Background
The Renaissance is part of the same complex as the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre and the Grand Hyatt and has been part of the city’s hotel scene since 1989 when it was called New World Harbour View. It is one of nearly 170 Renaissance hotels and counts as a “lifestyle” brand in Marriott International’s 18-strong portfolio.
What’s it like?
I’ve stayed at this hotel several times over the past 15 years and have always been impressed by both the standard of service and its location. Catch a taxi or the complimentary airport shuttle bus from Central Airport Express station and staff are ready to collect bags and escort you up the long escalator to the lobby area, a grand space with a high ceiling and lounge bar. The lobby area will be refurbished in 2015, as will the lobby lounge. Until then you get an impression of it being smart, but slightly dated. The rooms are much more contemporary and the views timeless, if always changing, with construction on the waterfront.
Where is it?
In Wanchai, connected to the MTR station and also the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. The hotel is known as the Renaissance rather than the Marriott: if you say the latter, chances are you’ll be taken by the taxi driver to the nearby JW Marriott at Pacific Place in Admiralty.
Room facilities
There are 857 rooms and suites ranging up to the 42nd floor, about two-thirds of which have harbour views. The remainder overlook a central open air garden area and across to the Grand Hyatt. All rooms feature LCD TV, iPod docking station, alarm clock, electronic safe, radio, IDD telephone, voice mail, tea/coffee making facilities, hairdryer and mini-bar. Wifi costs HK$120 (US$15.50) per day and is a good speed. About 110 rooms have baths and separate showers and the rest have showers with rain shower and power shower settings.
The hotel has been refurbishing its rooms over the last six years and there are two different room styles, with one design represented from the 12th to 20th floor and a newer look on the 21st to the 41st floor; the 11th floor additionally shares this latter design concept. The rooms on the 11th floor also have patios: choose one looking out onto the garden to enjoy a resort feel with the palms and pool. The 23rd and 24th floors offer designated smoking rooms, around 60 in total.
The Renaissance opened its newly renovated club level at the end of 2013 along with 87 club rooms on the top five floors (38-42). The hotel’s 53 suites also have access to the club floor, which offers express check-in and checkout, private workstation and tablets with internet access, complimentary beverages all day, and welcome amenities. Complimentary continental buffet breakfast is served daily in the club lounge, as is afternoon tea and evening cocktails and canapés. All club level rooms and suites feature additional working space and guests enjoy two hours complimentary use of the club level boardroom daily.
Restaurants and bars
The hotel’s award-winning Cantonese restaurant, Dynasty, has been recently refurbished and boasts spectacular harbour views. Café Renaissance offers all-day dining with breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets and an á la carte menu.
Business and meeting facilities
On the lobby floor, the business centre has a full range of services including internet, translation, courier arrangements, printing services and secretarial assistance. Audio-visual equipment, laptop computers, typewriters, dictaphones, calculators, and mobile phones are available for rental. There are more than 1,300 sqm of banqueting and conference facilities on the mezzanine and 8th floor.
Leisure Facilities
The hotel has its own fitness centre on the 11th floor with modern equipment (Technogym’s Unity console with mywellness app and the mywellness key), and is open 24 hours a day with your room keycard. It also shares a large heated swimming pool with the Grand Hyatt.
Verdict
Now that the refurbishment is coming to an end, the Renaissance is a very good hotel in a strategic location suitable for both work and play.
FACT FILE
There are 857 rooms and suites ranging up to the 42nd floor, about two-thirds of which have harbour views. The remainder overlook a central open air garden area and across to the Grand Hyatt. All rooms feature LCD TV, iPod docking station, alarm clock, electronic safe, radio, IDD telephone, voice mail, tea/coffee making facilities, hairdryer and mini-bar. Wifi costs HK$120 (US$15.50) per day and is a good speed. About 110 rooms have baths and separate showers and the rest have showers with rain shower and power shower settings.
The hotel has been refurbishing its rooms over the last six years and there are two different room styles, with one design represented from the 12th to 20th floor and a newer look on the 21st to the 41st floor; the 11th floor additionally shares this latter design concept. The rooms on the 11th floor also have patios: choose one looking out onto the garden to enjoy a resort feel with the palms and pool. The 23rd and 24th floors offer designated smoking rooms, around 60 in total.
The Renaissance opened its newly renovated club level at the end of 2013 along with 87 club rooms on the top five floors (38-42). The hotel’s 53 suites also have access to the club floor, which offers express check-in and checkout, private workstation and tablets with internet access, complimentary beverages all day, and welcome amenities. Complimentary continental buffet breakfast is served daily in the club lounge, as is afternoon tea and evening cocktails and canapés. All club level rooms and suites feature additional working space and guests enjoy two hours complimentary use of the club level boardroom daily.
Restaurants and bars
The hotel’s award-winning Cantonese restaurant, Dynasty, has been recently refurbished and boasts spectacular harbour views. Café Renaissance offers all-day dining with breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets and an á la carte menu.
Business and meeting facilities
On the lobby floor, the business centre has a full range of services including internet, translation, courier arrangements, printing services and secretarial assistance. Audio-visual equipment, laptop computers, typewriters, dictaphones, calculators, and mobile phones are available for rental. There are more than 1,300 sqm of banqueting and conference facilities on the mezzanine and 8th floor.
Leisure Facilities
The hotel has its own fitness centre on the 11th floor with modern equipment (Technogym’s Unity console with mywellness app and the mywellness key), and is open 24 hours a day with your room keycard. It also shares a large heated swimming pool with the Grand Hyatt.
Verdict
Now that the refurbishment is coming to an end, the Renaissance is a very good hotel in a strategic location suitable for both work and play.
FACT FILE
- HOW MANY ROOMS? 857 rooms with 11 categories, offering a mix of harbour or garden views
- HIGHLIGHTS Great location, lovely views and the upgraded rooms are a pleasure to stay in – although construction noise can be an issue in the Harbour View room. If views aren’t a priority, choose the lower-priced and quieter Garden View Rooms.
- PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in January start from HK$2,400 (US$309) for a Garden View Room
- CONTACT 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong, China; tel: +852 2802 8888; marriott.com/hotels
Tom Otley
