Back to Summary Page New Luxury: The Upper House in Hong Kong
Nov 3, 2010 New Luxury: The Upper House in Hong Kong
Photo from The Upper House websiteMost of the time I am writing about bringing the hotel experience home. Ironically, many hotels are trying to make their hotels more like homes. Last year, after an exhausting two-week work trip in Asia, I took a breather and checked into a newly opened hotel in Hong Kong called the Upper House. I scored a once-only deal that they were offering to announce the grand opening. So while I normally would have checked into one of their regular rooms, which is still large at 730 sq ft., I was able to take advantage of the half-off price and check into one of the suites for the weekend. At a whopping 1230 sq ft with multiple rooms, I really did feel like I was checking into someone’s home.

Gorgeously
minimalistic, designer
Andre Fu set out to
‘redefine the concept
of new-luxury by
creating a haven of
calm and quiet space.’
Spacious rooms in a
city that is spatially
challenged is the first
sign of luxury. This is
the foyer of my suite
giving a glimpse of the
living area.
Photo by Kim Salmela
Fu used two color palettes for the rooms-grey and lavender and
celadon and bisque…both very modern yet calming color schemes.
Photo from The Upper House website
My room as it looked in the evening. Not shown to the left is a 12
ft. sectional next to an expanse of windows 40+ stories high up in
the air. The TV can disappear behind a sliding wall.
Photo by Kim Salmela
This is the bedroom after my first restful night of sleep. The bed floats
creating a sense of sleeping in a theater seat, with the entire city and
harbor being the show.
Photo by Kim Salmela
The Upper House is a
perfect example of how
hotels are utilizing
technology to elevate their
guest’s experiences and
comfort. Checking in is
swift and paperless and
done in the room. Each
room is outfitted with an
iPod touch on which all
concierge and room
services are ordered.
Photo by Kim Salmela
When it comes to hotels the
true epitome of new-luxury is
a spacious bathroom. The
bathrooms here are not only
big, but are genuinely the
nicest bathrooms I have ever
been in…anywhere. The 336
sq ft bathrooms (400 sq ft in
the suites) feature limestone
and natural woods, with a
special emphasis on lighting. I
swear they had a different light
setting for any possible mood
or scenario. There was
backlighting, low lighting,
highlighting, and everything in
between.
Photo by Kim Salmela
One step up from the sink and
vanity area was the second
room of the bathroom. This
area featured an open air rain
shower and floating bath tub
where I could soak and get an
almost 180 degree view of the
city, or watch a movie hidden
behind a mirror on the wall. I
had a seriously difficult time
deciding between spending my
evening in the bathroom or
going out for dinner!
Photo by Kim Salmela
And not
forgetting the
third room in
the bathroom,
the private
‘stall’ could
have functioned
as an office.
Photo by Kim SalmelaThe bathtub lit at night.
Photo by Kim Salmela

And finally, more shots of the bathroom (because I just couldn’t get enough.)
Photos by Kim Salmela

Another little luxury in the room…the living room featured a ‘maxi bar’ with espresso machine, wet bar, and complimentary treats and snacks.
Photos by Kim Salmela
Modern sculptures
of ceramic,
sandstone, marble
and bronze are
scattered
throughout the
hotel…from the
foyer to the
hallways to the
rooms themselves.
This backlit
sculpture was in the
corner of my
bathroom.
Photo by Kim Salmela
The restaurant
provided more
stimuli, both
culinary and
visually.
Hanging above
the reception
desk are long
hanging
pendants
simply made
out of bamboo
stalks.
Photo by Kim Salmela

Me enjoying a little late afternoon tea in the restaurant.
Photos by Peter Hill
A morning
view from
my
bathroom.
The
weather
was a little
overcast…
perfect
weather
for….
Photo by Kim Salmela
What
everyone
does in Hong
Kong…
Shopping!
Photo by Peter Hill 39 Comments: