Hong Kong is back! OK, that might be a touch too enthusiastic, but the city is starting to finally recover from the lagging effects of one of the harshest COVID-19 lockdowns in the world, that only fully came to an end in January 2023. Incoming tourism numbers are on the up, events and conferences are starting to flock back and there’s at last some hope the city can start climbing back to where it was pre-pandemic.
Likewise, the 2025 edition of Hong Kong Filmart should be the biggest one in years, by virtue of the fact that as the city recovers, the event recaptures some of its lost-to-COVID importance and visitor numbers increase. With Filmart’s return to normalcy, The Hollywood Reporter is also back with more extensive coverage of Hong Kong from the perspective of attendees, including where to stay, where to eat and drink and more. Lest we forget, despite its truly terrible recent economic history, Hong Kong still ranks as one of the world’s best culinary and cultural capitals.
We begin with where to stay in Hong Kong, particularly for executives in need of comfort and convenience. Whether you’re looking for last-minute accommodations, a change of hotel or to extend your stay in the city after Filmart wraps — not a bad idea given Art Basel Hong Kong and Art Central take place between March 26-30 — THR has you covered with a list of eight hotels to suit all sorts of budgets, with key details on distance from the Filmart site at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), as well as local transport, facilities and the general vibe of the establishments.
The Peninsula
The vibe: Undoubtedly the most famous hotel in Hong Kong — and one of the most famous in the world — is The Peninsula. The original and arguably the best of all the high luxury hotels found in The Peninsula Hotels group, the flagship location has that old-world colonial charm, mixed with quintessentially modern Hong Kong elements. A favorite of actors, politicians, billionaires and the aspirational, we won’t dwell too much on why The Peninsula is a must-stay — if you can afford it — since whole books have been written about it, but very briefly the hotel is famed for its service, luxury and that added touch of class.
Even if you’re not staying at The Peninsula, the hotel is a must-visit for high tea, to sample one of the many excellent restaurants, or just to see the signature fleet of “Peninsula green” Rolls-Royce cars that are camped outside the entrance, ready to whisk away the rich and famous.
The location: The Achilles heel of The Peninsula has always been its location, situated as it is on the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbour. Walking to the HKCEC is out, but a cab ride is only 20 minutes or so, depending on the traffic. And perhaps you can convince them to lend you one of their Rolls-Royces.
The price: In the past, The Peninsula was at the apex of hotel pricing in Hong Kong, but these days the venerable old institution has become something of a bargain, especially as pricing for luxury hotels has rocketed upwards. A night at the hotel can be snapped up for as little as $590 per night this month.
The details: The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Kowloon. Telephone: +852 2920 2888. Website: https://www.peninsula.com/en/hong-kong/
Four Seasons Hong Kong
The vibe: Another familiar global luxury hotel brand might seem a rather obvious choice, but the Four Seasons Hong Kong offers a host of advantages to the business traveler, not least its location a few minutes walk away from the MTR and the Airport Express train. Anyone looking to maximize their time in the city, and also remove as much travel hassle as possible, will love this hotel. But the Four Seasons is also packed with surprises, not least the rooftop pool and the excellent restaurant options.
The Four Seasons also has a few quirky details that might appeal to the Hollywood crowd. As part of a partnership with HBO, the hotel’s Pool Terrace is currently decked out with cabanas inspired by The White Lotus, which was filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui in Thailand. There are even special drinks and food inspired by the show.
The location: As previously mentioned, the Four Seasons is ideally situated in Central, a 10-minute cab ride to HKCEC or a 17-minute ride on public transport. The hotel is also part of the IFC mall, which contains all the luxury brands you can think of, as well as an excellent cinema.
The price: Rooms this month start at $640 per night, before service charge.
The details: Four Seasons Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central. Telephone: +852 3196 8888. Website: https://www.fourseasons.com/hongkong/
The Hari
The vibe: One of the newer hotels on the list, The Hari opened in 2021, in the middle of the pandemic. The 210-room hotel features sleek and modern rooms with all the mod-cons with views of The Peak, Victoria Harbour and the surrounding neighborhoods of Wan Chai and Causeway Bay. Though it’s not a business hotel, The Hari lends itself to dealmaking with plenty of meeting spaces, including restaurants (Japanese spot Zoku and Italian eatery Lucciola) and lounge and terrace areas.
The location: Another hotel that’s a short distance from the HKCEC, The Hari is a 15-minute walk or a 7-minute car ride, depending on traffic. The hotel is also a short walk from the world-class shopping district of Causeway Bay as well as the MTR.
The price: Rooms at The Hari start from $310 per night in March.
The details: The Hari Hong Kong, 330 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai. Telephone: +852 2129 0388. Website: https://www.thehari.com/hong-kong/
Rosewood Hong Kong
The vibe: Another crown jewel of Hong Kong hospitality, the Rosewood Hong Kong is the flagship location of the globe-spanning luxury hotel brand Rosewood. The hotel ranked third in The World’s Best Hotels list for 2024, and it earned its award-winning reputation through its gilded service and sumptuous rooms. Rosewood Hong Kong celebrated its fifth anniversary last year, so the building is still relatively new and features all the mod cons and additional services that do their best to fill up the almost 1,000 ft. high, $2.6 billion tower that houses the hotel.
