Review - Langham Place, Mongkok, Hong Kong

Visiting Hong Kong frequently every year, the Metropolitant team is always looking for value for money hotels. Value for money doesn’t just mean cheap, but being worth it for every dollar spent.

In this particular trip to Hong Kong, the team experienced luxury right in the heart of real Hong Kong. To experience the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong, Langham Place Hotel above Mongkok MTR in Kowloon is just the place to be.

No one goes to Hong Kong for its pristine and quiet beaches. Mongkok is known for its vibrant and noisy neighborhood, perfect to experience the Hong Kong lifestyle. You’ll want to experience the cosmopolitan, gritty, material and all sorts, all at once. The exciting street life that makes Hong Kong so unique is right at the doorstep of the hotel. The hotel is linked to Langham Place Mall so if you’re lazy to brave the crowds, you’ll be spoilt for choice for shopping and food within the mall itself. The famous street markets such as Ladies’ market, Temple Street Market and Jade Market are all within walking distance as well.

Sky-scraping the skyline, you’ll be treated to a panoramic view from almost every window from the guestrooms. For Internet addicts like us, the hotel has WiFi throughout its premises and IT support when and where you need it to ensure connectivity. The luxurious and comfortable rooms are modern and super comfortable with all the necessaries to give ensure that restful sleep after a long day of exploration, shopping and non-stop eating. There is also a range of rooms to suit your guest capacity requirements. You’ll expect no less for the price you pay.

It goes without saying that such a plush hotel would also feature a range of restaurants serving an international spread in casual and formal settings. A new feature is the Alibi restaurant, bar and lounge which offers shared plates, fine wines and reinvented classic cocktails. Crafted by Kiwi Chef de Cuisine, Tim Bruges, Alibiís all day menu includes seasonal amuse bouche, small and large plates, iced seafood on hammer-finished stainless steel wells, charcuterie, cheeses, and a selection of desserts for sharing, with each dish using homegrown, homemade and imported ingredients from Asia, Italy and Spain. There’s also a Michelin Star Cantonese restaurant, Ming Court for those who wish to taste the finest.

To keep fit, the 24-hour fitness studio offers a wide range of modern equipment with panoramic views of Kowloon and Hong Kong to make sure you know you are in the Hong Kong-est part of Hong Kong. You can of course take in one of the most exhilarating views of Hong Kong at the 20-meter heated swimming pool on the roof or sit back and relax in the adjacent Jacuzzi. You can even take a Tai Chi Class by the pool.

After slaving away at the gym or lazing by the pool, you may wish to proceed to Chuan Spa to rejuvenate with massages, body wraps, facials and therapies. The spa uses techniques within Traditional Chinese Medicine that promotes harmony by balancing the five elements of metal, wood, fire, earth and water.

While we were there, we also caught some unique art pieces displayed in the public areas of the hotel. We were impressed to find out that the Langham Place hotel has become the first hotel in the world to offer their guests iPod tours of their contemporary Chinese art, which is one of the worldís most impressive collections. The hotel owns more than 1,500 pieces of contemporary Chinese art estimated to hold a readily increasing value of more than HK$20 million. The collection includes pieces by numerous legendary Chinese artists including Wang Guangyi, Yue Minjun and Jiang Shuo. The iPod art tour takes guests from the ground level to the 41st floor highlighting the hotelís top 21 pieces via the iPod. Angela Li, Langham Placeís art consultant guides the guest explaining the philosophy and history of the art and artist and the key contributors guiding the artist.