Review: Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong

When it came time to choose where to stay in Hong Kong at the end of a Southeast Asia trip with my brother, the decision couldn’t have been easier. While the city is home to an array of incredible five-star hotels, there was only ever one serious contender: The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong. I love a hotel with a compelling draw and unique hook, and The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong delivers in spades—until 2020, it held the title of the highest hotel in the world.  

Perched on floors 102 to 118 of the International Commerce Centre (ICC), The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong boasts breathtaking views of one of the world’s most iconic city skylines.  

I don’t typically place too much emphasis on city hotels, as I consider the destination itself to be the main attraction. However, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is an exception; it’s a destination in its own right and an experience not to be missed when visiting the city.

Booking

For our two-night stay, I secured a discounted industry rate, which I was glad to take advantage of, as this hotel is typically quite expensive whether paying with cash or points.

The nightly room rate tends to fall between HK$3,500 (CA$645) – HK$4,000 (CA$735) per night for a base-level room. 

Redemptions at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong aren’t particularly compelling, often requiring in excess of 100,000 points per night. If you’re flexible, it’s possible to find some off-peak dates under 100,000 points per night. That said, in most cases, the value here falls well short of my target baseline of about 1 cent per point.

When booking a room at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, it’s important to consider that the main draw of this hotel is its awe-inspiring views of Victoria Harbor. In fact, I’d almost go as far as to say that the view from your room is the defining aspect of the experience here.

However, the base-level rooms face the opposite direction, offering views of Kowloon. Therefore, I suggest either booking directly into Victoria Harbor View Guest Room or using a Marriott Bonvoy Nightly Upgrade Award. I took a chance and rolled the dice on using Nightly Upgrade Award that I had earned from a Marriott Annual Choice Benefit and was thrilled when, a few days before our arrival, it cleared and we were upgraded to a Victoria Harbor View room for our stay.

If you’re able to find an award night under 100,000 points, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is a viable option for using a Marriott Bonvoy 85,000-point Free Night Award, which can be earned by holding the U.S.-issued American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card. 

In addition to the 85,000-point Free Night Award, cardholders also receive a host of valuable benefits from this card such as automatic Platinum Elite status, and a yearly US$300 dining credit. 

American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card (US)

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American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card (US)

The American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card offers benefits that include Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, a monthly $25 restaurant credit, an annual free night, 25 elite qualifying night credits annually, and more.

Check out our American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card review for more details.

BONUS
150,000 Marriott Bonvoy

MINSPEND
$8,000

EST. VALUE
$1,350+

ANNUAL FEE
$650

FOREX FEES
No

EXPIRY
–

Check-in

Kowloon’s International Commerce Centre is a massive complex that includes several entrances to the towering skyscraper from the Elements Shopping Mall at street level. As a result, there are two main entrances: one located within the Elements Shopping Mall and the other serving as the primary vehicle and pedestrian entrance at the front of the building. Although for the sake of simplicity, I refer to this as the ground level, these entrances are actually on the ninth floor of the building.

The ground-level lobby features a waiting area and a flower shop. Several staff members are always present, ready to assist guests with any needs.

I was absolutely captivated by this hotel’s design, and the ground-level lobby offered the perfect glimpse of what was to come during our stay. Every corner held something intriguing, from the rich mix of textures and materials to the striking contrast of dark wood against a shimmering glass chandelier. The entire property exudes an ornate design, with not a plain white wall in sight—the classic Ritz-Carlton aesthetic which is a timeless, old-school approach to luxury.

The hotel has four express elevators that go directly to the main lobby. It takes just under two minutes for the elevator to complete its journey up to the 103rd floor main check-in lobby.

The lobby features a dark, opulent ambiance, with a striking curved red bench as its centerpiece point, adding a vibrant touch of color. Traditional Chinese artwork adorn the walls, enhancing the space’s elegant aesthetic.

Before our arrival, I had been in contact with the reservations team to inform the hotel of our arrival time. During our email exchange, the hotel also informed us of an available upgrade to a Ritz-Carlton Club Level Room. Ritz-Carlton Club Privileges go well beyond the typical executive lounge, offering a full range of meals throughout the day, along with exclusive additional benefits.

