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We just had the chance to spend a couple of nights at the Rosewood Hong Kong, which is the hotel on this trip that I was most excited to check out.
Rosewood in general is a great hotel brand, and the Hong Kong property is the company’s flagship — Rosewood is based in Hong Kong, the hotel is owned by the Cheng family, which also owns Rosewood. So this is a point of pride for the brand and owners, and Rosewood CEO Sonia Cheng was heavily involved in designing this property, and clearly no expense was spared.
On The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 list, the Rosewood Hong Kong took the number one spot, which is obviously a massive honor. I wondered if the hotel would actually live up to the hype. While I think that list does a good job highlighting excellent hotels, I’m absolutely not willing to declare any property as the best in the world (on top of that, the list is heavily skewed toward larger hotels — there’s not a single safari lodge on there, for example).
I have to be honest, prior to my stay, I wasn’t expecting to be that impressed by the Rosewood Hong Kong. How good can a 400+ room city hotel really be? Well, after staying there, I can positively say that this is an incredible property, and all the praise I’ve heard of it from others is justified. In this post, I’d like to share some initial thoughts, and then soon I’ll have a full trip report.
Full disclosure — Ford attended a Rosewood event a while back where participants were given two-night stays at the Rosewood Hong Kong, including Manor Club access. So our accommodation were covered by the hotel, though we paid for incidentals, and all opinions expressed are my own. If you’re at all into the hotel industry, hopefully you find it interesting to see what such a highly regarded property is like.
Note that generally the best way to book Rosewood properties is through a travel advisor affiliated with the Rosewood Elite program. This offers extra perks, and can be combined with any promotions offered directly by Rosewood. Ford’s team can help with these requests, and can be reached at [email protected].
In this post:
The Rosewood Hong Kong’s interior design is unreal
Before my stay, I wasn’t sure what to make of the Rosewood’s interior design, based on the pictures on the hotel’s website. The design looks unique, and I couldn’t quite place it.
Let me take it a step further — I’ve had several OMAAT readers rave about this property’s design, while saying the pictures on the website don’t do it justice. For example, reader Clem recently wrote “room design looks a little random on the pictures, but in person it’s stunning.” I couldn’t agree more.
This really is a property you have to see in person. New York-based Tony Chi was behind the property’s interiors, and I don’t want to know how much money was spent. This property’s design feels so luxurious and unique, in a way that’s hard to describe, because I’ve never seen a design aesthetic quite like this before.
It’s elegant and quirky, and there’s an unreal attention to detail with design. More than anything, it just feels expensive and excessive. It’s sort of like the Burj Al Arab Dubai, except it doesn’t hurt your eyes. 😉 The hotel has mirrors almost everywhere except the lobby, but not in an obnoxious, W Hotels kind of way.
The lobby has more of a traditional, shiny, elegant design.
Meanwhile it’s amazing how each guest room floor has a huge seating area with what almost feels like an art exhibit.
I also realized that the reason the pictures of the hotel look kind of strange is because pictures don’t let you appreciate the amount of money that went into all of the finishes.
I’ve never seen such a deliberate and over-the-top design in terms of the amount of effort that went into it. I mean, the wallpaper in the toilets is from Loro Piana. And the design wasn’t just cool, but it was also functional.
For example, our shower had what looked like a bookshelf within it, where towels were stored, so that you could grab a towel after showering, without even having to open the door. Genius… talk about something I never knew I “needed!”
The Rosewood Hong Kong has an amazing spa, gym, and pool
As someone who likes going to the gym while traveling, the Rosewood Hong Kong might have my favorite hotel gym I’ve ever seen. It’s massive, has modern equipment, and most importantly, it has direct views of Victoria Harbour. All too often, hotels just cram gyms into windowless basements, but the gym here is a destination in and of itself.
Similarly, how cool is this infinity-edge pool overlooking Victoria Harbour (the hotel is located in Kowloon, right next to the Regent)?
The spa almost feels like a secluded resort within a city hotel, given the outdoor space. While the hotel is in a 65-story tower, this really is an escape, with all kinds of outdoor spaces.
The Rosewood Hong Kong is a dining powerhouse
The Rosewood Hong Kong feels like an urban resort, and you could easily eat here for a week without getting bored. Hong Kong is of course an amazing food city, but many of the great “fancy” restaurants are also in hotels.
The Rosewood Hong Kong has two Michelin-starred restaurants, and we had lunch at each of them. This includes the Chinese restaurant, The Legacy House, as well as the Indian restaurant, CHAAT.
