Hong Kong's The Upper House: Overrated or Worth the Hype?

The Upper House, designed by renowned architect Andre Fu, is the most expensive property in the House Collective series. I recently stayed in their 80-square-meter deluxe room, which is undoubtedly the hotel's biggest selling point. In Hong Kong, where space is a luxury, Andre Fu has created a cozy, home-like atmosphere in this spacious room, making it a perfect place to spend an entire day. The large windows offer stunning views of both the sea and the mountains. With some soft music playing, you can do yoga, meditate, and completely unwind. Half of the room's area is dedicated to the bathroom and spa zone, where you can soak in the bathtub while gazing at office workers in nearby buildings, as well as the scenic sea and mountain views—it's simply delightful! However, the transparent glass windows mean you need to be mindful of privacy. Another highlight is the atrium design spanning the 38th to 49th floors. Andre Fu maximized the visual impact within the limited space, with marble light fixtures and a domed ceiling at the entrance creating a grand sense of ceremony. The wall decorations further enhance the aesthetic, showcasing the designer's expertise. However, there are quite a few drawbacks. First, the public areas of the hotel are extremely small, resembling the nanny rooms at the neighboring JW Marriott. The reception desk is just a tiny round table, barely accommodating two or three people. The long elevator ride leads to an outdoor garden that feels somewhat underwhelming. There's no swimming pool, and the gym is disappointingly small, leaving the rooftop restaurant and yoga room as the only redeeming features. These facilities would barely qualify as C4-level in mainland China. The breakfast is unimpressive, with small portions and no eggs included in the set menu. Adding extra dishes costs more, though the grilled salmon is decent. The service is also average, at a C5 level, which is typical for Hong Kong. Additionally, the checkout time is 12 PM, and it took considerable effort to extend it to 12:30 PM, which felt inconvenient. Overall, among Hong Kong's four C7-rated hotels, The Upper House offers the least value for money. I would rate it closer to a C6. Next time I visit Hong Kong, I'd rather choose the Rosewood.