Upper House Hong Kong: An Excellent, Unconventional, Simple, Luxury Hotel

I stayed there around 2011 and also really liked it.

Before Covid, the restaurant was named “Café Gray Deluxe”.
Great food & drinks! Fun times!

The amenity kit bag looks a lot like what you would get on Cathay, hah!

And the colour palette looks similar to Cathay's Aria product or their lounges 😉

I do love the minimalism though. I don't need anything gaudy like one would get on Emirates or some luxury hotel in Dubai. I enjoy minimalism more.

Remember this hotel is owned by Swire Hotels who in turn is controlling shareholder of Cathay Paciic.

I'm so glad you liked it, having loved my previous stays and since I usually end up agreeing with all of your reviews. I rave about the hotel because they offer personalized service for a city hotel and make you feel like you're at home. For example, I was talking with one staff member about wanting to ride the trams but not sure the protocol, and they gave me instructions and coins out of their own wallet to pay the fare. Coming back later in the day, a different staff member asked me how I enjoyed the tram experience which felt good being remembered. And for $700/night that's reasonable in comparison to the four figures charged in most cities.

One thing I don't understand in your review though "While you’ll find the most iconic views from Hong Kong Island, the views from this area are pretty great as well". The Upper House is on Hong Kong Island, so I'm confused what you're saying here.

The hotel owners also own Cathay Pacific, so good catch.

Rosewood HK is for the maximalist.
Upper House HK is for the minimalist.

This property used to be serviced apartments, before a major renovation, so that explains why the entry level studios are so massive.

My take on The Upper House, Hong Kong. Just another blot on the HK Island landscape which is eminently forgettable. That said, please fill your boots if you cannot stretch to the best.

When was your stay? The city tram takes visa/mastercard nowadays...

The Island Shangrila is way better than the upper house. You habe the choice between the renovated ultra modern rooms vs the classic rooms which are my favorite. The amazing lobster bar for great cocktails and dinner...amongst other many amazing restaurants. Needless to say the newly renovated gym, wellness center are amazing. Next time try that instead 🙂

Mayur, please recheck your information as you will find that “Swire Hotels”do not have a controlling share holding in CX.
John Swire & Sons Limited, a private UK company, actually owns Swire Pacific. Swire Pacific owns Swire Hotels who own The Upper House. Therefore, it is Swire Pacific who owns about 45% of CX shares. However, they are not strictly controlling shareholders.

Point to note: SP has offered decades of agreeable returns on one’s investment.

Sadly you too are wrong in your assumption Super. Please see my post above.

Furthermore Jon, it was the site of the former British Army Wellington Barracks. Some of us remember it well.

…. 🙂 Some of us stayed on the site at various times in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, in those days it was a British Army Barracks complex. Over 100 years of British military history attached to the site.

Over 100 years of oppression, war crimes, atrocities, and imperialism.

But propaganda has already brainwashed this obsolete Brit.

Real Eskimo? Fake Aero? Both fake??

‘We were upgraded to a suite on account of our Virtuoso booking and high occupancy’

Another reason Ben and Ford were probably upgraded ahead of others who may have also booked via Virtuoso or AMEX FHR is that Ben is a highly regarded and well known travel blogger and Ford is a travel advisor.

Upper House makes no sense. This should be a Park Hyatt

This scenario was in 2017, but have been back since. Unsure if the trams accepted cards in '17 or if they did, then foreign cards.

Hey Ben, wondering when you will review PS LAX (the salon, PS Direct service, etc) I think it would make a very interesting updated review of this popular service, specially with their new locations coming soon (DFW & MIA)!

Also, when are you flying Azul from VCP to Florida?

How about a review of the Peninsula Hong Kong?

Also Shangrila is great for traveling with babies they have a full floor with dedicated amenities for them like food making machines and baby clothes washing facilities

Out of interest, what is the best at this price point for HK?

That martini is beyond filthy!!

Pedro, being absolutely honest with you and serious too, I am not the right person to answer that question. You see I am biased towards The Peninsula. As one of many shareholders in both HSH (and Swire Holdings) we do enjoy certain ‘privileges’ at the Peninsula.

Whilst The Peninsula was undergoing renovation works in 2024, we stayed at The Mandarin Oriental. I can recommend it as a second choice, after The Peninsula of course …. 🙂

Most people appreciate either minimalist modern or traditional elegance. HK, offers many choices at various price points. My lifelong favourite might not be to everyone’s taste.

I hope this helps you in your quest, I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful.

No pool

EskimoBot …. Throwing around buzzwords does not make you informed … it just makes you appear ignorant. If you have actual facts to support your wild accusations instead of recycled outrage, please feel free to share them. I will look forward to offering you the benefit of my knowledge and experience.

Didn’t he do this several years ago shortly after it opened?

"we paid around $700 for our one-night stay"

There is no scenario where this is good value.