As of 2023, the total number of hotels in Hong Kong hovers around the 300 mark. In a classic Darwinian case of only the fittest survive, all the bold-type hotels recognised globally are studded in Hong Kong: Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, The Peninsula, Rosewood, Hyatt, Mandarin Oriental, and so on all have footholds in the city, some within sight of each other, and others so close that they share the same address. From landmarks brimming with historical legacy to new and refurbished hotels that speak to modern sensibilities, there is no lack of options to choose from, but for absolute luxury, impeccable service, stellar wining and dining, and security, secrecy, and privacy fit for heads of state, royalty, and VVIPs, only the best presidential suites in Hong Kong will do. Here are some of our favourites.
Rosewood Hong Kong
On social media, there is a viral clip that has been making the rounds (and even served to instigate this feature): A guest hugs the wall of an incredible suite at Rosewood Hong Kong, leaning on a room wallpapered with the plush fabrication of Loro Piana, no less. Fabric for wallpaper? Well, that level of lavish detailing is just the beginning at Harbour House, a 1,150-square-metre residency on the 57th floor of Rosewood Hong Kong that comes with a 13-metre outdoor pool and wraparound gardens facing uninterrupted harbour views.
Within the opulently appointed rooms, there are spacious living areas, as well as a library, office space and study, dining room, a private kitchen, and a guest powder room. Harbour House’s master bedroom has a walk-in dressing room with soft, leather-wrapped furnishings, and the bathroom features a circular marble tub and twin walk-in rain showers with waterfall features and twin heated washlets. Soaring ceilings and splendid views are a given, but what’s unheard of in most hotel rooms in the city is that the floor is complemented by a 283-square-metre Garden House, allowing guests to expand their accommodations into a five-bedroom home. Curated contemporary works of art, lacquer cabinetry, a private bar—the long list of amenities has you spoilt for choice. But then, that’s the entire idea.
Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
Over the years, we’ve taken note that when VVIPs come a-knockin’, they find comfort under the aegis of a recognised brand when stepping away from home turf. Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong’s dependable comfort is like a warm embrace, and the number of foreign dignitaries and captains of industry who have stayed there is too long to list. Many choose to stay on the 43rd floor, in the guarded Presidential Suite. Behind gilded doors, in an effortlessly chic room that spans 319 square metres, there’s dining room for 10, plush décor with silk-panelled walls, a happy hybrid of Asian aesthetics and Western flair, natural woods, and contemporary art.
For our money’s worth, the best view is found in the marble-tiled bathroom, in the spacious bathtub overlooking 180-degree views of Victoria Harbour and Kowloon. For visitors, there is a grand foyer and a guest powder room within the suite, plus an informal sitting area and a separate study, topped with all the perks and exquisite service the brand is renowned for.
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
After nearly four decades of accommodating visiting royalty, heads of state, stars, and tycoons, the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong’s finest suites have been consistently upgraded, modified, and adjusted with the accumulated knowledge of interacting with all the president’s men. Despite popular belief, Andreas Stalder, senior vice-president of product development for Hyatt Asia-Pacific, explains that size is, in fact, not a priority. “Presidential suites are often vast, soulless spaces. Impressively large, but lacking in personality, and therefore ultimately forgettable,” says Stalder. “Sometimes, people are staying in a presidential suite by themselves and for them, size can actually be a drawback, making it a lonely experience. For them, it’s about privacy, quality, and how the spaces make them feel.”
And how can you not feel special at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong? With a separate, private VIP lift that carries you to the top of floors on level 35 and 36, the contemporary presidential suites are 400 square metres, with the living room area, amenities, magnificent art, and a grand piano in the corner all hitting the right notes. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows allow for guests to observe Hong Kong’s signature views, and the panoramic glass windows extend towards all the living spaces, all the way down to the master bedroom.
Simple elegance is key, and art and sculptures are seamless appointed in the overall arc of the room. Look for design features like the scroll detailing of a hall console, the kang-style leg of a side table, or even the lacquered finish of a storage box; the fabrics and textures remind you that not only are you in an Asian city, but a grand one at that.
