During a recent status run, I tried out a new property in one of my favorite cities in the world, Hong Kong. Here is my review of the Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong.
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Location
On Hong Kong Island’s North Point neighborhood against Victoria Harbour, the hotel was easy to access from the MTR but took a long time to reach from the airport via express train and MTR switches.
Address: 1 North Point Estate Lane, North Point, Hong Kong, China
Phone: +852 3762 1234
Room
The room was small, though by Hong Kong standards not tiny. Compared to the Grand Hyatt, also on Hong Kong Island facing Victoria Harbour, the room still felt a little cramped despite being a corner room with great windows. I was not upgraded to a suite despite my Globalist status, more on that later.
The bathroom was beautiful and modern. Marble, clean glass, bright lights and excellent design offered a premium experience. The toilet did not feature a Japanese toilet bidet, a disappointment. However, the shower was excellent (rain shower head and standard sprayer) along with a nice soaking tub and views of the harbour if you chose to open the blinds. I did not.
Breakfast in the Lounge
For those familiar with Hyatt Regency breakfasts in Asia, this Centric was about the same experience. Plenty of fresh fruit and hot items were out along with pastires and charcuterie.
The lounge also offered an omelet station and made-to-order crepes.
Property
The lobby and restaurant are stunning at this porperty. On the lower levels there is also a small mall with a Starbucks for those who may be jetlagged and prefer a taste of home.
One item that is appalling about this 600-room – yes, 600 rooms – property is the absolutely miniscule pool. There was an hour wait for a seat (I counted about a dozen total.) The hotel was fairly empty, I was there on a weekend during a period of unrest where occupancy throughout Hong Kong hotels is said to be at less than 20%, yet the pool was jammed. I can’t imagine what it would be like when the hotel is full. This needs to be remedied – yes, I am suggesting that they build another pool. It’s worth noting that Hong Kong is tropical pretty much year round.
Service
The hotel was trying, there’s no question about that. For those used to a Hyatt Globalist experience in Asia, it’s not there yet. There was no upgrade at checkin. While a manager walked me up to my room (a very nice gesture), the Hyatt amenities just are not there yet. They offered me a 4pm check out, then called me at the standard checkout time and asked if I was going to be staying until 4pm. Then a maid came by around 2:30pm, also not so sure I would be staying until 4pm as stated. These are not egregious issues but also not on par with the Hyatt experience at lesser hotel brands within the chain.
One of my two nights needed to be refunded due to a flight cancellation. They fought me on this initially asking for proof. I provided it. They then acted as if it was unnecessary and encouraged me to use the amount in their bars and restaurants. At checkout they offered to give it back to me… in a month. Again, just not the Hyatt experience I was hoping for.
Value
The hotel cost was low during my stay, I suspect, due to the brand transition, civil unrest and occupancy rates. I paid around $100/nt for my stay, a bargain by Hong Kong standards. I suspect that rates will climb as conditions in Hong Kong improve.
What do you think? Will you try the new Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong? Do you have a different property you prefer?
“…occupancy throughout Hong Kong hotels is said to be at less than 20%”
And you were NOT upgraded to a suite despite your Globalist status??? What is wrong with these people? I would have cost them nothing to upgrade you to a suite. It says a lot about the management and I wouldn’t stay there unless I was forced to.
I was in this Hotel in December 2018 when they were still building the lower shopping concourse. I was hoping that they trained the personal by now.
I have in my notes which I also left with booking: · For a 5 star hotel staff needs some more training, i.e. when arriving nobody was ready to take luggage, housekeeping made some small mistakes, like overlooking some anemeties were out, some dirt in a corner, maybe timeframe for them to short. Some credit cards like discover, Diners Club, are not accepted. Part of the hotel, the mall, is still under construction therefore getting to the lobby is awkward.
At least the last part seems rectified but the training still is not on par by the looks of it. Else I really enjoyed the stay there as the Ferry to Kowloon is directly next to the Hotel. I will be leaving to china shortly and I actually had planned another stay on my way back to Europe in Hong Kong but now I actually will stay clear of it as I don’t want to get stuck in traffic between tear gas and petrol bombs.
I read on FlyerTalk that there are only 6 suites at this property, so that could be a big part of why you weren’t upgraded. We just booked it with points for next fall and applied a suite upgrade without a problem.