Hong Kong Boutique Hotel Tuve Brings Industrial Chic to Tin Hau Area

Space is no doubt a luxury for tourists in Hong Kong. Maximizing it is a common thread in hotel design across the city, but for the main players in the industry, innovative design concepts take a backseat to competitive pricing in the midst of a tourism slump. Chinese visitor numbers dropped by nearly 10 percent in July in line with a downturn in retail sales and continued to slow after Golden Week. Yet, the management behind Tuve, a newly opened boutique hotel located in the laid-back Tin Hau area, took a risk few others in the high end hotel scene dare to take. That much is clear the moment a guest encounters its narrow, dark facade, which is easy to overlook as its set back from a street full of unassuming shops. Past a steel door, guests step into an unlikely hallway as far as hotel hallways go: it is cool and cave-like, and its structure incorporates primarily raw materials like concrete and marble. Even the sandalwood scented incense adds to the semi-industrial feel. Tuve brings to Hong Kong minimalist design that takes its guests on an artistic journey that starts at the grand, steel reception counter and continues in the starkly contrasting, all-white hallways and luxurious rooms. The 66-room hotel got its name from Lake Tuve in Sweden, and it is this theme that subtly appears throughout in an ode to detail. Danish photographer Kim Høltermand's famous black and white images of the Lake Tuve that resemble a heartbeat inspired a similar pattern on Tuve's website, and on the doors to the rooms. Tuve's website only features photos of its rooms in black and white (color photos can be found on social media), drawing a tourist that likely has an artistic Instagram portfolio. Only these guests will appreciate the stand-out concept, according to Managing Director Pauline Tsang. The concept itself is extremely new and in the early phases of acceptance in Hong Kong. Thus, Tuve's most popular rooms are still the ones with a warmer feel that make use of wood in their design. The alternative is softly lit, concrete-heavy deluxe rooms that make clever use of space, both physically and atmospherically. All of it goes for upwards of $200 a night. Tuve's 4.5-star price point would usually cover amenities like a bar, spa, and gym in its category, but guests trade this for exclusive perks like premium products in their mini bar—guests will find high-end tonics and liquor, Coca Cola in glass bottles, and craft beer, plus gourmet pour-over coffee. Next door, the hotel's restaurant, Silver Room, beautifully prepares Italian and Japanese fusion, making for more delicious Instagram posts. Even the TV guide and brochures left in the room are personalized with thoughtful poetry. The whole package fits the bill for the newly wealthy Chinese tourists embarking on “experience tourism," who want a stay that chain hotels can't offer them. Tsang said that while so far, the reception from mainland Chinese tourists who have stayed at Tuve has been positive, the bulk of Chinese consumers still need time to be educated about the benefits of Tuve's design concepts. Tuve's typical mainland Chinese guests are families from first- and second-tier cities whose children can speak English or are career-minded single travelers. These guests, Tsang said, are not the ones looking for deals and discounts like their counterparts, but are supporting a local business that Tuve founders hope can be sustainable for the long-term.

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Hong Kong Boutique Hotel Tuve Brings Industrial Chic to Tin Hau Area