Choose from the Classic Traditional presidential suite with gold and bronze details and furniture sporting classical lines, or the Contemporary Eclectic presidential suite, featuring clean-lined furniture, a softer-hued palette, and a modern interpretation of elegant residence. For both presidential suites, the layout has been arranged with wraparound views. Guests can benefit from round-trip limousine transfers between airport and hotel, an in-room massage by a professional therapist from the award-winning Plateau Spa, and a dedicated suite butler.
Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
A spacious two-bedroom suite, a dining area that easily sits 12, a master bedroom with a panoramic view, its own kitchen, uncommonly high ceilings, and VIP access to The Mandarin Club, a sprawling retreat on the 23rd floor overlooking Statue Square, The Mandarin Suite is the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong’s deluxe version of the presidential suite. At night, the private balcony, spanning the entire length of the spacious living and dining room, with picture-postcard views of neon-lit Hong Kong is the place to be. Furnished with restored furniture, handcrafted pieces, incredible artefacts, antiquities, and auction-bought classic paintings, the aesthetics are on point. Additionally, there’s an adjoining one-bedroom suite features a living room, bedroom, and bathroom for staff or additional guests.
The Peninsula Hong Kong
We don’t use the term “iconic” loosely, but there are historical hotels, and then there’s the “Grande Dame” of Hong Kong hospitality. The Peninsula Suite at The Peninsula Hong Kong occupies the 26th floor of the famed building, carrying the weight of great history, grandeur, and luxury with effortless elegance. A spacious master bedroom, walk-in wardrobes, Art Deco-style bathroom with marble inlays, private gym, living area, and landscaped terrace make up the 380-square-metre space. If the walls could talk, they would eulogise rich chapters of the city’s storied lore, featuring visiting dignitaries, celebrities, and many imbued with power and prestige.
Like the city itself, the room is a harmonious union of old and new; original artworks and furnishings meet the latest in modern entertainment units. A screening room, gym, 10-seater dining area with a nearby grand piano, and living room with double-height ceilings add to the feeling of luxury. When you walk by the silk screen—famed artist Pat Steir’s work—and the sculpture by Chinese artist Sun Yi, every aspect you see, hear, or touch has untold value. It’s old-school luxury as seen in classic film and television on one hand, and on the other, it’s a level of otherwise unattainable perfection in service and amenities.
Regent Hong Kong
As any insider knows, if you want the best view of the Hong Kong skyline, you have to be in Kowloon—which is where the Presidential Suite at Regent Hong Kong comes in for the finest vista in town. A luxurious, state-of-the-art duplex, the stunning suite has been transformed by renowned architect and designer Chi Wing Lo. We have been waiting long for a first look at this spacious oasis—650 square metres with five bedrooms, with its own private infinity pool and an en-suite rooftop terrace of 230-plus square metres—in the sky.
Regent Hong Kong’s Presidential Suite comes with all the perks: a private dining room, tearoom, gym, kitchenette, and its own living room with sky-high views and floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Within the marble bathroom, the private sauna and steam room includes a rainforest shower and whirlpool bathtub. Furthermore, the art, sculptures, and contemporary design of the Presidential Suite not only meets great expectation—it surpasses it.
The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
Worldwide, the Ritz-Carlton brand draws such word-of-mouth praise in person and online, it’s the kind of publicity money cannot buy. The Ritz-Carlton Suite—the presidential suite of The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong—lives up to the hype; it spans 415 square metres and features a private dining room, spacious living room, a marble bathroom complete with a bathtub fitted with spray jets, a private meeting area, a walk-in closet, and a pantry.
Butler service is included in the stay, so pampering is next-level. On a cloudless day, the Ritz-Carlton Suite provides stunning views as far as the eye can see and eagles dare to fly. Lounge privileges, dedicated club concierge services, limousine service, private in-room check-in, and so on fills a catalogue of perks that the suite provides. Aesthetically, it is heady luxury, the kind you read about in literature and glossy magazines: mother-of-pearl walls, a glamorous chandelier, 600-thread-count Egyptian cotton, and carpets with hand-quilted arabesque patterns and artwork fit for a museum.
All images courtesy of their respective brands.
