the sun sets, the kitchen cooks a four-course menu expertly paired with award-winning wine recommendations from the in-house sommelier.
Café Gray Bar
Café Gray Bar is adjacent to Cafe Gray Deluxe and is a perfect place to sip hand-crafted cocktails and world-class wines while enjoying views of the Kowloon and Hong Kong skyline. Mixologists create unique concoctions updated seasonally. Ask about Café Gray Chef Sommelier, Leo Au’s, award-winning 10-Year Wine List.
The Lawn
Life’s a picnic at The Lawn, where green grass and gardens surround you. Order a drink while enjoying small bites in a lush respite away from the hustle and bustle of the city. During my stay, it was quiet here as most people head up to Café Gray Bar.
In-Room Dining
Of course, Upper House Hong Kong guests can take advantage of an exclusive 24-hour in-room dining menu.
Signing Privileges at Hong Kong Restaurants
If you find yourself visiting popular restaurants in town (which you should), you’ll be able to sign the bill to the room at a handful. Most recently this includes Ho Lee Fook (a favorite of mine), Carbone, Duddell’s, The Continental, Mr & Mrs Fox, Plat du Jour, Spiga, Bizou, Grappa’s, and others. This list could change at any time so do ask the concierge to verify.
Upper House Wellness Offerings
The Hong Kong boutique hotel’s aim is to be a lifestyle property where people can eat well and feel well while enjoying Hong Kong.
In-Room Spa Treatments
These include nail services by The Nail Library luxe nail spa (tap into that Maxi bar for some wine or bubbly to compliment the service), With 24 hours notice, you can book an exclusive Christian Louboutin nail treatment.
In-room massages can be whatever style you prefer (lymphatic, reflexology, aromatherapy, Swedish, etc.) from 50-100 minutes.
Complimentary Yoga Classes
All guests enjoy complimentary 60-minute yoga and meditation classes at Upper House Hong Kong held in the mornings on the weekend. The hotel will also arrange private classes for an hourly charge. Head over to PURE Yoga studio in the Star Street Precinct (I used to belong here and it’s fantastic) hosts over 30 styles including hot yoga, Hatha yoga, and aerial yoga.
24-Hour Gym
If you prefer working out on your own time, Upper House has a fully equipped gym open 24 hours with Technogym cardiovascular machines and weights.
Bowen Road Running Trail
Grab a jogging map from the Guest Experience Team to head out to Bowen Road and its popular running trails. Take to the trails by bike, if you wish, by reserving a bicycle through the hotel’s Guest Experience Team.
Nearby Tennis Courts
Upper House Hong Kong guests can reserve tennis courts at Bowen Tennis Courts which can be booked online up to 11 days in advance. The courts are open daily throughout the year, although guests must bring their own rackets and balls. The hotel can also arrange private sessions with a coach for an additional charge per hour.
Is there a Swimming Pool at Upper House?
No. The benefit of a location near three other hotels is that Upper House guests visit the Conrad or Island Shangri-La hotel pools with a pass for purchase or complimentary swimming access at sister hotel EAST, in Taikoo with arranged drop off (personally, I think heading over to Taikoo takes a bit of effort, about a 10-minute drive away with no traffic or 30 minutes on the MTR, so I’d pay to use the nearby hotel pools.)
Unique Lifestyle Amenities
A Fleet of BMW House Cars
Upper House offers guests the use of House cars as transport options that include a BMW 5201 or X5, Mercedes or 6 seater MPV. The BMW i3 can drop guests off to nearby locations, subject to availability.
In-Room Tailor
Lord’s Tailor will come to Upper House to measure and select fabrics for guests who would like to enjoy a custom suit or shirt.
Rimowa Repair
Need a ding fixed? The Guest Experience Team will arrange to have your Rimowa luggage serviced during your stay. (There is also a Rimowa shop in the attached Pacific Place mall with Hong Kong stickers if you’re the type to let your luggage tell your story). As a Rimowa owner, I love this.
Things to Do Near Upper House Hong Kong in the Admiralty Area
Admiralty borders Wan Chai on the east end of the Central business district. The MTR Station is Admiralty, which has an entrance inside Pacific Place mall below Upper House Hong Kong.
Interchange at the station for the Tseun Wan line to Kowloon or the South Island Line to Ocean Park Hong Kong. This access to both lines makes the location convenient for those in Hong Kong with kids and those who want to easily explore Kowloon markets.
You can walk to attractions in Central in about 20-30 minutes depending on where you’re going. While this sounds far, I used to take this walk all the time and enjoy passing through Hong Kong Park (The Peak Tram Lower Terminus is here) and browsing shops along the Queens Road until reaching the Mid-Levels Escalator.
Pacific Place mall adjacent to Upper House provides a wealth of dining and shopping in addition to a gourmet market called great. Nearly anything you forgot to pack can be picked up here. Some of the best restaurants are located inside luxury hotels, and there are three others in the same complex as Upper House.
On the Wan Chai side, check out Star Precinct a gentrified intersection of four streets that is now a hip dining and shopping destination.
How to Book Upper House Hong Kong
The best way to book Upper House Hong Kong is through Virtuoso. I can personally vouch for the behind-the-scenes service and proactive outreach by the Guest Experience team to make sure your stay is perfect. I’ve experienced it personally and via reader stays booked through me. Plus, you receive the below value-added amenities.
The Virtuoso amenities:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Full Breakfast for two guests per bedroom, in restaurant
- $100 USD Equivalent Resort/Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
You can book directly through my Upper House Hong Kong Virtuoso page.*
*You may need to be on the desktop version of Virtuoso.com to search rates and book online. To enable the desktop version of a hotel page from a mobile device, scroll down to the navy blue section at the bottom of the web page and click “Full Site.” When searching rates, do not input children ages 17 and under as they will be priced as adults. I’m notified when you book and will add them when I contact you about your reservation.
Other Hong Kong Luxury Hotels that I LOVE
- The Landmark Mandarin Oriental
- Island Shangri-La
- Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
- Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
- Hotel Icon Hong Kong
Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom. She helps readers plan San Diego vacations through her hotel expertise (that stems from living in a Four Seasons hotel) and local connections. Readers have access to exclusive discounts on theme park tickets (like Disneyland and San Diego Zoo) and perks at luxury hotels worldwide through her. She also shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide, like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai, that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both).
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