As a Club Level resident, guests will have access to the Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge which serves the following culinary offerings throughout the day:

• Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. on Mondays to Fridays and 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
•  Light Lunch: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  
•  Afternoon Tea: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
•  Hors d’Oeuvres: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Cordials: 8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Along with access to the Club Lounge, Club Level perks at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong also include the following benefits: 

• Complimentary pressing service up to 5 items per day (non-cumulative)
• Dedicated Club Concierge service (from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.)
• Business Center service and complimentary Wi-Fi in the Club Lounge
• Wake-up call with complimentary coffee or tea
• 1-hour complimentary use of meeting room at the Club Lounge per stay based on availability
• Experiential Events
• Complimentary in-town limousine drop-off service within Kowloon area

While many Ritz-Carlton properties feature club lounges, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum and higher members do not receive complimentary access. In fact, the Ritz-Carlton brand is notably restrictive when it comes to elite benefits, offering limited upgrade opportunities and no breakfast benefit at all.

Therefore, the only way to access the Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge is by paying an upgrade fee upon arrival or booking directly in a Club Level Guest Room. We were quoted a price of HK$2,300 (CA$425) plus 10% service charge per night to upgrade to a Club Level room. 

This is, of course, quite expensive, and while it might be worthwhile for two people who plan to have every meal in the club lounge and take advantage of all the perks associated with Club Level status. Since we intended to spend most of our time exploring Hong Kong and indulging in its famous street food, it didn’t make much sense for us.

We arrived at the hotel around 7:00 PM after our Emirates A380 First Class flight from Bangkok. The lobby was quiet at this time and we were greeted promptly by the friendly check-in agent. As the Ritz-Carlton brand does not offer a complimentary breakfast benefit to elite members, we were given the standard 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points as a welcome amenity. Finally, she noted our upgrade to a Victoria Harbour View Guest Room and offered to help with any dining reservations before sending us on our way.

Location

The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is located at the southwestern edge of Kowloon, directly across Victoria Harbour from Hong Kong Island. The hotel occupies floors 102 to 118 of the International Commerce Centre, one of the tallest buildings in the world.

The skyscraper also houses a mix of office and residential spaces, with the Elements Mall and Kowloon MTR Station located at the base of the structure.

Although the hotel’s location outside of Hong Kong Island might be a downside for some, its direct connection to a major transportation hub makes it incredibly convenient. You can easily reach almost any destination in the city through the multiple MTR lines that run throughout Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.

Traveling between Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is incredibly easy and quick. The MTR Airport Express Train provides a seamless journey, taking less than 25 minutes to reach the hotel. With an MTR station located directly inside the airport terminal, you can board the train without stepping outside, and it makes just one stop before arriving at Kowloon Station.

The area around the hotel mostly consists of other office and residential buildings, so this isn’t the best hotel option for those who like to step outside and be right in the middle of the action. However, the West Kowloon Cultural District Park and waterfront promenade are nearby where you’ll find some museums, gardens, and restaurants.  

If you decide to stay at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, you’ll need to rely on public transit and taxis to explore the city’s attractions. For most, this shouldn’t be an issue, as we found the MTR system is straightforward and easy to navigate.

However, due to the immense size of the International Commerce Centre, getting from your hotel room to the train station is quite time consuming. Guests must first take two separate elevator rides to reach the ground-level lobby, followed by a 10-minute walk through the Elements Mall to the MTR station. Once there, a wait of about five minutes for the next train may be necessary. 

In total, it can take upwards of 20 minutes to travel between your room and the MTR station each time you leave or return to the hotel. If you plan on frequently coming and going to the hotel during the day, this hotel may not be the most convenient accommodation option.

Parking

Overnight valet parking is available for HK$800 per night.

Room – 2 Double Deluxe Victoria Harbour View Guest Room

We were assigned a Deluxe Guest Room on the 106th floor. While the Ritz-Carlton’s design aesthetic leans heavily toward classic and traditional old school luxury and may feel a bit out of step with today’s trend toward contemporary minimalism, it’s beautifully executed here. Every direction your eyes go is a feast for the senses. I especially appreciated the rich dark woods, mirrored accents, and the soft texture of the carpet, all complemented by subtle touches of marble that added a refined contrast.

The entrance to the room was a short hallway with a mirror on one wall and a piece of wall art along with the temperature controls for the room on the other. The same dark wooden walls, paneled surfaces, and metallic highlights found throughout the public spaces of the hotel continued into the guest rooms.

