News

Kerry Hotel to open on Hong Kong’s harbourfront

6 Dec 2016 by Jeremy Tredinnick
Kerry Hotel, Hung Hom in Hong Kong

Real estate on the waterfront of Victoria Harbour is a precious commodity, but Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts managed to broker a deal for a prime location in Hung Hom Bay for its new Kerry Hotel, which will open on April 1, 2017.

The 546-room “urban resort” occupies a plot of land beside the Hung Hom ferry pier (connected by ferry to North Point district on Hong Kong Island) and a short walk from the famous Whampoa land-locked “ship” shopping centre and MTR. A 16-storey, slightly curved building, it boasts sweeping views of the harbour and Hong Kong Island’s city skyline (see image below) and has extensive outdoor areas to make use of this enviable vantage point.

Designed by André Fu (known for his work at the Upper House hotel and in Singapore’s Fullerton Bay Hotel), the Kerry’s interior makes much use of marble, chrome and bronze, as well as rough brickwork in its contemporary Cantonese restaurant and bar – a theme designed to play on the Hung Hom district’s history as a dockyard area for the city.

More than 60 per cent of rooms will have a harbour view, and sizes will range from the 42 sqm Deluxe City and Sea View rooms to the palatial 294 sqm Presidential suite. Corner rooms benefit from extra window space – and there are four rooms, on the fifth and sixth floors, with their own internal balcony. All rooms will feature free movies on demand and a free minibar.

Sharon Foo, director of communications of the Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong, said that the property will be marketed for both business and leisure guests in equal measure. “The Kerry brand offers an experience of ‘relaxed luxury’ for guests of all types. Next door we have the two new Wheelock office towers, and the terrace in front of our International Market Place will be open to the public… we want to be part of the Hung Hom community.”

“We made an agreement with the government that the street-level bus station next to our hotel will be moved underground beneath the hotel once construction is finished, and we will redevelop that area as a green space that we will manage. We will be able to utilise it for hotel events, but it will be open to the public for their recreation.” This redevelopment is scheduled for 9-12 months after the hotel opens.

Also under discussion with the government is the hotel’s possible use of the old Hung Hom ferry pier, currently unused but, if negotiations go well, soon to become the Kerry Hotel’s over-water sports centre.

The events industry will also be a key target market, as the meetings and conference space is considerable. “We will have the largest meeting space in Hong Kong,” Foo said, “and all our F&B venues will have alfresco areas and entertainment.” The Grand Ballroom is 1,756 sqm in size (it can be split into four separate rooms), with rock crystal chandeliers, a 15-metre LED video screen and an extensive harbour view foyer, whilst the Hung Hom Ballroom is 1,125 sqm and there are six other meeting rooms of varying size.

The Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong will be the fourth property by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts in Hong Kong. Online booking will be possible from January 1, 2017, for stays beginning on April 1.

thekerryhotels.com

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