Located on the Causeway Bay waterfront, next to the World Trade Centre and near a lively shopping area, Hong Kong Island's largest hotel stands on the very first plot of land sold at auction when this outpost became a British colony in 1841. Although it belongs to the Mandarin Oriental group of hotels, it is more plebian than its sister properties in Central, with correspondingly lower prices. Built in 1973 and overshadowed by newer, grander hotels, it nonetheless enjoys a solid reputation and a high occupancy rate, including many tour groups, which translates into an overcrowded lobby that often buzzes with activity, sometimes making it difficult to get front-desk service or find an empty seat. The elevators are also crowded.
On the plus side, this is a good place to stay if you like to jog, since it's close to 20-hectare (50-acre) Victoria Park, Hong Kong's largest city park. In addition, the hotel offers free guided tours to the historic Noon Day Gun across the street, which fires every day at . . . well . . . noon. Its top-floor ToTT'S Asian Grill & Bar offers spectacular harbor views, outrageous decor, and great East-meets-West cuisine. Most rooms are the same small size with the same decor and tend to be crowded. Those that command panoramas of the harbor, with window-side sofas from which to soak in the views, are the most expensive and largest; slightly cheaper are those with side harbor views or views of the park, while the cheapest face inland toward the city. Wireless connections are available in all hotel public areas, including restaurants.
Facilities:5 restaurants (Pacific Rim fusion, Cantonese, Italian, international buffet, coffee shop); bar; lounge; 2 indoor tennis courts; exercise room; sauna; steam room; concierge; tour desk; business center; salon; 24-hr. room service; babysitting; same-day laundry service/dry cleaning; executive-level rooms.
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| Address | 281 Gloucester Rd | |
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| Location | Causeway Bay, Causeway Bay | |
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| Transportation | MTR: Causeway Bay | |
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| Phone | 800/526-6566 in the U.S. and Canada, 852/2894 8888 | |
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| Fax | 852/2895 6459 | |
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| Web site | www.excelsiorhongkong.com | |
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| Room Information | 884 units | |
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| Prices | HK$2,400-HK$3,200 (US$312-US$415/£171-£229) single or double; HK$3,200-HK$3,400 (US$415-US$441/£229-£243) Executive Floor; from HK$5,000 (US$649/£357) suite | |
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| Credit Cards | AE, DC, MC, V | |
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| In Room Amenities | A/C, satellite TV w/pay movies on demand, high-speed dataport, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron/ironing board, safe | |