These restaurants were phenomenal. And I’ve gotta say, as much as aspects of Hong Kong are expensive, dining there is quite the value. Both of our meals cost significantly less than we’d typically pay if going out to eat in Miami at a nice but unmemorable restaurant (sadly).
But that’s only the start of the food & beverage outlets. There’s also the Spanish restaurant, Bayfare Social, which had such a fun and lively vibe.
Even the jazz bar, DarkSide, is a destination in and of itself. I mean, just take a look at these ceiling sculptures — they’re meant to look like light bulbs that act as hourglasses, as they’re constantly turning, with sand flowing between them. I was amazed that every time I turned my head in this hotel, I noticed something new, in terms of design.
The Rosewood Hong Kong Manor Club is worth the splurge
Before our visit, virtually everyone had said “if you stay at the Rosewood Hong Kong, you have to do the Manor Club.” For context, this is Rosewood’s version of a club lounge, and it’s open exclusively to those who book a Manor Club room, as well as being open to all suite guests. I’m going to dedicate a separate post to this, because I think this might be the best club lounge in the world.
But here’s the bigger picture point. While the Rosewood Hong Kong is an impressive hotel, obviously it’s not going to feel super intimate in the lobby, given the amount of foot traffic (not just due to the number of rooms, but also due to the number of people visiting food & beverage outlets).
Similarly, I can imagine the general challenge with managing expectations for service, when people are expecting “the world’s best hotel,” whatever that means. All the staff we interacted with were friendly and proud to work there, but with the number of rooms, service likely won’t consistently feel that personalized for most guests.
This is why I think that if you’re going to stay at the Rosewood Hong Kong, stay in a Manor Club room. The Manor Club really feels like a hotel within a hotel, and if you book a suite, you also get butler service.
The Manor Club is physically the most beautiful hotel lounge I’ve seen, and the views from the 40th floor are incredible. The food presentations are also top notch, as is the service. Though I have to say, perhaps my favorite thing was the people watching. It felt like something straight out of “Crazy Rich Asians,” as I’ve never seen anything quite like.
Obviously this hotel is expensive in the first place, but I really do think if you’re going to splurge, the Manor Club is worth the premium. That will really give you the level of service you expect from a property of this caliber.
Just as an example, on our dates, the base rooms were going for around $800, a Manor Club room was going for around $1,100, and suites started at around $1,200. These are steep rates in absolute terms, though Hong Kong is one of the better value luxury hotel markets (considering the price of real estate in the city), when compared to places like London, New York, Paris, etc. In particular, the incremental pricing for suites isn’t that high, and you get a lot of value (compare that to places like the Tampa EDITION).
Bottom line
The Rosewood Hong Kong is probably the most impressive large city hotel I’ve ever stayed in. The hotel has design unlike anything I’ve seen before, and you really have to see it in person to appreciate it.
Beyond that, the hotel has amazing views of Victoria Harbour, friendly service, extensive and impressive food & beverage outlets, and a top notch gym with views. If you are going to stay here, I think the Manor Club really is worth the splurge, because otherwise aspects of the experience might feel a bit impersonal.
What’s your take on the Rosewood Hong Kong?
Please do not review comped hotels or airlines. I've been reading OMAAT for years and independence is a key to your success.
I disagree. It’s vital that stays, flights, or experiences provided on a complimentary basis are clearly and openly declared as such, and Ben is always scrupulous about this. It’s up to the reader to apply their own filter to reviews so declared. In this case, Ben’s glowing report is in keeping with the hotel’s awarded status as “best in the world’. We are, of course, entitled to disagree with both the award and Ben’s review if we so desire.
May I suggest a compromise? Ben can continue to review these properties for those who enjoy the reviews, and you simply don't read them.
Is there any advantage to booking via a luxury travel advisor (i.e similar to the free breakfast, upgrades etc when booking 4 Seasons, or Hyatt Prive etc)
@Ben…your article mentions $800, $1,100 and $1,200…I’m guessing you mean USD but it’s not clear the you don’t mean HKD. Twenty sovereign countries use their own version of a dollar. The $ sign can mean something very different to someone else. I think it would help your international audience to provide the ISO currency codes when you review hotel prices outside of the US (CAD, AUD, NZD, HKD, SGD etc. or USD if you are converting)
“our shower had what looked like a bookshelf within it, where towels were stored, so that you could grab a towel after showering, without even having to open the door” ..the Marriott Courtyard at Irvine Spectrum has the same thing ;-)
Build a Trump tower next to it and I will visit Hong Kong. President Trump is the greatest leader the world has ever seen.
