One of Hong Kong’s newest five-star hotels, The Hari Hong Kong in Wan Chai is a great intimate alternative to the big cookie-cutter business hotels.

Opened in 2020 by the Harilela Group as the first Asia sibling to The Hari London in Belgravia, The Hari Hong Kong was the creation of Tara Bernerd & Partners and boasts just 210 guest rooms, including three luxurious rooftop suites with king bed, captivating views and private balconies – a rare find in the city.

First Impressions

This hotel is more chic urban hideaway than grandiose destination hotel. Guests arrive at ground level, where they’re welcomed by a towering leafy facade, and where an intimate arrival lobby sets the scene. New arrivals are then whisked up to the lobby proper, a sophisticated space with a residential vibe (think bespoke furniture and plenty of books on shelves) that’s shared with the hotel’s F&B outlets (more on those in a minute). Here, immaculately uniformed staff direct me to my guest room, a 323 sqft (30 sqm) Corner Room on the 12th floor.

The location is also a win for business travellers who need to navigate Hong Kong Island and beyond. The financial hubs of Admiralty and Central are only a few minutes away as is connectivity to the MTR system which can whisk you to all points across Hong Kong in comfort.

Accommodations

Hong Kong is infamous for its small hotel rooms so I didn’t expect a voluminous space. However, compared to many Hong Kong Island hotels, The Hari’s rooms are very livable. My Corner Room, the hotel’s second category after the entry-level King Room, features a day bed by a large picture window, a king-size bed dressed in Mühldorfer bedding & luxury linen, a large 49-inch flatscreen television on the wall, and an Italian marble bathroom with a large walk-in shower and signature Hari amenities. Rooms and suites also benefit from an ever-revolving art collection, with many pieces from local and regional talents.

Business travellers should be aware that rooms don’t feature desks per se (although the day bed has a coffee table that would work at a pinch) should that be something that’s important to your productivity. The hotel also boast high-speed internet throughout to help you stay connected.

Dining

The hotel is home to three dynamic dining outlets, Lucciola Restaurant & Bar, Zoku Restaurant, and The Terrace. Defined by a bold palette of amber and green, Lucciola Restaurant & Bar is as chic an Italian restaurant as you’ll find anywhere in Wan Chai. Here, the culinary team serves traditional Italian dishes with a modern twist as well as unforgettable weekend brunches laced with the likes of hand-cut Piedmont Fassona beef tartar; black mussels with parsley and garlic; handmade spaghetti pasta with lobster tail; and 24 months Parma ham pizza in a celebration of seasons and provenance.

Be sure to begin your meal with a cocktail based around the hotel’s own gin, a spiced, aromatic spirit made in conjunction with The Hari London – the Sprezzatura sees The Hari Gin married with apple, lime, sugar syrup, and tabasco and served in a Riedel Sour Glass.

Alternatively, head to Zoku Restaurant, a tasteful tribute to the culinary culture of Japan set against an elegant dining room in khaki velvet and pink leather. Kick off with Whisky Highball before delving into a refreshing take on Japanese cuisine that’s packed with timeless flavours.

Nearby you’ll find the hotel’s newest venue, The Terrace, where alfresco cocktails are de rigueur, especially on Wednesdays when the venue serves free-flow maki rolls and martinis. Highlights of the cocktail menu include the Hana-Hana Shochu Highball, made with Yanagita Senbouzakura, lemon and soda; and the Spritz Rosé, made with Lambrusco Otello, Cantine Ceci, Prosecco Col de Salici Extra Dry, orange and sparkling water.

Facilities

For some travellers, this might be where The Hari Hong Kong falls a little short. While there is a gym, there’s no pool or spa or really any facilities to speak of beyond its dining outlets and public spaces. However, its location is its true drawcard, as is its surrounding neighbourhood, which has no shortage of great dining venues, spas, and world-class shopping only minutes away.

Meetings & Events

The hotel features a few intimate meeting spaces. In addition to the lounge setting of the lobby, which is ideal for casual gatherings and meetings over a drink, The Hari Hong Kong also features The Boardroom, a luxurious private meeting space that’s ideal for intimate dinners or corporate boardroom conferences. In addition, perfect for launch events, the stylish al fresco terrace at Zoku and the dining room at Lucciola can be hired privately.

Green Credentials

More than just good looks, The Hari Hong Kong was also developed to leave as positive an impact on its environment as possible through local community partnerships, sustainable practices and education, ensuring an energy-conscious and environmental-friendly stay.

As a LEED (Silver), BEAM Plus (Silver) and BEEO-certified hotel, The Hari Hong Kong has been recognised for its sustainable design, construction and energy-efficient performance, while its membership of the NOW Force for Good Alliance and Food Made Good HK further reduce its carbon footprint and communicate its efforts to travellers who are conscious about sustainable accommodation and hotel experiences.

The hotel also works with Food Angel to prepare ingredients and meal boxes for the community, with staff encouraged to participate during their work hours, and supports a wide range of charities, including the Karen leung Foundation, the only charity dedicated to gynaecological cancers in Hong Kong; the WWF’s conservation efforts; and the Heep Hong Society, a leading education and rehabilitation organisation that offers training for special needs children and youth from low income families.

Other notable sustainable initiatives at the hotel include the use of water bottles, filled, capped and sealed at the hotel in collaboration with Swedish sustainable water company NORDAQ, which saves 180,000 plastic bottles a year from ending up in the ocean or landfills. In addition, thanks to a partnership with food waste company ORCA, food waste at the hotel is converted into liquid in a process not dissimilar to human digestion, much of which is repurposed by a wastewater treatment plant.

Summary

The Hari Hong Kong is not only a sophisticated house of slumber in one of the city’s most vibrant corners, but it’s also a sign of the positive role a hotel can play both in terms of environmental protection and how it bolsters and empowers the community in which it operates.

The Hari Hong Kong, 330 Lockhart Rd, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; from HK$3,500 (US$446) per night

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