With its huge footprint, the Rosewood has several restaurants and food options, as well as bar concepts, and the hotel is well worth a visit for tourism reasons alone. It’s also a short walk from the giant K11 Musea mall that is filled to the brim with luxury brands and also has an IMAX cinema.
The location: Like The Peninsula, the Rosewood is located on the Kowloon side of town, so making it rather awkward to get to and from the HKCEC, although the harbor views are infinitely better from the “mainland” side of Hong Kong. Both public transport and taxis will take 20 to 25 minutes from the hotel to the convention center.
The price: As befits a hotel ranked amongst the best in the world, the Rosewood Hong Kong is not cheap. Not even remotely. But if you’re looking to splash the cash for a night or two (or better yet, somebody else is picking up the tab), then forking over $850 per night in March is well worth it.
The details: Rosewood, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui. Telephone: +852 3891 8888. Website: https://www.rosewoodhotels.com//en/hong-kong
The Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
The vibe: If The Peninsula is the most famous Hong Kong hotel, the Mandarin Oriental is not far behind in terms of its notoriety. The originating hotel in the now 40-plus locations Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, the MO is packed with history, and even offers tours for those who might be interested. The hotel revels in its old-world image, and features 10 bars and restaurants, including the wonderful Captain’s Bar, a veritable Hong Kong institution that has been going strong for almost 60 years. If you have the time and the inclination, a trip to the old-timey barbers inside the MO is also well worth it.
The location: The original MO is located in Central, right in the heart of the financial district. The immediate area is pretty quiet but the hotel is a short walk away from good shopping areas like Queens Road Central and The Landmark mall. To the HKCEC, the MO is less than a 10-minute car ride away or 12 minutes on public transport. Just be sure not to confuse this hotel with the Landmark Mandarin Oriental (seriously, it’s easily done) which rather annoyingly for newbies to Hong Kong is located a few minutes walk away.
The price: Rooms start from $620 per night this month.
The details: Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road, Central. Telephone: +852 2522 0111. Website: https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/hong-kong
The Fleming
The vibe: A 66-room boutique hotel in the heart of the Wan Chai district, The Fleming has buckets of charm to go with its natural advantages of location and convenience. The hotel design is inspired by the iconic Hong Kong Harbour ferries, so expect a slight nautical theme to the decor, but overall, the atmosphere is relaxed and chic. The hotel lacks add-on services like gyms and spas, but there is a great Italian restaurant downstairs, that doubles as the perfect meeting place.
The location: The Fleming is the second-best hotel on this list when it comes to location, as it is only a straight 9-minute walk to the HKCEC, or a rather convoluted 8-minute cab ride.
The price: The Fleming is one of Hong Kong’s best-priced design hotels, with rooms currently available for $152 per night this month on the hotel’s website.
The details: The Fleming, 41 Fleming Rd, Wan Chai. Telephone: +852 3607 2288. Website: https://thefleming.com/en
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
The vibe: Opened in 1989, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong is showing its age a little in comparison to the raft of luxury hotels that have sprung up in the city in recent years, but the venerable establishment is still a favorite of the conference and business crowd. Don’t expect plush luxury or avant-garde design here, but the Grand Hyatt does the basics well and boasts several restaurants and meeting areas and also one of Hong Kong’s best rooftop pools.
The location: It doesn’t get much better than the Grand Hyatt for Filmart attendees, as the hotel is part of the same complex as the HKCEC and is at best a few minutes walk for most guests.
The price: As well as its excellent location, the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong is also reasonably priced, with rooms starting from $260 per night in March.
The details: Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Telephone: +852 2588 1234. Website: https://www.hyatt.com/grand-hyatt/en-US/hkggh-grand-hyatt-hong-kong
The Upper House
The vibe: A world-renowned boutique hotel, The Upper House celebrated its 15th anniversary last year by scoring fifth place in The World’s Best Hotels list. With interiors and exteriors designed by the likes of Thomas Heatherwick and Andre Fu, The Upper House scores high for aesthetics and has long been a magnet for celebrities and the fashion, entertainment and arts crowd passing through Hong Kong.
As with all the city’s best hotels, the views from the rooms are stunning, but what sets The Upper House apart is the incredible service. For non-guests, the hotel is well worth a visit for the Mediterranean dining concept Salisterra on the 49th floor, which replaced the much-loved Café Grey Deluxe in 2021.
The location: The Upper House is part of the expansive Pacific Place complex in the Admiralty area of Hong Kong, where a number of hotels are clustered including the J.W. Marriott, Conrad Hotel and Shangri-La. The hotel is about a 10-minute cab ride to the HKCEC, or a brisk 25-minute walk.
The price: The service, the location and the top-notch design all come at a hefty price, with rooms starting at $670 per night this month.
The details: The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty. Telephone: +852 3968 1000. Website: https://www.thehousecollective.com/en/the-upper-house/
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