The extraordinary suite at Hong Kong's W Hotel with a sea view in 2008 takes me back to the economic upswing period…

Seaview Hotel In 2008, the Hong Kong W became W's first foothold in Greater China, located in West Kowloon. In an era when five-star hotels were still rather "formal and stiff," W debuted with the aura of an "international trendy landmark"—compared to traditional business hotels, it was avant-garde, youthful, and bold, bridging innovation between luxury and trendiness, giving China its first truly trendy brand hotel! The hotel is situated atop the The Cullinan building at Kowloon Station, with an exterior resembling a "giant glass box." Stepping into the elevator feels like entering a neon dance floor; the lobby is designed around the concept of a forest firefly, while the rooms incorporate the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The bathtub is right next to the floor-to-ceiling window, allowing you to soak while enjoying the full view of Victoria Harbour—a visually stunning experience! Created by Australian design firm g+a in collaboration with Japan’s Glamorous, it perfectly blends avant-garde design with Eastern charm. More than a decade ago, during Hong Kong’s economic boom, W’s rooftop infinity pool (Wet) was a lively pool party spot by day and transformed into a DJ bar by night, paired with the Victoria Harbour night view, almost always packed on weekend evenings! It was also a popular shooting location for fashion magazines like Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue, with many Korean and Hong Kong-Taiwanese stars such as Lee Hyori, Jolin Tsai, and Joey Yung choosing to stay here when visiting Hong Kong. I stayed on my birthday. Originally, I booked the St. Regis, but due to a restaurant concert and a Coldplay concert that night, my suite voucher was rejected with no upgrade, and even booking a Michelin restaurant was fraught with difficulties. After unsuccessful communication, I canceled in frustration. I had never considered this "old" W before, but because of the price just over 2k and suites available, I reluctantly booked. After sending an email, I received a reply and a phone call within an hour. The staff warmly promised that even if the suite voucher couldn’t be used, they would arrange the best room! The next day, I was unexpectedly upgraded to the Blue Extraordinary Suite worth 8k, which moved me to tears 😭 W’s service once again shattered the biases found online! The hotel’s public areas and rooms have actually been renovated. Although the design carries a sense of the era, it still exudes advanced vitality, and the hygiene is excellent. Soaking in the bathtub with a prime Victoria Harbour view is extremely relaxing, and the living room even has a stationary bike; it was my first time staying in such a spacious room in Hong Kong. Not only did I receive champagne and a plush toy, but also a dessert CD engraved with my photo taken in LA—full of thoughtful details! The breakfast was rich and varied, and the rooftop pool was breathtaking. When checking out, the staff personally escorted me to Kowloon Station to check in my luggage. Their warm service was a delightful surprise—Is this really Hong Kong? It completely overturned my impression! Comparing it to the Beijing Opposite House, which opened in 2008 but has now closed, I can’t help but feel the huge changes over time… Life Travel Hotel #WHotel Check-in