Despite COVID continuing into the new year, hotels in Hong King have created some stay-worthy packages for those looking for some R&R away from home. In Admiralty, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong might be all business on weekdays, but it is family friendly at the weekend, filled with a diverse range of restaurants to try.
Last month, I tried the hotel’s Eatcation package (on until 31 March 2021), which comes with the following:
- A room priced at $2,180 per night, which includes a connecting room with a view for private, in-room dining
- The in-room dining has three options to choose from (valued at $1,388): Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant Man Ho (six courses), al-fresco Fish Bar by the pool (four courses) or modern grill Flint (four courses)
- Breakfast buffet for two at JW Café
To complete your experience, you can also add the following:
- A one-hour photoshoot ($1,500) with a professional photographer, to include 30 images and customised in-room decorations
- A bottle of Moët & Chandon champagne, bouquet of 33 roses and customised in-room decorations ($1,500)
- An additional connecting room with one or two double beds ($988, comes without dining credit)
The room
I have stayed at the JW Marriott in Hong Kong a few times, and the most memorable takeaways I had from the rooms were always the bed (soft but supportive, with the fluffiest quilt and pillows), the relaxing Aromatherapy Associates bath products and the plush bathrobes. Checking into a King Harbour View Room, the first thing I did was drop my bags and take a moment to admire the view. Being right on the water, a lot of natural light flooded into the room.
JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong completed major renovations in 2018 and 2019. Moving away from its older shades of red and mustard, the rooms are now tastefully decorated in a neutral colour scheme, showcasing the hotel’s statement blue chaise longue. The bathroom may be simple in design, but the lighting is fantastic.
Within minutes of arriving, I was also greeted with a beautifully light and floral welcome tea to help me to settle in and relax. Such a nice touch!
Private in-room dining: Fish Bar
Due to COVID restrictions at the time of my stay, all dine-in at bars, cafés and restaurants had to stop at 6pm. The hotel put in a lot of effort to make dinner possible with its in-room dining. By clearing the connecting room, a private space was created, complete with harbour views. During normal times, I would have headed down to the pool to eat at Fish Bar (the pool is not to be underestimated at JW – it’s gorgoeus and one of the only pools in Hong Kong that catches the sunlight rather than being shaded by buildings), but instead we were served a luxurious in-room seafood menu.
I’ve never been disappointed by the food at Fish Bar. The menu is value for money, with the kitchen’s cooking techniques highlighting the natural flavours of the fresh catches. The prawns and smoked salmon were particularly generous in portion. Other highlights included the pot of mussels in garlic and white wine sauce, which was simple and savoury without overpowering the mussels. The flaky grilled barramundi came with smooth, creamy mashed potato and huge sides of vegetables. This dish was perfect for sharing.
Buffet breakfast at JW Café
My last meal was breakfast downstairs at bustling JW Café. I must have come at peak time because almost all the tables were full, with people going for seconds or even thirds. The staff were on top of clearing the tables while helping and maneuvering guests around at the same time.
The breakfast covers the basics and contains a statement, four-sided buffet station – a side lined with dim sum, one offering classic Chinese rice dishes and congee, Western breakfast options covering the likes of hash browns, bacon, sausages and roasted tomatoes and a compact omelette station.
Surrounding the space, JW Café comes complete with a counter of cold cuts, a customised noodle bar and a section for pastries, which kept rolling out of the kitchen to be refilled. For those who are more health conscious, there’s a juice bar with a tonne of freshly cut fruit and a salad bar.
Verdict
I’ve always viewed JW Marriott as a good hotel for business trips, but this staycation has made me realise that it’s a relaxing and modern choice for a staycation too. Guests are welcomed into a lobby filled with energy and a lot of natural light. The management and staff are super attentive and prompt in immediately answering to guests’ needs. With a nice selection of restaurants, there are a lot of great places to try within the hotel. I recommend opting for one or more of the add-on services for the ultimate staycation experience.
Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2810 8366, book online
This write-up is based on a complimentary media staycation provided in exchange for an honest review and no monetary compensation. The opinions expressed here represent the author’s.
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