The Upper House on Postcard

"For the vibrant scene Set in Admiralty (a slightly calmer slice of prize real estate wedged between Wan Chai and Central), The Upper House was the first hotel in Swire's swish House Collective and the property that made the name of Hong Kong interiors hotshot André Fu. From the discreet entrance to the vertiginous sky bridge which straddles a 48-story atrium, everything feels expensive. The rooms are some of the largest in Hong Kong, all done up in smooth ivory, bronze, and cognac tones with suave touchy-feely furnishings, precisely positioned art pieces and views of the harbor or Victoria Peak. In 2021, the hotel's only restaurant Cafe Grey Deluxe made way for a new modern Mediterranean restaurant Salisterra—also designed by Fu—helmed by 25-year-old chef and ex-Gordon Ramsey protege Cary Docherty, whose presence has made it harder than ever to bag a table. Unusually, there's no swimming pool or spa, but Bamford treatments can be arranged in your room and the Upper House's real appeal is its spoiling exclusivity." - Lee Cobaj

The Best Hotels in Hong Kong

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@cntraveler

"Start us off with an overview: what were your first impressions?One of the most lavish addresses in all of Hong Kong, the Upper House combines a world-class hotel with ultra-sleek minimalist Japanese design. Atop the JW Marriott, but completely distinct from it, the Upper House used to be serviced apartments. Part of the Swire boutique collection of Houses (Opposite, Middle, Temple), its interiors were designed by Hong Kong wunderkind Andre Fu. Got it. So tell us about your room.Upper Suite. Crisp, clean design—with arresting metropolitan and marine views. Cushioned window seats, hippo-sized tub, Jacob Jensen alarm clock. Lights that switch on and off without any fiddling; a wide chrome handle to flush the toilet. I’d return like a shot. The backgammon board is a nice touch, even if you don’t play. The coffee-table book selection seems more for show. Say we're famished. What are our options?Gray Kunz has a restaurant on site. Immediate neighbors at dinner: Chinese tycoon grandparents treating their progeny; Mr. & Mrs. Cashed-Up Senior Tourist; couple on second or third date (he did most of the talking). Modern European cuisine. The lamb rack tagine with apricots, dates, and merguez is beautifully balanced and intelligently presented (Chinese grandpa looked across intently when it was delivered). Breakfast does a neat East/West tango: think congee with ginger and coriander, quinoa yogurt porridge with passion fruit. How did you find service overall?All guests are whisked upstairs; check-in is accomplished in a trice and the room how-tos courteously explained. That a maintenance worker paused in his task to wish me "good morning" and open the door to the lawn is the best service indicator. Imagine the other guests are part of a tribe. How would you describe them?Well-traveled, well-heeled, well-to-do. See above for dinner guests. What about the neighborhood? Anything we should know about this hotel's location?It’s atop Pacific Place mall, which is atop the metro station. Conrad, Shangri-La, JW Marriott in hailing distance. A swathe of retail, like Harvey Nichols, King & Country (model soldiers) all are nearby. Possibly the most comfortable cinema in Hong Kong, too. And there's the Hong Kong Park and aviary and tea museum next door. Trams (street and Peak) are within walking distance. Staying here, you get a genuine sense of the city. What's the one thing you'd change? Balconies are an impossibility, but one can dream. Anything else worth calling out?There’s no spa (yet: treatment salon in the works) or pool, but access can be arranged at sister property EAST, or nearby hotels. The Café Gray Bar is popular for aperitifs, sundowners, nightcaps, and any form of alcohol-accessorized socializing. Bonsai fitness center. The Sky Lounge is dedicated to general rest and recreation, but also regularly hosts talks and discussions. Sum it up for us: Worth it, and why?This is one of Hong Kong’s acupressure points: in the city, but set judiciously apart, hospitable and imaginative." - Ed Peters

The Upper House

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@goop

"This sleek, boutique-like hotel—which offers spectacular views of the city—is inarguably one of the Hong Kong's best. Streamlined, but supremely luxurious rooms are just the first step: Each room offers a free mini-bar, replete with snacks and drinks, Café Gray up on a sky-scraping floor, and a great gym with floor-to-ceiling windows."

