After a long-haul flight from London to Hong Kong we were eager to get to our chosen hotel, the Lan Kwai Fong Hotel @ Kau U Fong. We picked this boutique hotel as it was well placed within the Central District – plenty to see locally on foot, and close enough to public transport.
We arranged a private transfer (via booking.com) from the airport to the hotel. This was a blessing as the driver was waiting for us in the Arrivals Hall and in no time we were on the way to our hotel.
First impressions
You quickly learn that there are lots of steep hills in and around the Central District of Hong Kong, and lots of narrow one-way streets. The hotel from the outside didn’t really look like a hotel. It was rather unassuming, with no drop off area. However, the first thing you realise is that you really are in the heart of this busy district. A word I use to summarize the hotel, from first view all the way through to after we left was ‘quirky’. It is a very quirky hotel – unlike many hotels, this one had a unique character of its own. Quirky in a good way.
The lobby
The lobby was small but the staff were excellent. There were always two desk managers on duty and a concierge to help with lifts and luggage. The areas they could decorate, they did, with Chinese art and oriental pieces in bright colours.
After a quick check-in we took the lift to floor 27, where we had booked rooms 2702 and 2703. These rooms were Deluxe Harbour View rooms with an interconnecting door between them. One was set up as a double, and the other as a twin.
The rooms
Our greatest fear, having read reviews before we travelled, was that the rooms would be very small. Upon entering the first room, we admit it wasn’t HUGE … but it wasn’t tiny either. It seemed perfectly fine for two people. You are instantly drawn to the huge window with cushioned window seats that look out across Hong Kong The first thing you need to do is open the curtains as wide as they will go!
There was a nice large bed (very comfortable mattress and pillows), and traditional dark wood furniture. The flat-screen TV was opposite the bed, as was a fridge, a coffee/tea-making station, and an unexpected microwave oven. Behind the door, opposite the bathroom, there was a wardrobe with plenty of hanging space, and a safe. A luggage stand was also available.
A gift of fruit and wine awaited us, which we enjoyed later that day having caught up on some lost sleep. Oh, I should add at this point that the wifi was good (kept the teenagers happy).
Bathroom
Now the hotel bathrooms seemed to get most criticism in online reviews, but either we were very lucky or we’re not as fussy as other guests! In honesty – yes, the bathroom was quite snug. BUT … it was actually rather cute! Again, it had character that is almost always missing in international hotel chains. It was highly functional, had space for your washbag and hooks and rails on which to hang clothes and the super-fluffy towels. Plenty of hot water – or cold if you’ve been in the sweltering weather outside! I loved the fact that Elemis provided the shampoo and shower wash, and the saloon-style wooden swing doors with chunky sliding lock was a real feature. There was a hairdryer too!
Overall, the room was perfect for what we wanted. We were in Hong Kong to explore, and when we needed to recharge, refresh and relax, it offered all of that (and some).
Breakfast
We booked breakfast for the duration of our stay. For the first two days this took place in the Breeze Lounge on Floor 4, which has indoor and outdoor seating. This was a buffet breakfast. It was adequate, but not extensive. Toast with various toppings, some hot options, cereals, juices, hot tea/coffee etc. Enough to fill your bellies in readiness for a day of exploring.
The Breeze Lounge also hosts a Happy Hour from 5-8pm each evening, where there’s complimentary house wine (red and white). 24/7 though there are coffee and hot water urns here, with snacks too – a great stop off on the way back to your room having been out all day.
Due to the start of some renovation work to the Breeze Lounge, our last breakfast took place in the hotel’s basement Aap Ba Din restaurant. This was a set menu breakfast – traditional – and very nice. The décor in this Chinese cuisine restaurant was very opulent.
Gym
There is a small gym at the hotel, with a selection of cardio and weight exercise options.
Hotel location
The Lan Kwai Fong Hotel @ Kau U Fong is located in the heart of the Central District of Hong Kong. It is a short walk to Central Market and the Central-Mid-Levels Escalators. There are lots of eateries around here. It is also a short walk to the MTR and the Macau Ferry Terminal. However, because of the hotel’s location mid-way up a steep road, it is important to mention that if you have mobility problems you may struggle a little. I have an unpredictable knee, so we hailed taxis – often – to help us get from A to B. These are very prolific and a good price.
On a final note, the smoothie café directly opposite the hotel entrance was definitely worth a visit! We sure did, more than once!
