Hong Kong is a foodie paradise, offering everything from affordable Bib Gourmand selections to upscale Michelin-starred restaurants. It’s a shopping haven where shopaholics can haul their bags from Causeway Bay to Tsim Sha Tsui.
It’s also a playground for kids and adults alike, from Cheung Chau Island to Lamma Island, and from Disneyland to Ocean Park—there’s something for everyone.
Most importantly, Hong Kong is home to numerous luxury hotels: the Rosewood, The Upper House, MO, The Peninsula… It’s a must-visit for any hotel enthusiast.
This time, I stayed at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong for four days and three nights, and it was so delightful that I still recall it vividly.
If everyone has a “legendary” hotel in their heart, for me, it would be this one.
It stands as the benchmark for Grand Hyatt hotels in China and epitomizes high-rise luxury. If I may say so, it’s a regret if you haven’t stayed at this Grand Hyatt at least once in your life.
From the iconic wedding of Peter Zheng and Bonnie Pang, to being the first choice for international politicians and business tycoons, the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong has naturally become legendary.
As widely known, Grand Hyatt is one of Hyatt’s luxury brands. Currently, there are 61 Grand Hyatts globally, 13 of which are in mainland China, with one each in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
Compared to the youthful and trendy Hyatt, and the reserved elegance of Park Hyatt, I prefer the Grand Hyatt’s bold and grandiose aura.
With locations that dominate city skylines and offer unparalleled views, each Grand Hyatt becomes a city’s shining star.
Anywhere in the world, Grand Hyatt hotels are always situated in prime locations, standing unchallenged.
· The Grand Hyatt Shanghai is perched 420 meters high in Jin Mao Tower, holding the record for the world’s highest Grand Hyatt.
· The Grand Hyatt Macau is housed in the iconic complex City of Dreams, next to the world’s most spectacular water show, “The House of Dancing Water.”
· The Grand Hyatt Taipei is located in the bustling Xinyi District, right next to the iconic Taipei 101.
This made me incredibly excited about visiting the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, especially since it is the only Cat6 Grand Hyatt hotel in China.
First, let’s talk about the past and present of Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.
In the 1980s, the world’s first Grand Hyatt officially opened in New York, USA. A decade later, with the grand opening of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, the first Grand Hyatt in Greater China also officially opened its doors to guests.
In 2016, the hotel undertook a major renovation of all its rooms and suites. It wasn’t until last year that it reopened to the public with a completely new look.
Just from its location, you can already tell how extraordinary this Grand Hyatt is.
Located by the waterfront of Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island, the hotel stands next to the soaring Convention Centre. The handover ceremony between the Chinese and British governments on July 1, 1997, was held in the Grand Hall of the Convention Centre’s new wing. The then 8-year-old Grand Hyatt witnessed this sacred historical moment.
With the newly built Convention Centre MTR station now in service, it takes only ten minutes to get to Tsim Sha Tsui or Causeway Bay. It’s also very convenient to walk to the Star Ferry. The abundance of Michelin-starred restaurants near Central makes this location a coveted spot.
Because it is near Victoria Harbour, the hotel’s earliest design concept was based on that of a luxury cruise ship. Staying here feels like boarding a luxurious vessel cruising on Victoria Harbour.
Upon arriving at the hotel, it’s hard not to be impressed by its grandeur.
Stepping into the lobby feels like entering the atrium of a cruise ship. The “hull” towers three stories tall right before your eyes.
The red and black color scheme adds a touch of sophistication, while the massive marble columns and spiral staircases on either side bring the concept of a “luxury hotel” to its pinnacle.
Accompanied by elegant piano music, the moment feels like a romantic waltz at sea. In such a setting, one might even feel an urge to dance along with the melody.
The hotel’s corridors also offer captivating glimpses, adorned with the striking Grand Hyatt red (the brand’s signature color) and old photos of Hong Kong taken by artists. It gives global travelers a direct insight into the city’s history.
What’s even more delightful is that the hotel not only embodies grandeur but also pays meticulous attention to detail, blending art and aesthetics into every tiny aspect.
For instance, the artworks sourced from around the world, murals, and sculptures created by invited artists are all meticulously chosen.