Being from Dallas, I still take pride in the fact that the Rosewood Hotel Group was started by the Hunt family and to this day, it's still a treat to go to the Mansion on Turtle Creek here in Dallas. Glad to hear that Rosewood is still maintaining the high standards that it has always had.
I urge you to experience your website on a mobile phone. It is literally unusable because of the ads (cannot scroll because the ad covers the entire page)
Switch to Brave browser. It will change your life online.
I do not have this experience. I read with stock Chrome and get a small, easily dismissible ad on the bottom 20% of the screen.
And to think, at one point in time that Rosewood almost linked up with Hyatt.
Color me shocked that no expense is spared in design but the suites still have a non-electric toilet (no heated seats!). HK is known for setting the AC on frigid and those icy cold porcelain seats are a rude morning awakening for me.
Look forward to your in-depth review of the Manor Club!
meh -truly meh. Obviously the rosewood owners have some influence on the rankings!
A room without butler service in totality beneath someone with your status in life. Lol
@ jcil -- Sorry, what have I said that suggests I feel that way? I stay at a lot more hotels that don't have butler service than that do, but when available (and useful), it's a service worth mentioning.
Yeah we get it, you're bougie. What's the point of so many posts about hotels that you can't book with points on a miles and points blog?
@ Mantis -- I discussed this a bit in a recent post:
https://onemileatatime.com/insights/hotel-industry-evolved-preferences/
The reality is that these hotels are bookable with points through credit card travel portals, there are credit cards offering credits at these hotels, etc.
The Waldorf Astoria Maldives is bookable with points, but at the rate of 250K points per night. How useful is that for the average traveler?
Pay no mind to the negative comments like "your bougie." I think you're anything but that, and your reviews re always very candid and objective. You're the only travel blogger I read regularly, and it's because you do not come across as arrogant and you have credibility. Keep up the good work!
@Mantis
I for one appreciate the different perspective given by reviewing boutique/luxury hotels outside of the big points chains. It offers a a meaningful and valuable comparison in terms of expected service and hard product at a given price point. Not to mention Ben's (accurate) observation that many luxury/aspirational points hotels aren't actually realistically bookable with points these days, either due to the insane per night point cost or hotels increasingly playing availability games.
@Mantis
I for one appreciate the different perspective given by reviewing boutique/luxury hotels outside of the big points chains. It offers a a meaningful and valuable comparison in terms of expected service and hard product at a given price point. Not to mention Ben's (accurate) observation that many luxury/aspirational points hotels aren't actually realistically bookable with points these days, either due to the insane per night point cost or hotels increasingly playing availability games.
Just to pile on - these reviews are extremely useful because there is a pretty massive gap for high quality luxury hotel reviews. You basically have CN Traveler and the like, which are both shallow and biased - more like a paid advertisement than a true review.
I’m a big fan of your work Ben but I just don’t like that you and Ford seem to be in cahoots nowadays. Your credibility has historically come from your impartiality and policy of not accepting comped rooms. Whether it’s you or Ford accepting the “hospitality” is beside the point - your household is accepting these freebies and the conflict of interest is evident.
I think this results in a review that’s way...
I’m a big fan of your work Ben but I just don’t like that you and Ford seem to be in cahoots nowadays. Your credibility has historically come from your impartiality and policy of not accepting comped rooms. Whether it’s you or Ford accepting the “hospitality” is beside the point - your household is accepting these freebies and the conflict of interest is evident.
I think this results in a review that’s way below standard and very superficial. There is so little detail and so few specifics that I almost felt you had a tour of the hotel rather than staying! Im sure you did stay, so maybe this isn’t meant to be a review but a gushing endorsement? I don’t mean to be unkind but I think you’re diminishing your (well earned) reputation.
To be fair on Ben, he made it quite clear this was not the full review and multiple more in-depth articles are to come. Your criticism may come from a reasonable place but the apparent lack of reading comprehension undermines it.
@ Tony -- I appreciate you reading, and the feedback. This isn't the actual review, but just a preview, as I often do for hotel stays. There will be a full review with thousands of words and 100+ pictures coming soon.
I hear you about these kinds of reviews being less independent, and that's fair. Ultimately I still try to separate things out, and be transparent. A vast majority of my hotel stays are paid...
@ Tony -- I appreciate you reading, and the feedback. This isn't the actual review, but just a preview, as I often do for hotel stays. There will be a full review with thousands of words and 100+ pictures coming soon.
I hear you about these kinds of reviews being less independent, and that's fair. Ultimately I still try to separate things out, and be transparent. A vast majority of my hotel stays are paid for out of pocket, and I try to make that clear.
