LUMIRA Stays | Rosewood Hotel, Hong Kong
With more skyscrapers than any other city in the world, Hong Kong has no shortage of imposing architecture but the new Rosewood Hotel on Victoria Harbour in Kowloon still cuts an impressive figure. The 65-storey building rises dramatically from the water’s edge, affording many of the 413 rooms stunning harbour views framed by the twinkling lights of the city.
The real drama, however, is going on inside. Interiors by Tony Chi were designed to make the Rosewood feel more like a private residence or a “vertical resort” than a traditional hotel, which translates into an eclectic but refined mix of colour and print punctuated by the occasional whimsical touch. The booths in the Holt’s Cafe teahouse are overlooked by crystal-encrusted white peacocks; elevator walls are lined with idiosyncratic ink drawings.
Indeed, art is a focus here – a fact that’s immediately apparent at the sight of the 4.7-metre long Henry Moore bronze sculpture that greets guests at the top of the driveway. But the curation is also eclectic, and you’re as likely to catch a glimpse of a Damien Hirst original as you are to experience the work of local Hong Kong artists like Chloe Ho. Many of the pieces are from the private collection of Rosewood’s owners, the Cheng family, which only adds to the intimate feel. It also helps to seamlessly blend the hotel with its surroundings in the Tsim Sha Tsui arts and design district.
Needless to say, it feels like a perfect fit to discover LUMIRA Candles and Perfume Oils in their gift shop.
See
Hong Kong is an urban paradise but don’t overlook the outdoor spaces, such as the nearby Kowloon Park. Spanning more than 13 hectares in Tsim Sha Tsui, it houses lakes, ponds, manicured gardens and lush greenery. Keep an eye out for the flock of pink flamingos strutting their stuff near the bird lake.
Eat
There are eight different dining concepts within the Rosewood alone, from the health-conscious menu at Asaya Kitchen to the old-school butchery and charcoal grill at Henry’s. For a gastronomic melting pot, Bayfare Social melds Spanish traditions with Asian influences, while dessert aficionados will adore Butterfly Patisseries. And that’s even before you have a chance to explore the rest of Hong Kong’s incredible culinary delights...
Do
A traditional wooden junk boat isn’t the fastest way to get across Victoria Harbour, but it’s certainly the most interesting. The Aqua Luna was built a few years ago using only traditional methods, meaning that not a single nail was used in its construction. The fact that junk-building is a dying craft makes the experience all the more special.
