Inside the spectacular property just named the world’s best hotel
After many years travelling to Europe via the United Arab Emirates, I rerouted my flights through Asia this year to avoid travel disruptions. While it meant missing out on my annual cool Aunty time with my nieces in Dubai, the upside to this stopover shake-up is checking into Rosewood Hong Kong.
The global flagship property of the ultra-luxury Hong Kong-based brand just took the No.1 spot at the World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 awards for the second consecutive year. Having stayed at hundreds of luxury properties throughout my career, I’m curious to see what all the fuss is about.
Rosewood Hong Kong was just named the World Best Hotel in the coveted World’s 50 Best list.The ultimate Hong Kong perch.The decadent lobster, caviar and gold leaf dumpling I’m clutching between my chopsticks might have something to do with it.
Among the 11 restaurants and bars at this 413-room retreat overlooking Victoria Harbour is Michelin-starred Cantonese and dim sum restaurant The Legacy House, and Michelin-starred Indian venue Chaat. In the current ultra-luxury market, it has become almost imperative for a hotel to have at least one restaurant boasting such accolades, but it’s not the only reason this hotel rates so highly.
Upscale dim sum at The Legacy House, Rosewood.The Legacy House dining room.I’m staying in room 3207, which is a 123-square-metre Club Grand Harbour View Room with a statement tartan felt wall and a picture-window framing the junk boats on the harbour. The room comes with access to the exclusive Manor Club on level 40, which has its own private kitchen and chef, and complimentary breakfast, lunch, rotating snacks and happy hour.
The previous day, I’m delivered to the hotel in a Range Rover with tan interiors that’s stocked with bottles of naturally alkaline Icelandic Glacial Water. It’s quite the first impression, but a great hotel knows to keep the surprises coming.
And come, they do. On arrival, I remark on the beautiful florist in the lobby, but am gently corrected: the glass-encased space consumed with blooms from floor to ceiling is, in fact, a “flower room”, for display purposes only.
A dedicated “flower room” for floral displays.Even scents have their own dedicated space here. The hotel has recently partnered with Parisian brand Guerlain, and a gilded room featuring an exhaustive collection of perfumes resides within the Asaya Spa by Guerlain.
When I’m escorted to the treatment room for my Guerlain facial, I pass through the spa’s lush resort-style outdoor garden and terrace, which feel like something you would find in Bali rather than this buzzy city.
Asaya Spa’s hydrotherapy pool.AdvertisementCocktail bar DarkSide enjoys a bustling trade of expats and locals.What’s immediately obvious is that it’s not just travellers that love this hotel. Many luxury hotel bars and restaurants can feel stale, starved of atmosphere. The true testament to this property’s success is that its venues exist as standalone local haunts.
Young couples and groups of women crowd the tables over tapas at Spanish spot Bayfare Social. Later that night, in jazz bar DarkSide, I’m served champagne and complimentary chocolate as the resident band plays hits by Whitney Houston and Olivia Dean. The venue is heaving with expats and locals, with a queue stretching out the door. The band doesn’t miss a beat, and neither does this hotel.
FLYCathay Pacific flies direct from Sydney to Hong Kong. See cathaypacific.com
STAYRosewood Hong Kong has Kowloon Peak View King Rooms from $1426 a night. See rosewoodhotels.com
The writer stayed with assistance of Rosewood Hong Kong and Seabourn Cruises.
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