A LUXURY GUIDE TO HONG KONG
The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong: Life Above the City
Story & Photography by Anastasia Bluhm
Where the City Meets the Sky
There are many luxury hotels in Hong Kong, but only one allows you to experience the city from quite this perspective. Occupying the highest floors of the International Commerce Centre, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong doesn't simply offer impressive views—it completely changes the way you see Hong Kong.
From the moment the elevator doors open, it feels as though you've stepped into a different world. Far below, ferries cross Victoria Harbour, neon lights begin to illuminate the skyline, and one of Asia's busiest cities suddenly feels remarkably peaceful when viewed from above.
There are many luxury hotels in Hong Kong, but only one allows you to experience the city from quite this perspective. Occupying the highest floors of the International Commerce Centre, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong doesn't simply offer impressive views—it completely changes the way you see Hong Kong.
From the moment the elevator doors open, it feels as though you've stepped into a different world. Far below, ferries cross Victoria Harbour, neon lights begin to illuminate the skyline, and one of Asia's busiest cities suddenly feels remarkably peaceful when viewed from above.
A Stay Designed Around Personal Details
One of the things I appreciate most about Ritz-Carlton is the way every stay feels personal. Before I even reached my room, the Ladies and Gentlemen already knew my name, and throughout my visit I was greeted with genuine warmth that never felt scripted.
Inside the room, I found beautifully prepared welcome amenities, a handwritten card, and a bottle of Ritz-Carlton Champagne waiting by the window overlooking Victoria Harbour. These thoughtful gestures immediately transformed the room from simply luxurious into something much more memorable.
One of the things I appreciate most about Ritz-Carlton is the way every stay feels personal. Before I even reached my room, the Ladies and Gentlemen already knew my name, and throughout my visit I was greeted with genuine warmth that never felt scripted.
Inside the room, I found beautifully prepared welcome amenities, a handwritten card, and a bottle of Ritz-Carlton Champagne waiting by the window overlooking Victoria Harbour. These thoughtful gestures immediately transformed the room from simply luxurious into something much more memorable.
The rooms themselves are timeless rather than trendy. Rich fabrics, marble bathrooms, elegant furnishings, and floor-to-ceiling windows ensure that wherever you look, Hong Kong becomes part of the interior design.
The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge
If there is one upgrade I would recommend without hesitation, it would be Club Lounge access.
Located on the 116th floor, the lounge quickly became my favorite place in the hotel. Throughout the day it transforms from a peaceful breakfast venue into an elegant afternoon tea destination before serving evening hors d'oeuvres and cocktails as the sun sets over Victoria Harbour. Rather than feeling like a buffet, every presentation feels thoughtfully curated and beautifully executed.
If there is one upgrade I would recommend without hesitation, it would be Club Lounge access.
Located on the 116th floor, the lounge quickly became my favorite place in the hotel. Throughout the day it transforms from a peaceful breakfast venue into an elegant afternoon tea destination before serving evening hors d'oeuvres and cocktails as the sun sets over Victoria Harbour. Rather than feeling like a buffet, every presentation feels thoughtfully curated and beautifully executed.
Beyond the exceptional food and panoramic views, Club Lounge guests enjoy a level of personalized service that makes the experience feel almost residential. The concierge team can assist with restaurant reservations, sightseeing recommendations, and transportation arrangements, while selected room categories also include luxury chauffeur service, making it remarkably easy to explore the city in comfort.
One of my favorite parts of the afternoon was simply slowing down for a while. Watching ferries glide across Victoria Harbour as tea was served created a rare sense of calm that is difficult to find in a city as energetic as Hong Kong. It felt less like a hotel lounge and more like a quiet retreat suspended high above the skyline—a place where time seemed to slow down before the city lit up again for the evening..
Wellness Above the Skyline
The Ritz-Carlton Spa continues the feeling of calm found throughout the hotel. Treatment rooms overlook Victoria Harbour through floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing the city's skyline to become part of the wellness experience. After a massage, the indoor pool—one of the highest in the world—offers yet another extraordinary perspective over Hong Kong.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa continues the feeling of calm found throughout the hotel. Treatment rooms overlook Victoria Harbour through floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing the city's skyline to become part of the wellness experience. After a massage, the indoor pool—one of the highest in the world—offers yet another extraordinary perspective over Hong Kong.
Experiencing Hong Kong
Although it can be tempting never to leave the hotel, Hong Kong deserves to be explored.
One of the city's classic experiences is riding the historic Peak Tram to Victoria Peak. As the tram climbs steeply through the hillside, the skyscrapers gradually reveal themselves below until the entire harbour stretches across the horizon. It remains one of the best viewpoints in Hong Kong and perfectly complements the perspective you enjoy from the hotel.
Although it can be tempting never to leave the hotel, Hong Kong deserves to be explored.
One of the city's classic experiences is riding the historic Peak Tram to Victoria Peak. As the tram climbs steeply through the hillside, the skyscrapers gradually reveal themselves below until the entire harbour stretches across the horizon. It remains one of the best viewpoints in Hong Kong and perfectly complements the perspective you enjoy from the hotel.
As evening approaches, I also recommend wandering through the vibrant streets of Central and the nearby neon-lit neighborhoods, where traditional restaurants, modern cocktail bars, luxury boutiques, and glowing signs create the unmistakable atmosphere that has made Hong Kong famous around the world.
OZONE: Cocktails Above the Clouds
No stay at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong feels complete without spending an evening at OZONE.
Perched on the 118th floor, it is one of the highest rooftop bars in the world, where the city unfolds beneath you in every direction. As the sun sets over Victoria Harbour and the skyline begins to sparkle, the atmosphere transforms into something truly unforgettable.
Whether you come for one of the signature cocktails or simply to admire the view, OZONE offers a perspective of Hong Kong that few places can match. Watching the city come alive from above, surrounded by music, soft lighting, and floor-to-ceiling windows, was easily one of the highlights of my stay. It perfectly captures the energy, elegance, and unmistakable skyline that make Hong Kong so iconic.
More Than a Luxury Hotel
What makes The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong memorable is not only its remarkable height or its beautifully designed rooms. It is the feeling that every detail has been considered, from the handwritten welcome note and the bottle of champagne waiting in the room to the impeccable Club Lounge service and unforgettable skyline views.
Hong Kong is one of the world's most energetic cities, yet this hotel somehow manages to create a sense of calm above it all. Whether you're enjoying breakfast overlooking Victoria Harbour, relaxing in the spa, sipping champagne in your suite, or ending the evening at OZONE, every experience reminds you that luxury is often about perspective.
The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong doesn't simply provide a place to stay—it offers one of the most extraordinary ways to experience the city itself.
What makes The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong memorable is not only its remarkable height or its beautifully designed rooms. It is the feeling that every detail has been considered, from the handwritten welcome note and the bottle of champagne waiting in the room to the impeccable Club Lounge service and unforgettable skyline views.
Hong Kong is one of the world's most energetic cities, yet this hotel somehow manages to create a sense of calm above it all. Whether you're enjoying breakfast overlooking Victoria Harbour, relaxing in the spa, sipping champagne in your suite, or ending the evening at OZONE, every experience reminds you that luxury is often about perspective.
The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong doesn't simply provide a place to stay—it offers one of the most extraordinary ways to experience the city itself.
Contacts:
Reservations
+852 2263 2263
+852 2263 2263
International Commerce Centre
1 Austin Road West
West Kowloon, Hong Kong
1 Austin Road West
West Kowloon, Hong Kong