Entering the main living area, the room opened up to a spacious living room where two double beds were featured prominently.

Between the beds is a shared nightstand that includes a control panel to operate all of the lighting in the room and the motorized curtains. The panel also features a power outlet and two USB-A charging ports. 

The top of the alarm clock has an integrated wireless charging surface. 

Directly across from the beds was a flat screen TV that was seamlessly built into the paneled wall. Below the TV was a floating storage unit with some drawers. 

Prior to our arrival, the staff had left us a welcome amenity of some assorted chocolates and a handwritten note welcoming us to the hotel and wishing us a pleasant stay. 

Closer to the window on the wall opposite the beds is a desk area with a comfortable office chair. The desk had easy access to multiple power outlets.

On the desk was additional information about the hotel, including the in-room dining menu, details about the restaurant’s options in the hotel, and some maps and pamphlets for tourist-related activities in the city.

Next to the window is a small sitting area featuring an armchair, ottoman, and a side table. 

The minibar was located between the entrance hallway and the bathroom and came stocked with a Nespresso machine and a selection of coffee pods and tea. The large bottles of water were complimentary for guests and all of the contents of the minibar we replenished each day.

A lot of other goodies were available for purchase including premium spirits, snacks, soda, beer, and an $80 black orchid candle made exclusively for The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong. 

Adjacent to the bathroom entrance is a large closet area with enough room for a few suitcases and plenty of hangers.

The bathroom was a decent size and was clad in marble from tip to toe and featured dual vanity sinks.

A bathtub was built into a small alcove against the far wall and even had its own TV.

The enclosed toilet chamber and walk-in shower were located across from the sinks.

The shower had both an overhead rainfall shower and wall-mounted fixture. Bath essentials were provided by Diptyque. 

Lastly, this brings us to the absolutely breathtaking views over Victoria Harbour and the iconic Hong Kong skyline. Perched so high above the city, it can be common for clouds to obscure the panorama, but we were lucky to enjoy mostly clear skies throughout our stay.

During the day, the views are just as impressive, offering a sweeping panorama of all of Hong Kong Island and Victoria Harbour.

The padded bench by the windows is a thoughtful addition—if you’re anything like me, you’ll constantly be drawn to the view. Sitting here, it feels as if you’re perched at the top of the world.

There are very few hotels in the world that can rival the views offered by The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong.

Hong Kong boasts one of the most iconic skylines in the world, and depending on your room’s location, you may be treated to sweeping vistas of the city, its surrounding islands, and even further out into the South China Sea.

Though the hotel is approaching 15 years since its opening with no renovations to date, some aspects are beginning to show signs of age. However, the guest rooms have been impeccably maintained. The decor may feel a bit dated now, but the rooms are still spacious enough for two and offer the qualities you’d expect from a luxury hotel like the extremely comfortable beds, high-quality bedding, and a well-appointed bathroom.

That said, what truly sets this hotel apart are the stunning views of Victoria Harbour. This alone made our stay one of the most unforgettable city hotel experiences I’ve had.

Restaurants & Bars

The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong features four on-site restaurants, including two Michelin-starred venues that overlook Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong skyline. Located on the top floor is Ozone, the world’s highest open-air rooftop bar.

The two-Michelin-starred Tin Lung Heen is considered one of the finest restaurants in the world, but we opted to save ourselves several hundred dollars and instead enjoy the flavors of local eateries and street food.

The Lounge & Bar

The Lounge & Bar is the hotel’s all-day dining establishment and serves a buffet breakfast each morning. No complimentary breakfast is offered for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum and above members at Ritz-Carlton properties. Despite the lack of free breakfast for elite members, we chose to have breakfast here each morning, and paid a hefty premium for it. 

The breakfast buffet price comes in at an eye-popping HK$450 (CA$80) per person. While this is obviously a ridiculous amount to pay for a buffet breakfast, the spread of food was outstanding and the service was excellent. It also was, without a doubt, the best breakfast view I’ve ever had at any hotel or resort.

We sat directly up against the windows, feeling as if we were teetering right on the ledge, and enjoyed some perfect mornings watching the sunrise over Hong Kong.

The buffet items consisted of fruits, pastries, salads, meats, cheeses, juices, and smoothies.

There was also a made-to-order egg station where you could get any style of eggs prepared as well as pancakes and waffles. 

