In November 2023, I checked into the King Bed Harbour View Deluxe at Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong. Set within the charming North Point district on the eastern side of Hong Kong Island with hole-in-the-wall restaurants and street markets, the 665-room pet-friendly hotel is connected to Harbour North shopping complex and is steps away from North Point Station and Java Street Cooked Food Centre. You can access both Central Station and Tsim Sha Tsui within thirty minutes by subway, while Hong Kong International Airport is less than an hour away via Airport Express.
Other Hyatt properties in Hong Kong include Grand Hyatt Hong Kong and Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui. This is the second Hyatt Centric hotel in Asia after Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo’s opening in 2018.
The UTW (“Under Ten Words”): Waterfront sanctuary with harbour view rooms in North Point district.
The must-dos (if any): Have breakfast at The Farmhouse, enjoy evening cocktails and bites at Cruise Restaurant & Bar, take a dip in the rooftop pool, soak in the bathtub/recline on the daybed while taking in harbour views.
HYATT CENTRIC VICTORIA HARBOUR HONG KONG
Originally Hotel VIC on the Harbour and spread across East and West towers which are connected by a glass-roofed passageway, the property was rebranded as a Hyatt Centric hotel in 2020. The hotel’s social and F&B spaces were designed by Hong Kong-based architect and interior designer Andre Fu (The St. Regis Hong Kong, Andaz Singapore, Capella Singapore) while the guestrooms feature designs from Hirsch Bedner Associates (Capella Bangkok, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, Fairmont Singapore).
The hotel shares a building with “Phase 1” of the Harbour North shopping complex which occupies the lower levels, while “Phase 2” and “Phase 3”, which offer substantially more shopping and dining options, are a short walk away. The glass-roofed connecting passageway between the two towers also serves as a working space as well as art exhibition gallery – during my visit, artworks depicting Hong Kong’s urban spaces by local artist Nathanael Kang were on display.
In terms of wellness, the hotel offers a 25m rooftop infinity pool with daybeds, jacuzzi jets and glorious panoramic views of the harbour. In addition, the changing rooms offer saunas and steam room facilities, and there is a fully-equipped gym with, among other things, harbour-facing treadmills “virtual reality flying machines” (sadly, I did not notice and manage to try the latter). The swimming pool is probably one of the few swimming pools I visited in recent memory which remains fairly (but, most importantly, not too) happening, even close to 10pm.
As part of the Hyatt Centric brand’s style of the hotels being well-steeped in the art, culture and history of their respective neighbourhoods, the hotel launched the Explorer Kit which comprises a beautifully-designed Illustrated Guide to key nearby attractions as well as vouchers to redeem iconic Hong Kong dishes from the area’s most notable shops such as Lee Keung Kee (egg waffle), Yik Sau Tong Herbal Tea and Tak Hing Loong Bean Curd Shop. Following the map and visiting the various shops was an adventure in itself, with some of the stalls being very, very legit.
The Victoria Harbour Lounge and Cruise Restaurant & Bar are located on the highest levels of the West Tower, while wellness facilities are located within the East Tower.
KING BED HARBOUR VIEW DELUXE
Offering intimate views of Victoria Harbour through large corner windows, the 31sqm King Bed Harbour View Deluxe is decked in cool shades of grey as well as marble and wood textures. A frosted glass panel behind the bedhead showcases an etched map of the North Point district, while the cups and bathroom amenity packaging features playful illustrations from local designers. Both the window-side bathtub as well as the bedside lounger allow guests to relax as they take in the glorious, peaceful views of the harbour.
In terms of amenities, the room is equipped with a UV-C Sterilization Air Purifier as well as Nespresso and Dilmah tea-making facilities. The white marble bathroom offers an enclosed rainfall shower and bathtub area, while a drawer underneath the vanity holds a plugged-in hairdryer.
DINING
Breakfast is served at The Farmhouse, the hotel’s international buffet venue on the lobby level with live stations and a dog-friendly outdoor patio. The buffet comprises bakes such as Sausage Bun, Green Tea Danish and Banana Cake; an Indian station with dishes such as Egg Bhurji, Palak Paneer and Naan Bread; a noodle station serving your choice with noodles paired with Cantonese Shrimp Wonton, Fung Shing Prawn Dumpling and Mix Vegetable Dumpling; a dim sum section as well as a carving station; and hot dishes such as Beef Brisket in Clear Broth, Egg Fried Rice, Stir-Fried Tomato Egg and Steak and Egg Sandwich. A few steps away, the Farmhouse Deli serves hot drinks, pastries and cakes.
Located on the rooftop of the West Tower with an outdoor terrace which offers breathtaking sunset views as well as electrified vibes after hours with live DJ music, Cruise Restaurant & Bar specialises in modern Asian cuisine which draws influences from many different cultures. During my visit, I tried their tasting menu which incorporates a selection of dishes from their a la carte menu, including Pomelo Salad (pan fried scallops, Thai basil, crispy dried shrimp), Cheeky Massaman (braised Sher Wagyu beef cheek), potato, shallot, roasted peanut, homemade roti) and Changs Pork Belly Ssam (grilled Iberico pork belly, little gem lettuce, perilla, mustard relish). My favourite was the Hiramasa Kingfish Sashimi (lime and herb dressing, pickled green chilli, sweet Thai basil), which tasted like it could have waltzed out of the nearest Nobu outlet.
The cocktail menu offers tipples inspired by the North Point neighbourhood, with highlights including North Point Negroni (Gin, Sweet Vermouth, Camparil Lapsang Souchong Tea, Not A Watermelon Soda) and Gai Daan Jai Old Fashion (Egg Waffle Bourbon, Cacao Bitters, Brown Sugar).
VICTORIA HARBOUR LOUNGE
While Hyatt Centric properties generally do not offer executive lounges (this was true for Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo), the Victoria Harbour Lounge is a unique legacy from the former Hotel VIC on the Harbour, and all the better for the hotel guests. The high-floor lounge offers many window-adjacent seats for coveted harbour views as well as booth seating or sofa seating depending on your requirements.
Dishes available during evening cocktails and canapes include Panini with Mortadella Tomato Pesto, Chicken Tsukune with Tare Sauce, Shrimp Ball, Wok Fried Black Pepper Beef and Rigattoni Alla Griccia. In terms of alcohol, the bubbly of choice is N.V. De Bortoli DB Family Selection Brut Cuvée from Australia and Botter Via Delle Camelie Prosecco Spumante, with other wines and spirits available such as Renmano Chairman’s Selection Chardonnay and Flor de Cana rum.
CONCLUSION
While the hotel’s location may not be closest to Hong Kong’s most popular destinations, the impressive harbour views, comfortable rooms and proximity to authentic Hong Kong dining experiences provide more than enough reasons for you to consider staying at this property.
Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong
1 North Point Estate Lane
North Point, Hong Kong SAR
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