The Hong Kong Guide

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@gq

“I think it's the nicest, coolest hotel in Hong Kong. It's on the middle floors of a high-rise—the rooms start on the 38th floor. Hong Kong is this super-modern city nestled into a jungle, so you get beautiful views. At night, it's got a great bar. I have meetings there all the time. I've stayed there more times than I can count. Like, when I go, they say, ‘Welcome home.’ They're like family to me. One of the best bathrooms, too. Even for the regular standard rooms, they have this tub, surrounded by windows. I'm a bathroom snob, man. I think bathrooms make or break a hotel room. Sometimes I think the bathroom is more cozy than the room itself.” —Dr. Woo

The Hotels We Return to Again and Again

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@cntraveler

"In this latest episode of the Travelogue podcast, we decided to explore some of hotel controversies, starting with whether or not to take a bath (signs point to yes, especially if you're staying at The Upper House) and ending with the joys and perils of room service."

Things You Should Never, Ever Do in a Hotel: Travelogue Podcast

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Crimson B

Google

This was my second time staying at Upper House, in Room 4505 for 5 nights. Once again, they exceeded all expectations! I've stayed at many hotels around the world, but Upper House truly stands out as the best. From the moment I stepped into my room, I was greeted with a handwritten welcome card—a thoughtful and personal touch that made me feel truly valued. As if that wasn’t enough, they also left a lovely gift in my room to welcome me back.||Their attention to detail is remarkable. After a long day, I returned to find cookies in my room—and, even more impressively, they had provided milk in a hot flask. After 10 hours, it was still nice and warm! To top it all off, knowing I had an extremely early flight to catch, they prepared breakfast and a mocha to-go, which was such a thoughtful gesture. I also loved the complimentary snacks in the mini bar—such a delightful touch!||A special thank you to Alex and the team for making my stay so enjoyable. Every detail, from the exceptional service to the luxurious comfort of the room, was perfect. Upper House goes above and beyond to create a memorable experience, and I cannot recommend this hotel enough. I’m already looking forward to my next visit!

maureen i

Google

We couldn’t fault the service from all departments. The rooms are exactly as shown on the website, large, comfortable and well designed. We loved our harbour view. The room attendants were fabulous no request went unanswered. Breakfast, great choices and wonderful views. The management team and concierge teams were superb. We stayed for 7 nights, it was the last stop on a long holiday to celebrate my Husbands Birthday and our 50th anniversary and we felt truly spoilt. Highly recommend, Great Location and excellent value.

Kitty H

Google

This is a birthday celebration trip for my husband. The sweet arrangement, very attentive services and spacious room, which gave us a wonderful memories. The view from bath room is unbeatable. Great food & beverage options - top floor breakfast and the dinner in The Continental are great! It is very convenient for shopping too.

Venture11168496309

Google

This is a top rate hotel. The room was beautiful and spacious and immaculately maintained. The bar has got to be one of the best in Hong Kong and the service from the team - particularly mention for Sharon - exemplary. We regularly stay in many deluxe hotels and this is one of the best.

Joan Ramon Carol

Google

Review for The Upper House, Hong Kong I recently had the pleasure of staying at The Upper House, and I can say without a doubt that it is one of the best hotels in the city. From the moment we arrived, the staff were attentive and personable, paying attention to every detail to ensure our stay was perfect. The rooms are incredible, with stunning views of the bay that made every sunrise and sunset a memorable experience. The breakfast, cocktails and dinner offered at the hotel are of exceptional quality, further enhancing the dining experience. What really made our stay unforgettable was the hotel's management team, who made sure everything was perfect. Their professionalism and dedication made a huge difference. Thank you so much, The Upper House, for making our stay in Hong Kong so special.

Fabrice Bensoussan

Google

I've had the pleasure of staying at The Upper House multiple times, both before and after COVID, whenever my family visits me in Hong Kong. This hotel consistently delivers an exceptional experience. The rooms are incredibly spacious, especially by Hong Kong standards. The breakfast is excellent, and the fitness facilities, including well-equipped gym and yoga classes, are perfect, even though there's no pool. The service is impeccable, with attentive staff who ensure every detail is taken care of. The room amenities are impressive, featuring a variety of technological and bathroom accessories. I particularly love the mini-bar that's at your disposal. The hotel is suitable for couples, families, and business travelers alike. The location is unbeatable—right in the heart of Hong Kong at Pacific Place in Admiralty. What I appreciate most is the efficient, no-fuss check-in and check-out process. I despise long check-ins, and The Upper House is the only hotel in the world I've experienced where this process is incredibly swift. Overall, The Upper House is my top choice for accommodation in Hong Kong.