The reality is that when Ford earns or receives a stay somewhere at a hotel that interests me, I can't help but tag along, out of interest, if nothing else. But I get it, and I respect your point. :-)
It's on the wrong side of the harbour for me.
So Pete, what is wrong with mainland Hong Kong? Just interested, not critical.
I'm not sure if this is 100% accurate (I was only there for a week) but I think the biggest difference is the mix of tourists on each side of the river, and the restaurant/bars/scene that this leads to. In Kowloon it seemed to be almost entirely Mainland Chinese, which meant that the scene was mostly targted at them with a few HK Cafes etc. remaining. On HK Island it was a much broader mix...
I'm not sure if this is 100% accurate (I was only there for a week) but I think the biggest difference is the mix of tourists on each side of the river, and the restaurant/bars/scene that this leads to. In Kowloon it seemed to be almost entirely Mainland Chinese, which meant that the scene was mostly targted at them with a few HK Cafes etc. remaining. On HK Island it was a much broader mix (still some Mainlanders but mixed in with Westerners and other Asians) which seemed to lead a higher concentration of the mix of food/drink outlets that I went to HK hoping to find.
When a gushing review comes to the conclusion that "aspects of the experience might feel a bit impersonal", I think I can safely conclude that the hotel doesn't meet the mark claiming to be the best hotel in the world. Even when you cheekily already limit this to "large city hotel" (whatever that means... only city hotels with 400+ keys?).
I am also missing a picture of the welcome amenity and assume this was also...
When a gushing review comes to the conclusion that "aspects of the experience might feel a bit impersonal", I think I can safely conclude that the hotel doesn't meet the mark claiming to be the best hotel in the world. Even when you cheekily already limit this to "large city hotel" (whatever that means... only city hotels with 400+ keys?).
I am also missing a picture of the welcome amenity and assume this was also not meeting the standard of what a discerning traveller would expect in a suite or the best hotel in the world.
Reading your hotel and flight reviews in Asia, I feel you are just very easily impressed - standards in the region are much higher than what people get to experience in the US. There are different shades of good and you sometimes seem to be unable to distinguish them.
@ SMK77 -- Actually, the welcome amenity consisted of tarts with caviar, so I think it's one that a "discerning traveller" would appreciate. This isn't a full review, but instead, is intended to be a preview. It's intentionally kept shorter. I'll have all the details in the full review.
For the record, the hotel isn't making the claim that it's the best in the world, based on its own criteria. It was awarded that by...
@ SMK77 -- Actually, the welcome amenity consisted of tarts with caviar, so I think it's one that a "discerning traveller" would appreciate. This isn't a full review, but instead, is intended to be a preview. It's intentionally kept shorter. I'll have all the details in the full review.
For the record, the hotel isn't making the claim that it's the best in the world, based on its own criteria. It was awarded that by another organization, and it's simply stating that it received this honor.
As I've said year after year when the 50 Best list is published, personally I don't consider any huge hotel to be the single best in the world. But because of how the system of awarding this works, those are often the hotels that win. That's why I think the hotels that win are generally excellent, but maybe not necessarily the absolute best (an honor that I don't think can easily be determined anyway).
"For the record, the hotel isn't making the claim that it's the best in the world, based on its own criteria. It was awarded that by another organization, and it's simply stating that it received this honor."
I don't understand. If I am telling everyone I am awarded Number 1 hotel in the world, I am not telling the world that I am Number 2? What is the hotel trying to say here?
They are...
"For the record, the hotel isn't making the claim that it's the best in the world, based on its own criteria. It was awarded that by another organization, and it's simply stating that it received this honor."
I don't understand. If I am telling everyone I am awarded Number 1 hotel in the world, I am not telling the world that I am Number 2? What is the hotel trying to say here?
They are charging 800 USD a night for impersonal service and they can get away with it because they don't claim they are the best hotel?
But in short: you have no view and will not communicate one even if the hotel clearly is not one of the best? Surreal.
@ SMK77 -- I think we're talking past one another here. The hotel isn't trying to "say" anything here. The hotel was awarded first place by an independent, third party. I'm just mentioning that award was done, not that the Rosewood Hong Kong is screaming from the rooftops "we're the best hotel in the world, bow down to us!"
Regarding service, I'm simply making the point that based on my experience, no hotel in the...
@ SMK77 -- I think we're talking past one another here. The hotel isn't trying to "say" anything here. The hotel was awarded first place by an independent, third party. I'm just mentioning that award was done, not that the Rosewood Hong Kong is screaming from the rooftops "we're the best hotel in the world, bow down to us!"