Hong Kong-style dim sum dumplings and a variety of soup was also available.

In addition to the buffet, specialty dishes were available from the à la carte menu, which included egg specialties, sashimi, French toast, and more.

While we found the breakfast here to be overall quite excellent, the price is understandably a deterrent for most cost-conscious travelers. With the Elements Mall just an elevator ride away and dozens of restaurants throughout the mall, you’ll likely find something convenient and more affordable there. However, if you’re willing to splurge on a one-time occasion for breakfast at The Ritz-Carlton, I don’t think you’ll leave disappointed.

Ozone

Ozone is perched on the 118th floor, the highest level of the building. The hotel proudly touts it as the highest open-air rooftop bar in the world, making it a very popular hotspot for visitors. If you’re planning to check it out, I recommend making a reservation prior to your arrival—securing a table, especially one outdoors, can be quite challenging without a reservation.

While the stylish interior offers ample seating, the real highlight of Ozone is its open-air patio, at nearly 500 meters (1,460 feet) above sea level. However, the outdoor window seats are subject to a minimum spending requirement of HK$500 (approximately CA$90) per guest.

Fortunately, we were very pleased to learn that this requirement waived for hotel guests.

We were escorted to a corner table on the outdoor terrace, where we sipped on drinks and nibbled on light bites, all while soaking in the radiant colors of the Hong Kong skyline. This is one of those instances where you have to see it for yourself, as no picture can truly capture the splendor.

Below is the complete food and drink menu for Ozone, featuring an extensive selection of cocktails, spirits, wines, champagne, and light bites.

Café 103

Café 103 is a casual spot known for its popular lunch and dinner buffets featuring local specialties and global favorites. While we didn’t dine there for lunch or dinner, we did stroll through the buffet area and were impressed by the extensive selection of dishes and global cuisines on display.

The buffet offered a wide variety of dishes blending both Western and Asian flavors. It featured everything from fresh salads and pizza to wagyu burgers, sushi, seafood, and a custom-made noodle station.

The evening buffet is priced at HK$898 on weekdays and HK$938 on weekends. However, I noticed on the hotel’s web portal that a 20% discount is available for guests who book and prepay in advance.

Although we would have loved to dine at one of the highly acclaimed restaurants at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, the prices were a bit hard to justify. However, if I ever return, Tin Lung Heen would definitely be at the top of my list to try.

Facilities

Occupying the topmost level of the building on the 118th floor, along with Ozone, are the indoor swimming pool and fitness center.

Fitness Center

The fitness center is a modern facility surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass so you can take in the inspiring view of the city while you get in your morning workout. 

The well equipped gym is outfitted with the latest-generation Technogym equipment which included, strength machines, free weights, cardio machines, and a Smith machine. 

The fitness center is open 24/7 and also included as part of the facilities is access to a steam room and sauna. 

Pool

With another world record to add to its list, is the indoor infinity-edge swimming pool located on the 118th floor. This is the highest swimming pool in the world, and like the rest of the hotel was designed to maximize the stunning Hong Kong views.

The indoor pool had loungers all around and there was a large display at the far end that cycled through short clips of Hong Kong, marine environments, and beach scenes. 

The pool area also featured a jacuzzi and a cold plunge tub. 

Spa

We had planned to visit the spa during our stay, but unfortunately, it was closed to hotel guests due to a promotional event at that time. As a result, we weren’t able to tour the spa facilities.

You can find more details about the spa and the treatments offered here.

Conclusion

In a city brimming with incredible hotels, it’s no small feat to stand out, but The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong does so with remarkable ease, literally towering above the competition. As one of the flagship properties of the Marriott portfolio, this property left me impressed at nearly every turn.

Perched atop the International Commerce Centre, the hotel currently holds or has held several records and offers guests some of the most breathtaking views imaginable in one of the world’s most iconic cities.

The location is incredibly convenient, with direct access to the Elements Mall and the Kowloon MTR station. However, it may not be ideal for those who prefer to explore the city primarily on foot.

All things considered; this is the best city hotel I’ve ever experienced. While a renovation might be on the horizon, the guest rooms and public spaces remain in excellent condition—elegant, luxurious, and impeccably maintained. Combined with the warm and attentive service, this is a hotel I would gladly return to on any future trip to Hong Kong.