Tried & Tested

Hotel review: Marco Polo Gateway, Hong Kong

28 May 2015 by Tom Otley
What’s it like? Originally opened in the 1980s and now completely refurbished, the Gateway is one of three Marco Polo Hotels in the Harbour City shopping, retail and office complex in Tsim Sha Tsui, with all three hotels having nearly 1,500 rooms in total. The brand is well known in Asia, with 14 owned or managed hotels in Hong Kong, China and the Philippines, and another eight under development. It is also a member of the Global Hotel Alliance. Taxis drop off behind the hotel, where a liveried employee accompanies you through to the entrance just off Canton Road. It creates a favourable first impression, which is reinforced by helpful and motivated staff who are able to solve any difficulties and give advice when asked. Where is it? Above the massive Harbour City shopping mall on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. The entrance is on the junction of Canton and Haiphong roads, a short walk to the MTR entrance for Tsim Sha Tsui and the China Ferry Terminal and Star Ferry, and also a short taxi or shuttle bus ride to the Airport Express Kowloon Station. Room facilities The hotel has 400 rooms including 51 suites. All rooms and suites have a 40-inch flatscreen TV, complimentary wifi and an iHome Docking Station plus multiple power points by the desk and bed. The rooms have all been refurbished and feel modern and spacious. New for 2015, all three hotels are offering a complimentary smartphone for use while staying, with unlimited 3G mobile internet, unlimited local calls, wifi hotspot and tethering to other mobile devices such as laptops and tablets, access to hotel concierge and pre-loaded social media apps including Facebook and WeChat. In the Gateway property, each room has a complimentary minibar, replenished daily with two bottles of water, two cans of beer, classic Coke, Diet Coke and orange juice. There is also a Nespresso coffee machine and tea making facilities. Rooms are on floors 4-16, with Continental Club floors being located on 14-16. Entry level Superior Rooms (27-37 sqm) are on levels 4 and 6. Deluxe rooms are the same but on higher floors (levels 7-10) as are Premier Rooms (levels 11-13). Superior Suites (levels 4-13) are 58 sqm and have a separate lounge and access to Continental Club privileges. All suites offer a rain shower and bathtub in newly designed marble bathrooms. Continental Club rooms and suites (of which I stayed in the latter) are on floors 14, 15 and 16. They are the same sizes as the rooms and suites above, but have improved toiletries (Penhaligon’s as opposed to own-brand) and access to the Continental Club, which is located on level 15. A king-sized bed is available in selected rooms. The club lounge has a range of amenities, including welcome fruit basket, personal check-in and check-out, free shoe shining service and choice of daily newspaper. It also offers the use of a meeting room for two hours (subject to availability), complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, evening cocktails, and all-day snacks and drinks. RESTAURANTS AND Bars The hotel has two restaurants, though you can also eat at the other Marco Polo properties and sign your bill to your room in the Gateway. Three on Canton is the all-day dining restaurant on level 3, with windows looking down onto Canton Road and an outdoor seating area where you can smoke. This leads through to the bar, Be on Canton, which shares this terrace and also has direct access out into Harbour City. Business and meeting facilities There is no business centre, but there are four meeting rooms on the same level as the restaurant: Noire, Ocher, Fuchsia and Turquoise all cater to a maximum of 20, but the rooms can be combined to host dinners for up to 60. If you’re looking to put on a function in Hong Kong, the neighbouring Marco Polo Hotel has much more extensive conference facilities. There is also a private dining room for 12 in the restaurant termed  “the wine room” because of a glass wall stacked with wine bottles that separates it from the main restaurant. Tasting menus with a special wine selection can also be paired with your dinner or lunch menu with recommendations from the sommelier. Leisure facilities There aren’t any in the hotel but a two-minute walk through the shopping mall takes you to the Marco Polo Prince Hotel, where you can use the gym. I thought this would be a disadvantage but it’s an easy walk and is open 24 hours (both the mall and the gym). Guests can also use the outdoor swimming pool at the third hotel in the complex, the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel. Verdict A hidden gem of a hotel, with a great location, attractive design, and which offers outstanding value for money with free wifi, free roaming phone and free minibar.   FACT FILE
  • HOW MANY ROOMS? There are 400 rooms: 76 Superior, 112 Deluxe, 84 Premier, 39 Superior Suites, 77 Continental Deluxe rooms, 11 Continental Superior Suites and one Gateway Suite.
  • HIGHLIGHTS Good location, complimentary smartphone, refurbished décor and helpful staff.
  • PRICE Internet rates for a Continental Club Superior Suite in mid-July start from HK$2,900 (US$374).
  • CONTACT Marco Polo Gateway, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon;tel: +852 2113 0888; marcopolohotels.com
Tom Otley
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