Winners of the 2025 Tatler Best-in-Class Hotel awards in Hong Kong

Who doesn’t love a triumphant comeback? After its stint as the InterContinental Hong Kong from 2001 until 2020—and an extensive two-year renovation—Tsim Sha Tsui’s most recognisable harbourfront property reopened in November 2023 under its original ownership as The Regent Hong Kong.

The hotel's redesign was led by renowned architect and designer, Chi Wing Lo, who understood the assignment: this is more than just a hotel rebrand, it's the return of an icon. Lo masterfully blended modern design sensibilities with touches of nostalgia, from displaying artworks recovered from the original hotel to restoring elements that made this property a go-to for many Hongkongers' special occasions.

In the harbour view rooms and suites, every effort is made to maximise The Regent Hong Kong's panoramic vistas: floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows frame a postcard-perfect snapshot, with daybeds that span the length of the windows.

The Presidential Suite, a rooftop penthouse featuring 7,000 square feet, is celebrated globally as one of the world’s most spectacular hotel suites. It boasts two-story, floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping city views, and a private terrace with an infinity pool. 

The Regent Hong Kong is also home to Nobu Hong Kong, and has restored The Steak House, a beloved institution and the first steakhouse in Hong Kong to feature a charcoal grill. 

For over six decades, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong has defined luxury in the city. 

Situated in a prime location on Gloucester Road, in Hong Kong’s Central district which is home to celebrated restaurants, bars and shopping, it places guests in the beating heart of one of the most exciting and dynamic cities in Asia. 

Guest rooms at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong feature floor-to-ceiling windows that boast stellar views of the harbour and surrounding skyscrapers, bringing the lights and energy of Central, inside. They feature stately decor, with nods to Hong Kong history by way of stunning antiques and Chinese-inspired design elements. 

Its restaurants hold a special place in many Hongkongers’ hearts—from the elegant Mandarin Grill to Captain’s Bar, an institution still frequented by many for a pint and a curry. New but equally notable is The Aubrey, which has more or less spearheaded the revival of hotel bars in Hong Kong. Here, you’ll find Hong Kong’s well-heeled crowd sipping cocktails into the early hours of the morning. 

To recharge, the Mandarin Spa focuses on tailor-made treatments inspired by Chinese medicine. Gents should not miss the famous Mandarin Barber, which offers traditional shaving and hair services together with restorative grooming treatments.

“The Shang” has played a special role in Hongkongers’ memories since 1991: family yum cha at Summer Palace, celebrating birthdays with the legendary Frou Frou cake from Island Gourmet, or a Sunday roast— accompanied by one of the best martinis in town—at Lobster Bar and Grill. 

Its suites are fine examples of tastefully executed maximalism, featuring elegant, chinoiserie-inspired aesthetics. Upon entering, blinds automatically lift to reveal either green mountain vistas or panoramic harbour views. 

In 2024, Island Shangri-La unveiled its “Family Floor”—a first of its kind, 21 rooms and suites follow unique themes, including Safari Adventure, Enchanted Castle and Underwater Treasure. The best part? There’s a stylish room for parents who still want a sophisticated getaway. 

Its spa, Yun Wellness, evokes glamorous Riviera living—think striped parasols by the pool and an abundance of tropical flora. It offers a spectrum of offerings that range from treatments rooted in longevity, a focus on pre- and post-natal wellbeing (calling all babymooners) to more esoteric practices such as energetic healing and chakra balancing massages.  It’s also the first and only hotel in Hong Kong with a far infrared sauna. 

Arriving at The Upper House feels like coming home. And it’s not just the earthy, elegant interiors or the absence of a “close door” button in the elevator—a rare but welcome reminder in Hong Kong that it’s OK to slow down. What makes The Upper House feel like home is its service, which is refreshingly informal—perfectly hitting the sweet spot between attentive and unobtrusive. It’s also deeply personal. Here, an off-hand comment about loving the house-made chocolates could mean a plate of them awaits you in your suite. Casual praise for the hotel’s signature ginger verbena scent could mean a candle has been arranged for you to take home.

