What’s it like?

The sister hotel to the Island Shangri-la on Central (Business Traveller February 2004) is a similarly polished affair. Superb

service, large rooms with outstanding views and excellent food and beverage choices place it among the top hotels in Hong Kong.

Where is it?

Kowloon, on the waterfront, with views of Victoria Harbour and the city skyline. It’s close to several major transportation routes and convenient for the MTR, trains out to the New Territories and the Star Ferry to Central. The hotel reflects the difference in clientele between Central and Kowloon, with the former attracting finance people while many staying at the Kowloon are visiting for trade shows.

How many rooms?

700 in all, in several categories. The Horizon Club has a club lounge with wifi broadband internet access and private meeting rooms, newspapers, magazines, books and board games. Its executive and harbour view rooms have a four-in-one office machine with printer, photocopier, scanner and fax; flat-screen TV; an LCD TV in the bathroom; a DVD player with full surround-sound system; a Herman Miller ergonomic chair; Corby trouser press and a DECT wireless telephone, which allows guest to receive telephone calls throughout the hotel. Other benefits are club floor check-in and check-out, complimentary buffet breakfast, newspaper and fresh fruits, free suit pressing and shoe-shine.

Room facilities:

All have broadband internet, tea and coffee facilities, safe, desk, international direct dial telephone, minibar, satellite and cable TV and voice mail.

Restaurant and bar:

The bar and tapas restaurant specialises in wine, with more than 50 available by the glass and 400 bottles in a glass wine rack. There are several restaurants, including Napa (Californian) on the 21st floor. Attention to detail is impressive: the ties and watches of the waiters are in colours and patterns that match the cover plates. It too offers wine by the glass and over 100 Californian and Italian red and white wines to choose from (some 40%-46% of people staying are from the US).

Other cuisines available include Japanese at Nadaman and French at Margaux, while Café Kool is a buffet restaurant and Shang Palace serves a feast of Cantonese favourites.

Verdict:An outstanding hotel, one of the finest in Hong Kong.

Price:From £133 for a single room, and £146 for a double, plus 30% tax.

Contact:Kowloon Shangri-La, 64 Mody Road, Tsimshatsui East, Kowloon,

tel 852 2721 2111, www.shangri-la.com.