Regarding service, I'm simply making the point that based on my experience, no hotel in the world with (let's say) 300+ rooms is going to have truly personal service for every guest who walks in, unlike a hotel with 30 rooms. I don't think that's a controversial take, that's just a function of math.
And maybe, just maybe this hotel gets to the top of the list in part by giving free stays to travel advisors like Ford....
“I don’t want to know how much money was spent”
By now, NWD shareholders would like to know ;)
The hotel is owned by Cheng family. It has nothing to do with NWD
The Peninsular Hotel is actually a truly classic, historic Hong Kong Hotel. It possesses real grandeur, being both exceptionally elegant and nostalgic too. The Rolls Royce airport pickup and drop off completes the overall unforgettable experience.
The Rosewood is an expensive modern, New Hong Kong, anywhere in the world hotel.
Agree
My experience there was very different. I was very excited to stay there, and the Rolls Royce transfer was epic, but besides that I thought it was completely soulless. Tired rooms, influencers and tour groups everywhere, virtually inexistent service... Maybe I had bad luck but it was enough for me to never want to return, at that price point.
An interesting observation Clem, can one assume that your stay was prior to the extensive restoration works in 2024?
Nope, just a couple of months ago!
I need to see a picture of this revolutionary towel shelf ASAP! :D
They've had these at 2-star hotels for 70 years. Its called a towel rack, and it's that metal thing at the end of the shower/tub combo.
LOL, at least we know Gene never stayed at this property before because it's not like what you think at all.
Indeed, and I doubt I ever will (although $1,100 for a suite is an attractive price). I'm fare more likely to stay at Grand Hyatt or InterContinental with a free suite upgrade for less than half of that price.
I’m not surprised you found eating at a restaurant was a decent value. We are so conditioned to expect extortion from a restaurant in the US. One of the nicest things about traveling is rediscovering food and drink at fair prices.
Agreed. I'm in the UK so used to an all-in price declared up front but last time in NYC, what looked like a reasonable price for Michelin starred food (Nix, Kajitsu and Dovetail, all since closed unfortunately) soon escalates once sales tax and an effectively mandatory tip are added. Food was good at all three though, though Dovetail gets docked a few points for twice bringing me meat dishes when I'd said I was vegetarian...
Agreed. I'm in the UK so used to an all-in price declared up front but last time in NYC, what looked like a reasonable price for Michelin starred food (Nix, Kajitsu and Dovetail, all since closed unfortunately) soon escalates once sales tax and an effectively mandatory tip are added. Food was good at all three though, though Dovetail gets docked a few points for twice bringing me meat dishes when I'd said I was vegetarian in the booking and on arrival! I got an apology from the GM but don't know whether the done thing would have been to reduce the tip below 20%?
If it were comped, I would stay here too. However, I'm someone that will drive 90 minutes and stay overnight at a Holiday Inn Express for a mini-getaway to make sure my free night cert doesn't expire unused.
Ben- regarding design, I have to assume you've been to the Inn at Little Washington and experienced their over-the-top design? (If not, why not?) While not of the same style as this Rosewood, the exhaggerated feel is also showcased elsewhere.
Beautiful. Ben, would you recommend paying extra for the Club Manor access, or, just go with entry-level, using a program like FHR, hope for upgrade to a decent view, etc.?
Obviously not inexpensive, but those room rates (especially for suites) are substantially less expensive than I would have expected. There are so many lesser hotels that cost more (sometimes considerably so).
Looks like JW Marriott. Hard pass....
Looks amazing, but as for the towel shelf in the shower, I've seen that many times, including, say, a Hilton Garden Inn.
Agreed
I thought the same thing! That didn't seem so revolutionary to me, but perhaps there is something unique about this towel shelf?
It’s not a shelf. The showers in the suites have two separate entrances and two separated sets of rain heads. Between them on the wall side is a marble bench built into the tiling. Opposite that is a glass cabinet with a glass door. Inside the glass cabinet are fresh towels. You have a shower, sit and steam on the bench then take a towel from the cabinet to dry yourself or wear and then you exit the shower. Perhaps not life changing but pleasant.
Glad you liked it too! Your experience and sentiment mirror mine (minus I didn't stay there for free, sadly lol), and you put it nicely, it feels like no expense was spared in the room design and materials used. The wall treatments are crazy. And unlike a lot of modern ultra luxury hotels, it actually feels warm and homey. Makes me want to go back soon!
Your Frontier headline needs reworking Ben
Needs more dragons on the walls.
Most chaps take their ‘dragons’ with them Ronnie …. they are not ‘wasted’ on the walls either …. used as ‘bed warmers’ perhaps? :-)