Although the hotel opened in 1989, it underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2016. Over 30 years of history have not left many traces of time on the hotel; instead, it has added a touch of charm.
The guest rooms were entirely redesigned by BAR Studio from Melbourne. This design firm is renowned, having also designed the Rosewood Beijing, Park Hyatt Sydney, and the Hyatt Melbourne.
The hotel boasts a total of 542 rooms, with over 60% of them offering direct views of Victoria Harbour. Since you’ve chosen to stay at the Grand Hyatt, it’s definitely worth spending a bit more on a room with a better view.
I stayed in a Deluxe King Room, which starts at 40 square meters. This size is quite remarkable in the high-demand real estate market of Hong Kong. Upon entering the room, the most eye-catching feature is the 180-degree view of Victoria Harbour, looking down at the “soaring” Convention Centre.
The room’s overall design follows a modern, new Chinese style, with a black solid wood round table paired with square chairs, embodying a sense of moderate balance.
The wall art in the room is also carefully selected. Attentive guests might notice that the painting is not placed directly above the bed. It is said that placing it where it is now allows the sunlight to cast the best light on it.
Attention to detail truly highlights dedication.
The bathroom and bedroom are semi-open, with a retractable blind separating the room from the bathtub.
In the evening, you can raise the blind, comfortably soak in a hot bath, and directly face the view of Victoria Harbour outside the window. Such an experience is not something every hotel can offer.
The vanity area is thoughtfully equipped with lighting designed for beauty enthusiasts, and the amenities are from the Paris haute couture brand BALMAIN, which many Grand Hyatt hotels now use.
After using them, I felt the shampoo was a bit drying, but the shower gel was sweet and fragrant, quite suitable for women.
The minibar is quite comprehensive, offering juices, beer, and small bottles of whiskey. The downside is that they are not complimentary, but no worries. I recommend booking a suite with executive privileges directly, which I will detail later.
The three-night stay was extraordinarily memorable. Every night, gazing at the Victoria Harbour scenery, holding a glass of red wine, and starting to type away, even though rushing deadlines was tough, the surroundings made it all worthwhile.
Some say Grand Hyatt is only suitable for business travelers, but that is a huge misunderstanding. The Hong Kong Grand Hyatt practically screams romance.
The hotel has also designed Ambassador Suites specifically for higher-tier VIPs. Although I didn’t have the chance to stay, I was fortunate enough to tour them.
The suite is larger with even more spectacular views, and there are only five of them. If your budget allows, staying for a night in one of these suites would undoubtedly be a stroke of good fortune in life.
The suites are designed in two styles: “Scholar Traveler” and “Bohemian.”
The “Scholar Traveler” style is more traditional Chinese, with artistic treasures and books from around the world adorning the room;
The “Bohemian” style is more opulent, featuring a black and gold color scheme that instantly conveys nobility.
Near the entrance, there’s a small kitchen equipped with a refrigerator and oven. Beside the living room, there’s a dining area with a table that seats four, utilizing every space to its fullest potential.
I really liked the ethnic-themed decorative mural next to the bed. It’s eye-catching but not jarring, with an element of Bohemian freedom and flair.
In my spare time, I would lounge in the chair by the window, enjoying the view, daydreaming—it truly encapsulated the essence of “in this, there is a true meaning that words cannot describe.”
The suite offers a 360-degree view of Victoria Harbour. From the living room to the bedroom, you can almost enjoy an uninterrupted view of the harbour.
Additionally, checking into a suite does not happen on the first floor. For convenience and privacy, check-in is handled directly on the 30th-floor Grand Club.
Whether a hotel is worth staying at largely depends on its dining options. During my four days and three nights at the Grand Hyatt, I almost ate from morning till night every day. Upon returning to Hangzhou, my boss remarked that I had gained a bit of weight.
Who can resist the temptation of good food, after all?
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong boasts a total of 11 restaurants and bars, such as Tiffin Tea Lounge, Grissini Italian Restaurant, Grand Hyatt Steakhouse, One Harbour Road Chinese Restaurant, and Teppanroom. Let’s focus on some key highlights.
Executive Lounge (31st Floor Grand Club)
As I mentioned earlier, if conditions permit, I highly recommend booking a suite with executive privileges. It’s absolutely worth the money. The Grand Club is exclusively for guests staying on the Grand Club floors and in suites.
