[Hong Kong] Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong: 10 Reasons Why You Should Stay Here
[Update in Sep 2019: Hotel VIC on the Harbour has since been rebranded as Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong.]
A luxurious development standing amidst the rustic neighbourhood of North Point, Hotel VIC on the Harbour is the latest hotel landmark in Hong Kong.
All 673 guestrooms in both twin towers offer stunning harbour views and the old-school neighbourhood showcases a living history of how much Hong Kong has changed from its earlier colonial days to the modern city it has now become.
What North Point Means To Me
For me, the North Point neighbourhood - or particularly, the area that Hotel VIC now stands - at the northeastern part of Hong Kong Island is also one which holds fond memories of my childhood. Before the area gave way to this modern development, the North Point Estate, developed in the 1950s by the Hong Kong Housing Authority, was where my grandparents and maternal side of the family called home.
I recall the carefree days when I used to stay over with the grannies during the holidays to enjoy wonderful home-cooked meals, learn about different kinds of fishes in the wet market or simply watch the buses leave the bus terminal from the balcony.
6-Night Stay
When Hotel VIC opened its door in July 2018, I immediately booked a room with my mum to reminisce about the good days and took a 6-night stay at the Upper Premium Harbour View room.
Apart from the breathtaking harbour view from our room, we really enjoyed the wonderful service, hotel amenities, modern design and technology-enabled conveniences.
Here are the 10 reasons why you should stay at Hotel VIC the next time you visit Hong Kong!
1. Perfect Room View
This was the gorgeous view I woke up to every morning. Need I say more?
With unblocked spectacular views of the Victoria Harbour with Tsim Sha Tsui on the left and Kwun Tong on the right, this hotel offers unparalleled views of the other side of Hong Kong - one away from the busy hustle and bustle of the city.
2. Modern Room Design
Hotel VIC's guestrooms are designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates, the largest hospitality design firm in the world. All the rooms boast sleek modern designs, free minibar upon arrival, Nespresso coffee machine, lightning-fast WiFi, and free use of smartphone with unlimited connection in the city and free IDD to selected countries.
For guests who are less conservative, the blinds between the bathroom and sleeping area can be raised, so yes - you can still enjoy the harbour view during your shower!
3. Technology-Enabled Conveniences
This hotel is the first in Hong Kong that allows self check-in. Beat the queues by using a QR code received after online check-in (prior to arrival) and the key card kiosk enables guests to be issued with their room keys. A self-help map kiosk near the Level 2 check-in lobby also informs guests on the key foodie, explorer, adventure, shopping and religious highlights around the city.
But of course, if you still prefer a human touch, the very friendly VIC staff are always around to offer a tip or two about their favourite recommendations of Hong Kong.
4. Instagram-Worthy Spots
What's a holiday without telling your friends back home about how much you are enjoying yourself? The sophisticated hotel interiors are done up by AFSO, the design studio which is also behind the beautifully-designed The Fullerton Bay Hotel in Singapore and The Upper House in Hong Kong.
Look out for the modern bronze finishes, marble tops and contemporary artworks curated across the hotel. Get your cameras ready!
5. Infinity Pool
Talking about Instagram-worthy spots in the hotel, the outdoor rooftop pool definitely deserves a special mention of its own. The pool offers infinity views of the Victoria Harbour and beyond, and one is probably more tempted to sit back to enjoy the view than do the actual swimming. With the deepest end at only 1.35 metres, perhaps the pool was really designed more for guests to take quick dips and photos.
Singapore's Marine Bay Sands (MBS) hotel's infinity pool is always way too crowded and it's hardly possible to get a photo of yourself without having others in it. With Hotel VIC's rooms at a fraction of MBS' price, this is really a steal. Be at the envy of your friends as you strike the best pose in your bikini!
6. Sumptuous Dining
Enjoy sumptuous food in stylish atmosphere at Hotel VIC's three dining establishments: Farmhouse with its all-day international food, Farmhouse Deli offering beautiful cakes and special house-brewed coffee and of course, Cruise, the roof-top romantic outdoor bar providing panoramic views of the Victoria Harbour and a wide choice of cocktails.
The breakfast buffet I had at Farmhouse offered much variety, from various hot dishes, freshly cooked omelette and dim sums to yogurt, fresh fruits and juices which you can order on request. As expected, it was enough to last me through my shopping at the outlet mall!
7. Free Shuttle Service To Town
Complimentary hotel shuttle bus services are available between Hotel VIC and key locations on Hong Kong Island. Personally, I found the stop going to "Admiralty Centre" the best, as the pick-up/ drop-off point is located within sheltered distance from the Admiralty MTR station.
For those less familiar with Hong Kong, the Admiralty MTR station is the interchange station between the Hong Kong Island line (between Kennedy Town, North Point and Chai Wan), Tsuen Wan line (between Tsuen Wan, Kowloon and Central) and South Island line (between South Horizons, Ocean Park and Admiralty).
8. Genuine Service
If you need help from Hotel VIC to other parts of Hong Kong, food/ shopping/ sightseeing recommendations or simply have in-room requests, the very approachable and polite guest experience and conceirge officers are always around at various touchpoints to offer help.
In particular, Ms Karen Chan (VIC Experience Manager) remembered my mum and me by name, and it's always very heart-warming returning to a hotel with smiling faces that recognise you.
9. Rustic Neighbourhood
The old Hong Kong streets are known to be filled with street hawkers peddling cheap items and food, and buildings dressed flamboyantly in neon billboards.
Take a 10-min stroll from Hotel VIC to the famous Chun Yeung Street wet market. As featured by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, it is here in this market where you "enter another world of food shopping which refuses to be extinguished by modern supermarkets". Walk amongst old stalls selling fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and seafood - and for me, it's always a fascinating sight watching butchers and fishmongers showing off their craft.
Come night fall, North Point is also one of the lesser known and less
tourist-populated areas with neon lights still filling the
nightscape. With modern buildings taking over and the government crackdown on
outdoor structures, these sights become even more treasured for photography buffs visting this Pearl of the Orient.
10. Hong Kong Tram
After visiting Chun Yeung Street where one of the terminals of the famous Hong Kong trams is located, take a ride around Hong Kong island. Affectionately also called Ding-Dings by locals because of the sound this vehicle makes, the tram is one of Hong Kong's oldest public transport mode with over 110 years of history.
I love it because it's the best way to absorb the sights, sounds and smells of the local neighbourhood at a really affordable HK$2.60 (S$0.50) per ride - from one end to the other!
Conclusion
Hotel VIC is positioned as a hotel where you can experience affordable luxury living and I agree that it definitely lives up to its promise.
A modern development juxtoposed against the rustic charm of the quintessential North Point neighbourhood, guests are also able to experience an authentic side of Hong Kong, staying amidst the locals going about in their daily lives.
Recommended for the modern tourist and tech-saavy business traveller, this hotel development also boasts an adjoining mall. I am really looking forward to seeing the upcoming Harbour North mall with its shopping and dining facilities the next time I visit Hong Kong!
Hotel VIC on the Harbour (webpage)
1 North Point Estate Lane,
North Point, Hong Kong.
(Accessible via direct bus A11 from Hong Kong International Airport)
Share this with your friends and follow us!
Facebook: @TheHedgehogKnows
Instagram: @TheHedgehogKnows
Pin for later: @TheHedgehogKnows
