Checked In @ Hong Kong: Hotel Icon

Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hong Kong

Situated in the southern part of Kowloon, Hotel Icon is one accommodation that I would love to go back to.

Arriving at exactly 11 o’clock in the morning with tons of baggage in tow, we are more than happy that the hotel allowed us to have an early check in because of the coming typhoon that afternoon. The caring gesture is the first of the many reasons why I would recommend this hotel to anyone who will be travelling soon in Hong Kong.

Designed by celebrated architects Terence Conran, Rocco Yim and William Lim and mostly ran by exuberant, young trainee staffs, I could now see why the 5-star hotel bagged three more awards this year and why it is becoming a growing favorite of locals and foreigners alike who visit Hong Kong.

We stayed in their Club 36 City & Harbour room which gives you an amazing panoramic view of the city as well as the adjacent harbour view from your floor–to–ceiling glass window. Everything inside the room is a breath of fresh air; from the stylish wooden furnishings and the spacious but comfy ambience of the hotel, Hotel Icon lets you feel instantly that you are welcome.

I personally love the curved, sliding bathroom door that is connected to the equally curved wooden wall that thinly separates the bathroom and everything else outside it. This gave an illusion of a bigger and wider space given that it is just a normal size hotel room (36 sqm.).

And of course, who would not love anything that is free? It was a shock to know that the mini bar of the hotel is completely free, and they would happily replenish it for you the next day.

Located in a place that is remarkably outside the hustle and bustle of the city life, Hotel Icon gives its guests a convenient way to reach the city centre by way of their free shuttle rides. The shuttle arrives every 20 minutes from 8 AM to 10 PM and drops off guests to key city destinations such as the Middle Road (which houses the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station) and Harbour City, which contains the China Ferry Terminal that is a point of departure if you are to go to other parts of China, including Macau.

If you are the type of person who takes pleasure on exploring the city by foot, I am glad to say that the nearest MTR station, which is Hung Hom,  is just located at the back of Hotel Icon and could easily be reached by a 10-minute walk through the designated overpass.

It was unfortunate that we were not able to enjoy the swimming pool because of the weather but nonetheless it would have been a nice experience to dip in the pool while watching the Symphony of Lights from the Harbour.

I think the edge of the hotel is that it lets you in in an experience. The open and modern public spaces were all breath taking and the staff does not fail to be attentive to all of their guests’ needs. I believe they also has a Timeless Lounge where guests who arrived in early and whose flight does not leave hours after check out time could relax in. Talking about an excellent customer service!

It would have also been lovely to have a workout in their gym if not for the bed weather!  Nonetheless, if I will be given another chance to come back in the city, I would surely book myself in Hotel Icon again.

OVERALL RATING

RAVING about:

• the chic furnishings, nice view, semi infinity pool, open spaces, attentive staff, complimentary mini bar, free shuttle service, proximity to the MTR, spacious rooms, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, laundry allowance, free afternoon tea in the bar, complimentary drinks and snacks in the evening in their bar, free and fast wifi, fully equipped gym, Timeless lounge

RANTING about:

• glass dividers in their comfort room making it hard for family/people to simultaneously be inside