CNBC Business | THE UPPER HOUSE

THE UPPER HOUSE

HONG KONG

Location Perched on top of a 49-storey tower in Pacifi c Place, within easy walking distance of both the green spaces of Mid-levels and Central’s fi nancial skyscrapers. Below, a huge mall connects to Admiralty MTR station, while a regular shuttle bus serves the Airport Express.
Style Swire Hotels’ second property has a warmer and more traditional feel than the light, white chic of The Opposite House in Beijing but shows the same meticulous attention to detail and total disregard of expense. Local design wunderkind Andre Fu has made lavish use of oak, bamboo, sandstone and silk to create soothing, spa-like interiors, with soft furnishings in shades of moss, lavender and celadon. Add in fi ve-star facilities, vibrant venues and fabulous views, and you have luxury boutique living at its very best. The top-fl oor Cafe Gray Deluxe is rapidly – and deservedly – becoming a destination bar and restaurant. Its spectacular harbour views, imaginative wine list and exquisite, affordable European cuisine with an Asian twist, are attracting locals in droves – so much so that booking is already a pre-requisite, even mid-week. A decent-sized gym with Precor equipment and views of the Mid-levels should satisfy most fi tness fanatics, but those who must have a pool or spa can visit the JW Marriott or Island Shangri-La, also both in Pacifi c Place.
Guestrooms Picking the best thing about the 117 sizeable rooms – the smallest is 70m2 – is a tough call. The free-standing marble bath with double-aspect views and its own TV? The monsoon shower, REN toiletries and ultra-soft bathrobes? A maxi-bar with free beers and soft drinks? A coffee machine that makes proper coffee and a full-size kettle, bone-china teapot and delicious leaf tea? A dreamy bed with all the threads and paradisiacal pillows? The only negatives involved playing an iPod or a movie – the former challenging and the latter pricey – otherwise this is pretty close to perfection.
Can I work here? Free Wi-Fi is very welcome, as are huge desks with every conceivable plug. There’s no business centre, but travellers can borrow a laptop and printing is available via an online service. Meeting spaces are limited, but the lawn on level six can be booked for events and a private dining room seats 12 in splendour.