From dreamy suites to butler magic, the much fêted luxury city hotel, opened in 2019, is out to impress.
The St. Regis has been hyped up since being one the most exciting openings in Hong Kong in years. For this review, we are coming in blind, but with great expectations. First impressions count, and the arrival at St. Regis is deliberately dramatic and grand, but not cold.
From the moment giant doors are swept open, a hushed intimacy sets the tone. The cavernous lobby, designed by André Fu, balances lavish textures with a subtle East-meets-West aesthetic that’s distinctively Hong Kong. You’ll notice this playfulness everywhere: a “curated mansion” look is layered with Art Deco Manhattan chic and just enough Chinese traditional elements to feel local, but stay global in ambition.
A stylish sanctum
It’s the rooms – luxurious, modern, minimalist and Chinese-inspired – that really underline the hotel’s reputation. Spacious by Hong Kong standards, my corner room showcased thoughtful yet beautifully styled touches: blackout curtains on demand, an intuitive tablet that operated everything in sight, a collectable St. Regis teddy bear, and a bed so plush it almost convinced me to skip my meetings. Marble-soaked bathrooms, rainforest showers, and soft lighting brought a much needed sense of calm. Huge windows offer up striking views of the famous Hong Kong harbour skyline, impressive day or night.
The spa and fitness areas were uncrowded, new, with eager to please therapists. The swimming pool, whilst not huge, offered a little sanctuary to sunbathe, swim or simply take a breather above the energetic pulse on the ground. With personable service that’s made a name for itself in the city, the St. Regis gives luxury boutique vibes.
Culture, cuisine and cocktails
Dining is elevated to an art form here. Two Michelin-starred Rùn brings refined Cantonese, under Chef Hung Chi-Kwong. Then the also Michelin-starred L’Envol, under Chef Olivier Elzer, offers French gastronomy fused with global inspirations that feels decadent, yet rather unique in terms of innovation – cue a flakey Portuguese-Macanese pastel de nata crust filled with succulent lobster, or a three-way French pork dish that celebrates textures and flavours.
Afternoon tea in the impressive Drawing Room is a reimagined classic – a highlight for leisure travellers and the sort of moment that bonds guests over pastries and impeccable drinks.
But perhaps our experiential highlight during the stay was the personalized cocktail service at the intimate St. Regis Bar in Hong Kong. The award-winning hotel bar serves up narrative and ingredient rich mixology by wonderful bartenders like Joe Lam who care about their craft. It goes from the quiet warmth of an expensive jazz club to a spectacle of hospitality when the famous Violet Hour martini trolley turns every pour into theatre. The atmosphere fuses old-world glamour and contemporary edge, drawing loyal locals and travellers alike for curated cocktail experiences you’ll want to linger over. Try concoctions like the Canto Mary, Lockhart Road Heritage and Little Hong Kong for creative pours with a local flair.
Why it matters
St. Regis Hong Kong is, simply put, has both grandeur and tranquility. Exceptional service paired with striking interior designs nodding to its home city has earned it no shortage of repeat guests. And being one of those rare hotels that feels both quintessential escape and modern home base – it’s served as a neighbourhood game changer since opening in 2019.
The location sets you close to local neighbourhoods, artsy venues, and transport – but still a just few minutes away from Central. St. Regis is at an sweet crossroads of sophisticated living, real Hong Kong cultures and easy access to spectacular nature: a 20 minute taxi ride also takes you to through to the south side of Hong Kong Island for a taste of beach life at Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay.
