Wednesday, November 21, 2007

The Luxe Manor, Hong Kong


Stayed at a relatively new boutique hotel in Hong Kong this September 2007. The Luxe Manor is purportedly the first boutique hotel to open on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong. (The Hong Kong Island side already has its Lanson Place and Philippe Starck-inspired Jia).

The Luxe Manor is a 159-room establishment that opened its doors on December 2006 and positions itself as a luxury hotel that marries a unique "surreal concept and design" (inspired by Dali and Antonio Gaudi) with advanced technology (wireless broadband throughout hotel, wireless VoIP telephony, high definition video-on-demand, LCD flat screen TV panels, keyless room security system etc.)


I took advantage of their "winter rendezvous" special offer (valid till 31 December 2007) and booked their superior room package at HKD 950 +++ (approx USD122, SGD177), almost 50% discount off their usual rack rate.

My main purpose in visiting Hong Kong was to do some sightseeing and shopping and the hotel was conveniently located at the heart of the bustling Tsim Sha Tsui, where you are surrounded by stretches of local boutiques and eateries. The Kowloon equivalent of the pubbing street, Lan Kwai Fong is the Knutsford Terrace, which is literally a stone's throw away, as its located right behind the hotel. The subway station of Tsim Sha Tsui is about a good 5 - 8 minute easy walk.




The superior room is a tad tiny. We had trouble fitting two medium-sized luggages on whatever little space was afforded, as the room was filled up with furnishings. Some may find the room décor a little busy, but I actually liked it and found the little touches of trompe l'oeil whimsical.


The special offer package also came with complimentary breakfast at the hotel's current sole-standing restaurant, Aspasia. The hotel, being a cosy, boutique establishment doesn't boast of much facilities (no swimming pool, although there is supposedly a gym that I hadn't check out, only one restaurant so far but there is a business centre). They do try to make up for it by adding little touches such as daily evening turn-down service that puts little plates of cookies or cakes in your room; scented lobby that offers much respite from the assault of olfactory senses by the street smells.

Service-wise, mostly unobtrusive. All in all, I had a pleasant stay.

For more information on The Luxe Manor, refer to website: http://www.theluxemanor.com/

2 comments:

Lara Dunston said...

Oh, but there's the Minden too - it must be near to this one - we stayed there around 3 years ago. I think it could have been the first boutique hotel in that area. It's more of a contemporary classic business hotel with a few quirky touches, but this one looks even more whimsical!

Unknown said...

Hi Bon Viveur, The Luxe Manor recently launches a green campaign 'Make a Green Wish and Save the World'. A green initiative worths to find out more. Free airtickets and rooms for winners of the game. Thanks for supporting the environment.
www.theluxemanor.com/greenwish