Firstly, the view is excellent. After climbing the spiral staircase from the 30th floor Grand Club, a whole floor of VIP lounge area unfolds before you, with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows on the left capturing the entirety of Victoria Harbour.
Secondly, the variety is comprehensive, and the service spans a long duration. Breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening happy hour are all included. Additionally, free tea, coffee, and champagne are available all day, which is very generous.
Breakfast is served from 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM, accommodating both early risers and those who prefer to sleep in. The breakfast selection is very rich and fresh.
Each day, different menu cards are placed on the dining tables, featuring the chef’s daily specials, which can be ordered through the wait staff.
The hotel staff are very enthusiastic and willing to assist. Don’t worry if you don’t speak English or Cantonese; they can answer all your questions in Mandarin.
Afternoon tea is from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
The afternoon tea features typical British fare. My favorite is the Canelé; its layered texture is very distinctive, not excessively sweet, and pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee.
You can choose a seat by the window and enjoy your afternoon tea slowly.
In the evening, there is a happy hour from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
Although it’s called happy hour, it can easily serve as a full dinner. Various fried foods, homemade smoked salmon, vegetable salads, and stir-fried dishes make for a rich spread.
The key highlight is the unlimited supply of high-quality champagne. I would call it the pinnacle of executive lounges in the Greater China Region, and I suspect no one would disagree with me.
Café
The café, located next to the check-in area on the first floor, also serves as the hotel’s buffet restaurant, offering buffet breakfast and dinner.
The breakfast selection is quite abundant, including both Chinese and Western options, with a wide variety of freshly prepared dishes and many authentic Hong Kong flavors.
Dinner requires an additional charge, priced at 748 HKD per person (Monday to Thursday) and 798 HKD per person (Friday and public holidays).
A certain Hong Kong magazine once secretly reviewed and voted Grand Hyatt’s buffet dinner as the “Ultimate Buffet King.” After experiencing it myself, I can attest that the variety is indeed extensive. Even among similar-star hotels, it stands out effortlessly.
Giant Boston lobsters, sweet and succulent Australian tiger prawns, and fresh crabs… Just these alone would justify the price!
It’s worth mentioning their homemade ice cream, which I’ve heard has won awards. The one I tried was mango sticky rice flavored; it was incredibly soft and creamy with no ice crystals at all.
Grissini Italian Restaurant
This Italian restaurant focuses on traditional Italian flavors. The name “Grissini” actually comes from freshly baked breadsticks. When you step into the restaurant, you see a large oven, and all the wines in the wine cabinet have been carefully selected by the sommelier from Italy.
The whole restaurant has a very chill vibe with a strong Italian ambiance. With the sea just outside the window, it feels almost as if you are sailing on the ocean.
Open-air Poolside Restaurant
On the 11th floor of the hotel, there’s also a very exquisite open-air poolside restaurant.
The exterior view offers scenes of Central, while the interior provides a setting under lush trees where you can enjoy a variety of barbecue dishes. This restaurant is one of the most popular spots during the summer and fall.
Next to the restaurant is the Waterfall Bar, an open-air poolside lounge where you can enjoy a drink while taking in the evening breeze and night views.
Lastly, the Hyatt’s facilities are also remarkable.
The open-air swimming pool is a standard 50-meter heated pool, located on the 11th floor of the hotel, adjacent to the poolside restaurant. While it’s not the highest pool in Hong Kong, the view is still excellent.
The pool is surrounded by lush green plants, and the shadows of the trees create a leisure ambiance. The shimmering light on the leaves gives a very comfortable feeling.
On the same floor as the pool, there’s also a 24-hour indoor gym and a spa.
I’ve been back from Hong Kong for over a month now, but the memories of my stay at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong are still as pure as gold, shining brightly no matter how time passes.
If you’re a fan of Hyatt, this is definitely a place you must stay. After all, a good hotel experience can elevate an entire trip, which I’m sure you all understand.
By the way, I heard that starting April 1st, the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed rail will add 62 new cross-border routes. You can now take a direct train from Hangzhou to Hong Kong, making the trip even more convenient.
I’m already looking forward to my next visit to the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.
