The grand dame of Causeway Bay, The Park Lane Hong Kong, A Pullman Hotel, was once a classic—until it was signed into the fold of AccorHotels last year. Now being rejuvenated in phases to a more contemporary image, it’s gunning to appeal towards millennial travelers. And with the recent completion of its new welcome area and rooms, I was eager to be there. Read more…
The Park Lane Hong Kong, A Pullman Hotel is located in my favorite area in Hong Kong Island, Causeway Bay. I liken the place to Shibuya, Tokyo, since it’s constantly abuzz with locals and tourists for its eclectic mix of malls, shops, restaurants, cafes, and everything in between. Facing the hotel, meanwhile, is Victoria Park, which serves as the green lungs of the highly urban area.
As the hotel sits prominently in one of most recognized places in all of Hong Kong, accessibility is never a problem. The MTR station is a two-minute walk, while buses, taxis, and Uber cars ply the area nonstop. The complimentary shuttle buses of the Airport Express to and from Hong Kong station stop right at the hotel as well.
A year ago, The Park Lane Hong Kong was signed into the upscale Pullman brand. The 600th property of the well-regarded AccorHotels Group in Asia-Pacific, it joins Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, and ibis in the same portfolio, and as such, Le Club members now enjoy benefits at the hotel.
The hotel’s rebranding commenced a massive makeover, done in stages, so it could position itself towards millennial travelers. Just completed in October were the driveway and lobby, which were designed by William Lim of CL3 Architects—the same atelier behind such ambitious projects as Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and the Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel in Tokyo.
The result is one of the best hotel lobbies I’ve ever set foot into. Part-industrial, part-futuristic, the sleek welcome area appeals to every millennial traveler’s sensibilities. And making the atmosphere feel even more high-tech is the large-scale digital installation called Dissection by Grain&Pixel, which showcases several moving images and art.
After a swift check-in, I was escorted into my Premium Deluxe Room, which is part of the 220 rooms that have been renovated so far. The primary selling points of the room are the spacious 34 square meter area—generous by Hong Kong standards—and the view of the park and harbor.
Laid out carefully, the breezy and modern room boasts of features expected of a five-star hotel, starting with the cozy, luxurious queen bed that is hollow underneath for more luggage space. It’s complemented by a work desk with lamp, an LED TV, a minibar with coffee and tea making facility, and ample closet space. Equipped with a cute tub, the spotless bathroom, meanwhile, came with a complete set of towels and fragrant amenities by C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries.
For again, the hotel is determined to cater towards millennial travelers, they went great lengths to adapt to the digital shift. Several universal power points and USB charging ports were installed by the bedside and near the desk, and the room comes equipped with a centralized entertainment and connectivity center with a Bluetooth speaker feature and a Netflix-like free movie menu. Of course, blazing fast wired and wireless internet is complimentary.
Breakfast is served at Café One, which is set to be reinvented as a new dining concept by next year. It serves an extensive array of Western, Asian, and Chinese fare.
But right now, everyone’s fawning over the new Ebb & Flow, the hotel’s lobby lounge that’s on its way to be “a contemporary buzzing hotspot in the heart of Causeway Bay.” Sexy yet sophisticated, the lounge features prints by Austrian photographer Paul Kolp.
Also set to be given new life in the coming months, aside from the rest of the rooms, are the hotel’s facilities like the executive lounge, fitness center, function rooms, and ballroom. However, the beautiful rooftop and its dining destination, Riva and the Deck, have already been completed.
Exciting times are ahead for The Park Lane Hong Kong, A Pullman Hotel, and I am eager to see it complete its metamorphosis. It shows tremendous promise, based on what I’d already experienced—the lobby, the room, and the rooftop exude a character that is immensely appealing. From a classic to one of the most stylish in Hong Kong, this hotel’s repositioned itself among the best.
THE PARK LANE HONG KONG, A PULLMAN HOTEL
310 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Telephone: +852 2293 8888
Email: info@parklane.com.hk
Website: www.parklane.com.hk
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