The competitive hotel market continues to grow with the recent debut of a new hotel on Hong Kong island.
Seated on a waterfront promenade, Hotel VIC on the Harbour offers 671 guestrooms and suites to let travellers experience the panoramic views of Victoria Harbour with smart, contemporary tech-enabled city living. This twin-tower complex is located in North Point, a vibrant neighbourhood brimming with undiscovered fashion, food and culture, and just steps away from an MTR station, ferry pier and other public transport.
Hotel VIC has been built to exacting standards with renowned awardwinners Rocco Design Architects Ltd as project architect and Hirsh Bedner Associates as guestroom interior designer. AFSO was designer of other key areas. The luxury establishment is the latest addition to a portfolio of premium hotel properties under Sun Hung Kai Properties.
Location advantage
The hotel’s unique waterfront location provides it with a competitive edge, promising strong occupancies and premium rates, in the crowded marketplace. Harnessing this advantage fully, it features a series of spaces blending indoor and alfresco living. The outdoor infinity pool merges seamlessly with the horizon, while Cruise, the rooftop restaurant and bar, provides a place for guests to unwind, overlooking the harbour. An atmospheric alfresco terrace and garden area are found at The Farmhouse, an all-day restaurant and deli, with a dramatic cityscape.
Similarly, every guestroom in Hotel VIC enjoys an elegant harbour view designed in a contemporary style for a refined ambience.
Created by AFSO with an “urban reflections” theme, the arrival lobby is decked out with textured glass fittings that refract light like shimmering water and interlocking marble screens. A number of contemporary artworks are strategically displayed across the hotel. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by a sculpture from Mexican artist Aldo Chaparro hovering above water, to reinforce the theme of urban reflections. Another example is Canadian artist David Sprigg’s modern 3D installation “Epoch” which greets the patrons of Cruise at the entrance.
Staying ahead of the curve
Drawing on technology for brand differentiation, Hotel VIC is equipped with four self check-in kiosks for tech-savvy travellers who favour convenience and speed over human contact. They only need to scan the confirmation QR code to have their reservations processed and room key cards dispensed immediately.
A customised smartphone app puts a variety of services at their fingertips, from in-room dining to restaurant reservations, multimedia entertainment as well as online check-in and check-out.
At the main lobby area is a massive touch screen offering directions to places of interest. This is part of the hotel’s “VIC Loves” programme, which shows guests the hidden gems in the neighbourhood such as an old Shanghainese barbershop and gourmet havens.