Background
Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour is the first Hyatt Centric-branded property in the Greater China region, and the second one in all of Asia. A hotel developed by local real estate company Sun Hung Kai Properties in Hong Kong, it was formerly known as Hotel Vic on the Harbour, but it was rebranded to Hyatt Centric a little over a year since it first opened its doors. The rebranding was completed last year in fall. Hyatt describes the Hyatt Centric portfolio as an upper-upscale lifestyle hotel brand.
I stayed at Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour for one night on September 30, a day before the start of the Mid-Autumn festival long weekend in Hong Kong.
Where is it?
The hotel is located in North Point, a bustling neighbourhood known for its Michelin-recommended restaurants, cosy cafes, and chic art galleries. The hotel itself is part of a mixed-used development which also includes a shopping mall, and it is just steps away from the Ferry Pier and the MTR station.
The city’s business and retails hubs like Central and Causeway Bay are easily accessible through the MTR, as well as tourist attractions like the Hong Kong Museum of History.
What’s it like?
The hotel is split between two tours – The East and West Tower. Leading up to the public check-in area, there is a stylish seating area with a large, glass ceiling with panels allowing lots of natural light to flood into the waiting space located on the second floor of the hotel.
Although I got to check-in at the Club Lounge, I did notice a long line had formed in the public check-in area. A spokesperson from the hotel said they were expecting about 90 per cent occupancy during the long-weekend due to the popularity of its staycation packages.
Like most hotels, Hyatt Centric has adopted a series of safety measures to mitigate the risk of spreading Covid-19. Guests will find hand sanitising liquid in every elevator lobby, temperature checks are being conducted at entrances, and there are also thermal-imaging cameras located at various check-points throughout the hotel to spot people with fevers. Face masks are, of course, mandatary in all public areas of the hotel.
Rooms
There are a total of 665 guest-rooms and suites in the hotel. I stayed in the Harbour View Deluxe room which had massive windows with stunning views of Victoria Harbour. The décor had a silvery, white and black colour theme, and the room came with a king-sized bed, a small sofa, a coffee table, a comfy chair, a TV, international plugs by the bed, and electric curtains.
I was greeted with fresh fruit and Hong Kong’s iconic white rabbit candy on arrival.
Guests will also find a Nespresso coffee machine, an in-room refrigerator with drinks and snacks in the room. I also noticed small labels reading “sanitised” on high-touch items like the telephone, TV remote controls, and door handles.
The bathroom was modern and functional, with lots of bright marble and lighting. It had both a rain shower head and a normal sprayer, and also a bathtub near a window with breathtaking views of the harbour. The amenities, which had packaging with black-and-white illustrations of Hong Kong’s skyline, included a comb, shower cap, a vanity kit and dental kits.
Food and Drink
The hotel has a vibrant collection of dining experiences. Cruise, located on the 23rd floor in the West Tower, is a rooftop restaurant and bar serving a wide variety of Asian cuisine from Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and a number of other places. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating with panoramic views of Victoria Harbour.
The Farmhouse, located on the second floor in the West Tower, is a spacious and homely all-day dining restaurant.
The Farmhouse Deli, also located on the second floor in the West Tower, is a chic café serving lots of pastries, cakes, coffee and a wide range of teas.
During my stay, I had dinner at the Cruise restaurant where I was served a six-course meal as part of a set menu that was designed for sharing. Cruise is an elegant restaurant with large floor-to-ceiling windows. The night time view of the Hong Kong skyline serves as an impressive backdrop to the spacious restaurant, even during a thunderstorm. The restaurant has also adapted to the times by placing transparent barriers between tables, providing diners with a face mask holder and anti-septic wipes.
Facilities
Recreational facilities include a 24-hour gym, a 25-meter outdoor rooftop infinity pool, sauna and steam rooms. There is also a Virtual Reality fitness experience offered at the gym.
On the 22nd floor of the hotel in the West Tower, guests will find a lavish and quiet Club Lounge where breakfast is served every morning. Once again, the sweeping views of Victoria Harbour are the highlight here. There’s also plenty of comfortable seating at the lounge, including a private meeting space, for those who want to buckle down and get some work done. The service at the lounge was very cordial and attentive.
Verdict
The location is excellent – ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to stay in any of the busy Hong Kong neighbourhoods like Central and Causeway Bay, but wants quick and easy access to these business and retails hubs. The views of Victoria Harbour throughout the hotel are breathtaking, and the Club Lounge is great for anyone looking for a quiet and comfortable spot to work in.
Fact File
BEST FOR: The convenient location and Victoria harbour views
DON’T MISS: Dinner at the Cruise
PRICE: HKD1,320 (USD170) per night for the Harbour Deluxe Room
CONTACT: 1 North Point Estate Ln, North Point