Mike J

Google

When I pulled up in my taxi at noon, there was no one to take my luggage or greet me. There were no porters at all. I saw an employee helping to load another group of guests’ luggage in the car at snail speed. Even after, he was just standing there and completely ignored me. My taxi driver was dumbfounded and I had to open the door myself and carry the luggage inside while the employee watched; there were several staff members inside who did not bother to come out and assist. Later during my entire stay, I was not greeted once entering or leaving property. The staff did not even bother to crack a smile and just stared at me, unlike how they treat other guests. ||Check-in was friendly and efficient. I was offered to sit down and hand the staff my ID and credit card. The room, however, wasn’t ready initially, so I was told it would be ready in half an hour. Luckily, the wait was shorter than that and I was escorted to the room and given a friendly room tour. During the stay, except for check-out, the porters were not proactive in opening door and sometimes ignored me and no smiles either. ||The first impressions of the room was how small it is. Contrary to the (anticipated) advertised 730 square ft, it doesn’t feel nearly as much large. The bedroom area was like any regular five star hotel room which comes with a large bathroom. Certainly would not be mistaken for a suite or even a junior suite. For a hotel that is widely publicized for the size of the rooms, this is questionable as 700 square feet would easily qualify for a suite at any other hotel. The bathroom and closet area in the end unnecessarily large and redundant. There is not a proper foyer, to think that space could’ve been utilized more carefully. As a result, the room feels considerably exposed.||Furniture is well-maintained despite beginning to show its age. Sofa was comfortable but sinks in and is aging but the desk/fridge area was a joy to use. Mini-bar excluding alcohol was also complimentary. Television was fairly obsolete and had sound issues. Switching channels would make the sound either really quiet or really loud. One thing to be noted here is that this hotel offers adult films on Television. Families with children should be aware. As it was for charge, it supports the pornographic industry which I find morally wrong. ||The dual vanity and the bathroom was a joy to use and I thought the purified tap was a good feature. However, compared to newer hotels, there are no wash-lets with bidet. Carpet was visibly stained across the room and there were scratches inside the closet. Air conditioner was hard to control and wasn’t working on the first presses. Even when it’s turned off the ventilation in the room is still not off. I still wake up feeling cold. The bed was comfortable but the quality of linen were mediocre and so were the pillows. One caveat was that the hair dryer had a scary burnt smell and only works if you tilt it certain ways||My “mountain-view” room, was met with very little privacy. Neighboring skyscrapers of the Pacific Place and others take up most of the views and are within very close view. If the windows are two-way as they say, the people in the office towers could see as clear as day what goes on in the rooms. Overall not a pleasant view to have. I did not get the nice mountain view in the advertising pictures. This is probably one of the worst rooms in the hotel. ||There is a mandatory escalator which you will have to take to get to the rooms. This alone would be a reason not to return as I find it not very luxurious. The elevator, however, was tastefully decorated and super fast which made it comfortable as a person who’s not fond of elevator rides. The lobby area was also minuscule with little seating and luggages were stowed in public areas visibly. ||There isn’t much facilities to the hotel name, a small gym on the upper floors and a restaurant. No pools or such alike. The cafe off of the escalator does draw in quite a bit of outside guests. In general the hotel is more suited to a business crowd.||Room service was consistently underwhelming except for a fantastic (expensive) steak meal. Dan-dan noodles were gooey and stuck together and tasted rather bad as well. Creme caramel was small in portion and had too much of an egg taste. Breakfast waffles were overpriced ($178) and mediocre. I would have to say each time I called, the operator was nice and well-spoken. ||Check-out process was efficient but cold and informal. I was not offered to sit down like during check-in. Porter was quick to get the car door for me, unlike before. But my luggage was not loaded in the car when I asked them to and I had to wave to them to load it. The car nearly left without it.||Overall I find the hotel to be extremely overrated and overpriced. Very little value in paying such a high rate. I would steer potential guests over to the Rosewood or the Four Seasons instead. I did not feel like a valued guest and I can not see myself returning. The intentions of this review was not for a better treatment in the future or any comp stays as I would rather stay elsewhere when I’m in HK.

