Two Hotels In Hong Kong Also Get Nods In Newest Gold List#
Conde Nast Gold List
This week, Condé Nast Traveller magazine released its annual Gold List of the world's 50 "most exclusive, exotic, and amazing" hotels. Following up China's strong showing on last year's "Hot List" of the world's best new hotels, this year China comprises four spots on the Gold List, with two Beijing hotels and two in Hong Kong sitting alongside the best from Paris, New York and Tokyo.
The Chinese contingent on this year's "Gold List":
The Opposite House, Beijing#
Perhaps unsurprisingly for anyone who has visited Beijing's Opposite House, the stylish, contemporary art-packed Sanlitun hotspot has wowed reviewers since opening three years ago. As Gold List contributor Joan Koh said in her review of the hotel, "It's a chic space with regular contemporary-art exhibitions, beautiful staff and outstanding food-and-drink options." From the Gold List review:
Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, this 99-room steel-and-glass boutique hotel opened in Beijing's trendy Sanlitun district in 2008. Its Rubik's Cube-like green-and-yellow glass exterior gives way to a striking, six-floor atrium hung with curtains of steel mesh; simplicity and clean lines are evident throughout. Original sculptures and installations are prominently displayed in the public areas; other features include a gym, two spa-treatment rooms and a 20-metre stainless-steel pool. There are three restaurants, including Bei for Chinese, Japanese and Korean cuisine.
The Opposite House is a regular sight on hotel "Best of" lists
Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing#
A little further out of the way than the Opposite House, Aman at Summer Palace -- Amanresorts' first China hotel -- makes up for its distance from downtown Beijing with history and beauty. (The hotel is a former imperial retreat adjacent to the Summer Palace on the outskirts of Beijing.) It is precisely this seclusion that Conde Nast finds so appealing about Aman, with the magazine listing as selling points that "guests can access the Summer Palace through a private entrance [and] the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Great Wall of China are within easy reach."
There are 51 beautifully designed rooms and suites in a cluster of buildings influenced by the Ming dynasty. Facilities include The Chinese Restaurant and Naoki for French-Japanese dishes.
If "imperial China" is more your style, Aman at Summer Palace is the place
Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong#
With 24-hour butler service, an enviable location right in the middle of the Tsim Sha Tsui East shopping district, panoramic views of Hong Kong island and famed customer service, the recently renovated Kowloon Shangri-La is a natural for the Gold List. While it might not be as flashy as some of the newer boutique hotels to hit Hong Kong in recent years, the Shangri-La is pure luxury, plain and simple. From Conde Nast's review:
The Shangri-La provides panoramic views of the harbour through floor-to-ceiling windows in most of its recently refurbished 688 rooms and suites. A state-of-the-art business centre serves the needs of those in town to close deals, while the fitness centre and health club is open 24 hours. Dining options include Cantonese cuisine at Shang Palace, Japanese at Nadaman and Italian at Angelini.
It's all about the view at the Kowloon Shangri-La
Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong#
While contemporary might not be the strongest suit of the Shangri-La, the Landmark Mandarin Oriental, located in Hong Kong's Central district, is decidedly cutting-edge. Boasting some of the largest hotel rooms in all of Hong Kong (a luxury that doesn't come cheap), the Landmark Mandarin Oriental is also a foodie's paradise, hosting the Michelin-star restaurant Amber, helmed by respected chef Richard Ekkebus. From Conde Nast's review:
The two-level MO Bar offers relaxed, all-day dining and turns into one of the city's favourite nightspots after dark. The service is sharp 24 hours a day, and 'technology butlers' know everything there is to know about electronic gadgetry. The 25,000sq ft spa has an organic café and 19-metre pool.
