Upper House Hong Kong: A Travel Advisor's Guide to Staying Above Admiralty

Some hotels impress you the moment you walk in. Upper House does it more quietly, and it starts before you even arrive.

When I stayed with a friend (it was still called The Upper House back then), the experience began three days out with a welcome email from the guest experience team. They wanted to know everything: whether we needed an airport transfer, what our interests and hobbies were, what we had planned in Hong Kong and whether there was anything else they could help with. On arrival we were taken straight up to our room for a paperless check-in and a tour of the suite. No queue at a front desk, no shuffling of passports at a counter. It set the tone for the whole stay.

The hotel has since dropped "The" from its name and is now known as Upper House Hong Kong, the flagship of Swire Hotels' growing Upper House brand. The philosophy I loved, understated design and warm, personal service, is still very much the point.

Where Upper House is and why the location works

Upper House sits at the top of a tower at Pacific Place, 88 Queensway in Admiralty, sharing the building with the JW Marriott. The hotel occupies the upper floors, roughly the 38th to the 49th, so every room looks out over the city, the harbour or the mountains.

The location is hard to fault. Within a couple of minutes you are in Pacific Place with its restaurants and shops, and Admiralty MTR station is about five minutes away through the mall, which makes getting around Hong Kong very easy. Central, Wan Chai and the Peak Tram are all close.

The rooms: space is the real luxury here

We stayed in an Upper Suite, and in a city famous for small living spaces, walking into around 1,230 square feet felt like a genuine extravagance. Even the entry rooms are large by Hong Kong standards. According to the hotel, the current room categories are:

• Studio 70: about 68 sq m (730 sq ft)

• Studio 80: about 78 sq m (850 sq ft), with city and mountain views and a generous dressing room

• Upper Suites: about 114 sq m (1,230 sq ft)

• Penthouse and André Fu Suite: about 182 sq m (1,960 sq ft) each, the Penthouse with two bedrooms

There are 117 rooms and suites in total, which keeps the hotel feeling intimate rather than busy.

What I remember most is the view. We watched the sun go down over the city and harbour from the bath with a drink in hand, and the window seat turned out to be one of my favourite spots in all of Hong Kong, perfect with a book. The bathrooms are designed like a private, open-plan spa, each with a freestanding limestone bathtub positioned to take in the view through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Everything in the room was controlled by touch: sheer and blackout blinds, the do not disturb signal, every light and the television. We could run the whole suite without leaving the oversized lounge.

Then there is the "Maxi Bar", which was ridiculously well stocked when I stayed. It is still complimentary, covering soft drinks, beer and snacks, with wine available to purchase, and it is one of those small touches that makes the hotel feel more like a generous home than a hotel. It is worth confirming exactly what is included when you book, as inclusions can change.

The design

The hotel was designed by Hong Kong architect André Fu, and it is a lovely example of restraint: natural materials, calm colours, original art and well-proportioned spaces with modern and Asian influences. It feels relaxed and stylish rather than showy, which is exactly why it works in one of the busiest cities in the world.

The Lawn, wellness and the pool question

Upper House does not have its own pool, and when I stayed the team offered to help us arrange access to a pool in the adjoining building. If a pool is important to you, ask about current arrangements before you book.

What it does have is The Lawn on Level 6. Walking through the glass doors from the lift, we found a grassed terrace with comfortable seating, loungers, greenery in every corner, lanterns and fairy lights. It felt like a garden in the middle of the city. These days the hotel describes it as a secret garden bar with rooftop loungers, cocktails, garden bites and wine, and it is also used for private events.

When I visited there was complimentary weekend yoga on The Lawn if you could drag yourself out of your suite early enough. The hotel now runs a broader wellness programme, including a 24-hour gym, visiting wellness residencies and in-room treatments, so check the current schedule if classes matter to you.

Eating and drinking at Upper House

The top-floor restaurant has changed since my stay. Café Gray Deluxe, where we enjoyed gin and tonics and a three-course dinner with matched wines on the 49th floor, closed at the end of 2020. In its place is Salisterra, a modern Mediterranean restaurant with the same sweeping views. Next to it, Green Room is an intimate cocktail lounge looking out over the harbour at sunset, which is the obvious spot for a pre-dinner drink.

The hotel also lists The Tea Room and Chef's Room among its dining spaces, and down in Pacific Place there is The Continental, a European-style café with a terrace.

Service that makes the stay

Upper House has built its reputation on service, and it has the recognition to show for it, including top five placings in The World's 50 Best Hotels and two MICHELIN Keys.

My own example is a simple one. We had not made many plans for our time in Hong Kong, and after a chat with one of the senior team we headed off to explore Shelley Street and SoHo with a list of their must-visit restaurants. Those personal recommendations ended up forming some of the best memories of our trip. It is the kind of service you cannot really put on a fact sheet, but you notice it, and every staff member I spoke with talked about their "House" with real pride.

The hotel also runs BMW house cars for airport transfers and city drop-offs. When I stayed they worked on a first-come, first-served basis, and if they were booked the team quickly organised another option for us.

Getting there

Hong Kong International Airport is about 35 km away. Your main options are:

• House car: a private BMW transfer booked through the hotel, roughly 30 minutes depending on traffic.

• Taxi: easy to find at the airport, with tolls and luggage charges added to the meter.

• Airport Express and MTR: the Airport Express runs to Hong Kong Station in about 25 minutes, then it is a short MTR ride or taxi to Admiralty.

Who Upper House suits

Upper House is a great fit for couples, business travellers who want space and a calm base, shoppers, and anyone breaking up the long trip from Australia to Europe with a Hong Kong stopover. Families can make it work too, as most rooms take an extra child and the Penthouse has two bedrooms. If you want a resort-style pool and lots of facilities, a larger hotel may suit you better.

Is Upper House worth it?

For me, yes. It shows how a smaller, independent-feeling hotel can stand alongside the big international names, mostly through space, thoughtful design and people who care about your stay.

If you are thinking about Hong Kong as a city break, a business trip or a stopover on the way to Europe, I would love to help you plan it. At Prestige Travel & Events we can help you choose the right room, organise your transfers and combine Hong Kong with the rest of your journey.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Upper House the same hotel as Upper House Hong Kong?

Yes. The hotel dropped "The" from its name as part of Swire Hotels' move to a single Upper House brand. It is the same hotel at Pacific Place in Admiralty.

Does Upper House Hong Kong have a pool?

No, the hotel does not have its own pool. Ask the hotel about current access to nearby facilities if a pool is important to you.

Is the minibar free at Upper House?

Yes. The in-room "Maxi Bar" is complimentary and covers soft drinks, beer and snacks. Wine is available to purchase.

How far is Upper House from Hong Kong airport?

About 35 km, or roughly 30 minutes by car depending on traffic.