I had a 10 hour daytime layover at Hong Kong Airport. Typically I’d probably just “rough it” at Cathay Pacific’s The Wing First Class Lounge (or now the new Qantas Lounge), though I had caught a cold in the Maldives, and I knew the fastest way to recovery would be to get some “real” sleep between longhauls.
So I decided to check out the rates for the Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong, which is the only hotel directly connected to the terminal in Hong Kong. The rate for a dayroom was ~1,150HKD, which is ~$150USD. That included a 10 hour stay between 9AM and 9PM, as well as the following:
- A 55 minute body massage
- Complimentary in-room internet for up to four devices
- Free access to the fitness center
As I wrote about shortly before my stay, I thought getting a 55 minute massage as part of a ~$150 room rate was an exceptional value.
Shortly after booking, the hotel emailed me to confirm at what time I’d like my massage, so I made that appointment.
Upon landing from Male I exited immigration, where fortunately there was no queue. Once inside the arrivals hall I turned left and followed the signage towards the Regal Airport Hotel. The hotel is already visible in the distance when looking beyond the terminal.
Hong Kong Airport terminal
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong signage
At the far end of the terminal is the walkway to the hotel, whereby you just turn left and keep walking.
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong signage
After about a five minute walk down a long corridor, you’ll find yourself at the entrance to the hotel.
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong walkway
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong exterior
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong walkway
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong entrance
The lobby is extremely airy and bright, with a cafe immediately at the entrance on the right.
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong lobby
The lobby has tons of seating, and then at the far end of the triangular atrium is the check-in desk.
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong lobby
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong lobby
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong lobby
There was no queue at check-in, though there was an Air India crew gathering to the side of the check-in desk (not exactly a glam Hong Kong layover!). The associate who checked me in was friendly and efficient, and within a minute I had a key to my room. For what it’s worth, it was 8:05AM at this point. In my book 20 minutes from plane to hotel room after an international flight isn’t half bad!
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong check-in
The elevators were located to the side of the check-in desk, and I took one up to the 7th floor.
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong elevators
While the lobby is fairly modern and bright, the hallways are definitely a bit more “drab.”
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong hallway
My room, 7111, was located just a handful of doors down the hall from the elevators.
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong room entrance
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong floorplan
The room was perfectly serviceable, though could use a renovation at some point. The room featured two beds — best I could tell, one was a double bed and one was a twin bed. The mattresses weren’t Westin Heavenly Beds, though they weren’t rock-hard either.
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong Superior Twin room
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong Superior room
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong Superior room
Opposite the beds was a desk, and to the left of that was a flat screen TV on a stand.
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong Superior room desk
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong Superior room TV
The bathroom was also fine, and featured a sink, toilet, and shower/tub combo.
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong Superior room bathroom
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong Superior room toilet
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong Superior room shower
There were plenty of non-branded toiletries, as well as a few bottles of water.
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong Superior room toiletries
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong Superior room bottled water
The room faced the interior of the hotel, though the extent of me opening the curtains was to take this picture, so that didn’t bother me. 😉
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong Superior room view
While I had a massage scheduled for 1PM, I really wasn’t feeling well by the time I was ready to sleep, so I decided to cancel it in lieu of more sleep, since I figured feeling better was the top priority. As much as I love massages, they’re not all that fun when your nose is running.
I feel asleep at around 8:30AM, and slept until around 2PM. I felt much better upon waking up.
After quickly hopping in the shower I decided to take a look at the hotel’s facilities. In addition to the fitness center and spa, the hotel had a fairly nice indoor pool. I don’t see myself ever using a pool during a day stay at an airport hotel in Hong Kong, but if you’re traveling with kids, maybe that’s more interesting.
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong spa
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong pool
Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong pool
At around 3PM I was bright eyed and bushy tailed, and headed back towards the airport. The check out experience was quick, and 10 minutes later I found myself in the security and immigration queue to once again enter the airside terminal.
Bottom line
Back in the day I would have never considered getting a room at a hotel during a day layover at an airport. That being said, I wasn’t feeling well and I’m getting old (or at least the number of miles I’ve flown suggests I am), so when you combine those two factors, getting some “real” sleep between longhaul flights is something which is important to me.
The Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong hit the spot. Is the Marriott Hong Kong Airport nicer? Yep. But it also requires a shuttle ride, which I didn’t want to have to deal with during a quick layover. The fact that they offer a 55 minute massage with the day-room rate is the icing on the cake, and something I hope to take advantage of the next time I have a day layover in Hong Kong.
What’s your threshold for getting a hotel room during a long layover, and do you have any favorite airport hotels?
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