Kimberly Lallouz

Google

My only choice of hotel over and over again when in HK- comfortable and beautiful rooms / bathrooms, the best beds one can dream to sleep in, delicious food and top notch service. Excellent location and stunning views!

Crimson B

Google

This was my second time staying at Upper House, in Room 4505 for 5 nights. Once again, they exceeded all expectations! I've stayed at many hotels around the world, but Upper House truly stands out as the best. From the moment I stepped into my room, I was greeted with a handwritten welcome card—a thoughtful and personal touch that made me feel truly valued. As if that wasn’t enough, they also left a lovely gift in my room to welcome me back.||Their attention to detail is remarkable. After a long day, I returned to find cookies in my room—and, even more impressively, they had provided milk in a hot flask. After 10 hours, it was still nice and warm! To top it all off, knowing I had an extremely early flight to catch, they prepared breakfast and a mocha to-go, which was such a thoughtful gesture. I also loved the complimentary snacks in the mini bar—such a delightful touch!||A special thank you to Alex and the team for making my stay so enjoyable. Every detail, from the exceptional service to the luxurious comfort of the room, was perfect. Upper House goes above and beyond to create a memorable experience, and I cannot recommend this hotel enough. I’m already looking forward to my next visit!

maureen i

Google

We couldn’t fault the service from all departments. The rooms are exactly as shown on the website, large, comfortable and well designed. We loved our harbour view. The room attendants were fabulous no request went unanswered. Breakfast, great choices and wonderful views. The management team and concierge teams were superb. We stayed for 7 nights, it was the last stop on a long holiday to celebrate my Husbands Birthday and our 50th anniversary and we felt truly spoilt. Highly recommend, Great Location and excellent value.

Kitty H

Google

This is a birthday celebration trip for my husband. The sweet arrangement, very attentive services and spacious room, which gave us a wonderful memories. The view from bath room is unbeatable. Great food & beverage options - top floor breakfast and the dinner in The Continental are great! It is very convenient for shopping too.

Venture11168496309

Google

This is a top rate hotel. The room was beautiful and spacious and immaculately maintained. The bar has got to be one of the best in Hong Kong and the service from the team - particularly mention for Sharon - exemplary. We regularly stay in many deluxe hotels and this is one of the best.

Joan Ramon Carol

Google

Review for The Upper House, Hong Kong I recently had the pleasure of staying at The Upper House, and I can say without a doubt that it is one of the best hotels in the city. From the moment we arrived, the staff were attentive and personable, paying attention to every detail to ensure our stay was perfect. The rooms are incredible, with stunning views of the bay that made every sunrise and sunset a memorable experience. The breakfast, cocktails and dinner offered at the hotel are of exceptional quality, further enhancing the dining experience. What really made our stay unforgettable was the hotel's management team, who made sure everything was perfect. Their professionalism and dedication made a huge difference. Thank you so much, The Upper House, for making our stay in Hong Kong so special.

Fabrice Bensoussan

Google

I've had the pleasure of staying at The Upper House multiple times, both before and after COVID, whenever my family visits me in Hong Kong. This hotel consistently delivers an exceptional experience. The rooms are incredibly spacious, especially by Hong Kong standards. The breakfast is excellent, and the fitness facilities, including well-equipped gym and yoga classes, are perfect, even though there's no pool. The service is impeccable, with attentive staff who ensure every detail is taken care of. The room amenities are impressive, featuring a variety of technological and bathroom accessories. I particularly love the mini-bar that's at your disposal. The hotel is suitable for couples, families, and business travelers alike. The location is unbeatable—right in the heart of Hong Kong at Pacific Place in Admiralty. What I appreciate most is the efficient, no-fuss check-in and check-out process. I despise long check-ins, and The Upper House is the only hotel in the world I've experienced where this process is incredibly swift. Overall, The Upper House is my top choice for accommodation in Hong Kong.

