Hotel check: Ozo Wesley Hong Kong

BACKGROUND Originally opened in 1992, the hotel was extensively renovated and turned into a limited service hotel in 2013. When that opened, it marked the global launch of the Ozo brand by Thailand-based hospitality group Onyx, though the group has expanded quickly since then and Onyx has an additional four of its serviced apartment developments under the Shama brand in Hong Kong. WHERE IS IT? At the Admiralty end of Hennessy Road, a main road running through Wan Chai, the hotel is situated on a corner near the Johnston Road intersection. It is also close to Pacific Place 3 shopping centre, from where you can descend to Admiralty MTR station. WHAT’S IT LIKE? The hotel reception is very modern, with a ceiling of curving wood in slats and a central pod area for check-in, which is paperless (iPads are used). There is an area in one corner with a large fridge where you can buy drinks and snacks, and an instant coffee machine, though within a couple of minutes’ walk there is everything from a 7-Eleven and Mannings pharmacy to a Welcome supermarket and a Marks & Spencer food shop. Staff were friendly and check-in was swiftly completed. ROOM FACILITIES The 251 guestrooms and suites range from floors 6-21. Entry-level Sleep and Dream rooms are 20 sqm (Dream rooms are on higher floors) compared with larger Dream Space (22 sqm) rooms and the 34 sqm Ozo suite, which offers a living area. The designs are smart – my Dream room had a window seat, plenty of room for storing bags and a sliding door on the wardrobe, which on one side revealed tea- and coffee-making facilities as well as a good-sized safe. Behind the bed was a faint wash print of the cityscape, and the work desk on wheels meant it could be moved to the most convenient location for either eating or working. The room also has a small empty fridge, as well as complimentary bottles of water. The hotel is eco-conscious, so the toiletries in the bathrooms are attached to the wall in dispensers. Though they seemed good quality, you don’t get bathrobes or slippers. The air conditioning worked well and the lighting system was easy to use, with an angled reading light at each side of the double bed. It was also easy to turn all the lights off at night. Soundproofing was good, though I could still hear noise from the corridor, and indeed some spectacular snoring next door during one night. Each room has a good-sized TV and a multiplayer connectivity panel allowing guests to play music from their iPod/iPhone from the TV, though I didn’t work out how to do this. Wifi is free throughout the property and, for guests who have not brought their laptops with them, there are four iMacs at the lobby for use without cost. BAR AND RESTAURANTS The hotel’s restaurant – Zaan – only serves breakfast, though it doubles as a meeting room, which can be booked. There are private dining rooms off this as well. MEETING FACILITIES The main meeting room, Talk, is on the second floor, and can be set up classroom- or theatre-style for up to 40 or cocktails for up to 60. LEISURE FACILITIES There is a good-sized gym on the second floor with a range of cardio equipment, a weight bench and some free weights. VERDICT A fantastic location and very affordable – well designed and with the highlight of free, fast wifi, good soundproofing and empty fridges for storing drinks and food in. Tom Otley