Designed by Hong Kong-based architect André Fu, The Upper House is calming and contemporary. Its spacious suites are a masterclass in timeless design, featuring details crafted from wood and stone, softened by luxurious textiles. The bathrooms are arguably the sexiest in Hong Kong—every room features a deep soaking tub, positioned by floor-to-ceiling windows to soak in panoramic mountain or city views.

Fu’s clever use of light and shadows creates an aliveness in the rooms, as lit-up skyscrapers bounce off of the angled windows to bring the electric pulse of the city outside, in. Particularly at night, it’s a cinematic experience worthy of Wong Kar-Wai films.

Since opening in 1928, The Peninsula Hong Kong—affectionately nicknamed the “Grande Dame of the Far East” —has been a stalwart of elegance and five-star service in the city, and a symbol of excellence on the global hospitality stage. 

The hotel has become part of the fabric of Hong Kong—from the fleet of “Peninsula Green” Rolls-Royces parked in the driveway to its gilded lobby, to the iconic original hotel façade that looks towards Victoria Harbour. 

“The Pen” houses 300 guest rooms and suites, including the spectacular Peninsula Suite with an impressive double-height living room, floor-to-ceiling windows and a private terrace. The hotel invites guests to fall in love with Hong Kong through its exclusive experiences, including a flight over the city on The Peninsula Helicopter, or the Afternoon Tea Voyage, where champagne, tea and treats are served on board an original Star Ferry vessel refurbished by The Peninsula.

Dining options range from the city’s most coveted afternoon tea in The Lobby to sky-high dinner and drinks at Felix, French fare at Gaddi’s and Cantonese fine dining at Spring Moon. The Peninsula Bar, one of the oldest bars in Hong Kong, has served drinks to the likes of James Bond star Roger Moore, actor Clark Gable and crooner Frank Sinatra, whose order was a gin and tonic.

Despite being in the heart of the city, Four Seasons Hong Kong is a peaceful oasis positioned within walking distance of some of Hong Kong’s best dining and shopping destinations. But we’re here to talk about an actual oasis—the 22,000 sq ft Four Seasons Spa. 

Here you’ll find  gorgeous treatment rooms featuring oversized marble tubs and your choice of harbour or garden views. The treatment menu is concise, but expertly executed, with a focus on Eastern modalities such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. Make time for the Vitality Lounge, a playground with a crystal steam room, rhassoul chamber and ice fountains for the ladies, and a flotation tank and Finnish sauna for men. 

A stay at the Four Seasons is incomplete without a visit to the famed infinity pool, which creates the illusion of flowing into Victoria Harbour. The hotel has a whopping eight—yes, eight—Michelin stars, including three-Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant Lung King Heen and French fine-dining restaurant Caprice.

Guest rooms feature stunning views of either Victoria Harbour or The Peak; the 3,430 sq ft Presidential Suite boasts 180-degree views and is equipped with its own dedicated wellness room including state-of-the-art gym equipment. 

Located in—and taking its name from—one of Hong Kong’s coolest neighbourhoods, Little Tai Hang places its guests in a quiet, creative pocket filled with trendy cafes, independently owned restaurants and bars, galleries and boutiques. It’s an area most visitors to Hong Kong would miss unless advised by a local, so if you’re looking for an authentic experience off the beaten path, this is where you’ll find it. 

But it’s not so far removed that you’ll miss quintessential Hong Kong experiences either, as it’s just a short, leisurely walk from Victoria Park and the bustling centre of Causeway Bay. 

Little Tai Hang has spacious rooms bathed in natural light, boasting panoramic views of the harbour and Victoria Park on one side, and the architecturally distinctive Lai Tak Tsuen public housing estate (prominently featured in 2017’s Ghost in the Shell) on the landward side—all thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and a lack of neighbouring buildings.

The interior design is cosy, taking cues from the charm of mid-Century British decor—think comfy quilted arm chairs and quirky objets d’art.