Mike J

Google

When I pulled up in my taxi at noon, there was no one to take my luggage or greet me. There were no porters at all. I saw an employee helping to load another group of guests’ luggage in the car at snail speed. Even after, he was just standing there and completely ignored me. My taxi driver was dumbfounded and I had to open the door myself and carry the luggage inside while the employee watched; there were several staff members inside who did not bother to come out and assist. Later during my entire stay, I was not greeted once entering or leaving property. The staff did not even bother to crack a smile and just stared at me, unlike how they treat other guests. ||Check-in was friendly and efficient. I was offered to sit down and hand the staff my ID and credit card. The room, however, wasn’t ready initially, so I was told it would be ready in half an hour. Luckily, the wait was shorter than that and I was escorted to the room and given a friendly room tour. During the stay, except for check-out, the porters were not proactive in opening door and sometimes ignored me and no smiles either. ||The first impressions of the room was how small it is. Contrary to the (anticipated) advertised 730 square ft, it doesn’t feel nearly as much large. The bedroom area was like any regular five star hotel room which comes with a large bathroom. Certainly would not be mistaken for a suite or even a junior suite. For a hotel that is widely publicized for the size of the rooms, this is questionable as 700 square feet would easily qualify for a suite at any other hotel. The bathroom and closet area in the end unnecessarily large and redundant. There is not a proper foyer, to think that space could’ve been utilized more carefully. As a result, the room feels considerably exposed.||Furniture is well-maintained despite beginning to show its age. Sofa was comfortable but sinks in and is aging but the desk/fridge area was a joy to use. Mini-bar excluding alcohol was also complimentary. Television was fairly obsolete and had sound issues. Switching channels would make the sound either really quiet or really loud. One thing to be noted here is that this hotel offers adult films on Television. Families with children should be aware. As it was for charge, it supports the pornographic industry which I find morally wrong. ||The dual vanity and the bathroom was a joy to use and I thought the purified tap was a good feature. However, compared to newer hotels, there are no wash-lets with bidet. Carpet was visibly stained across the room and there were scratches inside the closet. Air conditioner was hard to control and wasn’t working on the first presses. Even when it’s turned off the ventilation in the room is still not off. I still wake up feeling cold. The bed was comfortable but the quality of linen were mediocre and so were the pillows. One caveat was that the hair dryer had a scary burnt smell and only works if you tilt it certain ways||My “mountain-view” room, was met with very little privacy. Neighboring skyscrapers of the Pacific Place and others take up most of the views and are within very close view. If the windows are two-way as they say, the people in the office towers could see as clear as day what goes on in the rooms. Overall not a pleasant view to have. I did not get the nice mountain view in the advertising pictures. This is probably one of the worst rooms in the hotel. ||There is a mandatory escalator which you will have to take to get to the rooms. This alone would be a reason not to return as I find it not very luxurious. The elevator, however, was tastefully decorated and super fast which made it comfortable as a person who’s not fond of elevator rides. The lobby area was also minuscule with little seating and luggages were stowed in public areas visibly. ||There isn’t much facilities to the hotel name, a small gym on the upper floors and a restaurant. No pools or such alike. The cafe off of the escalator does draw in quite a bit of outside guests. In general the hotel is more suited to a business crowd.||Room service was consistently underwhelming except for a fantastic (expensive) steak meal. Dan-dan noodles were gooey and stuck together and tasted rather bad as well. Creme caramel was small in portion and had too much of an egg taste. Breakfast waffles were overpriced ($178) and mediocre. I would have to say each time I called, the operator was nice and well-spoken. ||Check-out process was efficient but cold and informal. I was not offered to sit down like during check-in. Porter was quick to get the car door for me, unlike before. But my luggage was not loaded in the car when I asked them to and I had to wave to them to load it. The car nearly left without it.||Overall I find the hotel to be extremely overrated and overpriced. Very little value in paying such a high rate. I would steer potential guests over to the Rosewood or the Four Seasons instead. I did not feel like a valued guest and I can not see myself returning. The intentions of this review was not for a better treatment in the future or any comp stays as I would rather stay elsewhere when I’m in HK.

Kimberly Lallouz

Google

My only choice of hotel over and over again when in HK- comfortable and beautiful rooms / bathrooms, the best beds one can dream to sleep in, delicious food and top notch service. Excellent location and stunning views!

The Upper House

The Upper House

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