Pentahotel Hong Kong, Kowloon has opened its doors in Diamond Hill, a fast-emerging district in East Kowloon. This follows the trend of new properties hoping to tap into East Kowloon neighbourhoods in anticipation of a Hong Kong government-funded plan to turn that region into a core business district that consists of the newly launched Kai Tak cruise terminal, a multi-purpose stadium complex and a waterfront promenade.
The 32-storey hotel’s modern exterior creates an interesting juxtaposition with the surroundings, since it is located at 19 Luk Hop Street, which consists of several old properties. However, accessibility is not an issue since the property is a five-minute walk from Diamond Hill MTR station – a 20-minute train ride from Kowloon hotspots Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui.
Pentahotel has 695 guestrooms divided into three categories – Pentarooms, Pentaplus Rooms and suites known as Pentagrand Rooms. The distinctions between the three room types are minimal. The 437 Pentarooms are the hotel’s standard room configuration and are available with either king or twin beds, as are all other room types. The 253 Pentaplus Rooms are exactly the same with the only distinction being a better view of the Diamond Hill skyline. Finally, the five Pentagrand Rooms is a combination of two Pentarooms into one. All Pentarooms and Pentaplus Rooms measure 22 sqm, while Pentagrand are 44 sqm.
Rooms are modern and simply furnished. The hotel describes its style as “rustic” and this is evident from the use of lightly textured wood and aged brick walls. The rooms are efficiently designed: light switches, air-condition controls and power sockets are located in prime positions around the room. Power sockets are the British three-pin type.
The hotel features a number of artworks showcasing a collage of pictures of Hong Kong. The funky and iconic designs are produced through a partnership with local design brand G.O.D to inject a distinctive Hong Kong flavour into the design of each room. Also, while a refrigerator unit is installed in all rooms, they are empty. The hotel does not offer a mini-bar service, as management notes most people would not be willing to pay a premium for drinks and snacks that would otherwise be sold at a far cheaper price commercially. Instead, there is a dedicated area within the hotel with three vending machines selling a wide range of drinks, snacks and basic necessities at retail prices.
Pentahotel provides unlimited free wifi in all rooms, along with a wireless audio dock, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, electronic safes, and a full set of bathroom amenities. The bathrooms are small and consist of a toilet, sink and rain shower. The tiles are black, creating an edgy look to appeal to the “new generation” demographic the hotel is targeting.
This youthful and fun vibe extends throughout the hotel. Staff uniforms comprise black shirts, jeans and sneakers footwear – all designed by fashion label “4A Like Black”. The hotel’s decor is also trendy, with the use of polished black railings and grey concrete floors in combination with glass and other light materials.
The heart of Pentahotel is the Pentalounge which combines a lobby, reception area, bar and café into a single venue. Also situated there is the hotel’s restaurant “Eatstreet” which serves a range of local and international cuisine. An American pool table and a Nintendo Wii console system is also available free for use in the games room. There is also a small sitting area where guests can relax and watch TV.
In terms of services, the hotel offers a dedicated internet corner in the Pentalounge, along with foreign currency exchange, express laundry services, luggage storage and business services. Furthermore, there’s a pizza bar located near the entrance of the hotel and two shuttle bus services to K11 Shopping Mall in Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom MTR Station. It can also provide a hotel link service to the Airport Express station at request.
The hotel also has an outdoor swimming pool and 24-hour gymnasium, both due to open in the coming months. Pentahotel operates five meeting rooms of varying sizes. The smallest seats 15 to 17 people, while the largest accommodates 140 people. A significant selling point of Pentahotel’s meeting facilities is that coffee breaks and lunch are not consumed along the corridor outside the rooms. Instead, there is a dedicated room that the hotel brands as the “time-out zone” which offers all-day refreshments and drinks to people using the meeting services.
Opening room rates start from HK$1,100 (US$142) for a Pentaroom per night (not including service charge), whilst Pentaplus rooms are HK$1,300 (US$168). However, to celebrate the hotel’s opening, Pentahotel is offering an introductory offer that starts at HK$888 (US$114) per night and is valid from 5 August until 30 September 2013.
Visit www.pentahotels.com
Clement Huang
