The 36-Year-Old King of Admiralty! The Timeless Luxury Charm of JW Marriott

After many years away, the first stop upon returning to Hong Kong was the original JW Marriott, standing tall in Admiralty for 36 years! This Asia-Pacific flagship hotel, with its prime location and powerful presence, instantly won my heart. The hotel is directly connected to Pacific Place, and it’s super convenient to take the Airport Express straight from the plane! As soon as you step into the lobby, the impressively high ceilings and duplex staircase design exude the boldness of the economic boom era! I originally wanted to try the newly renovated Executive Harbour View Room, but the app automatically upgraded me to a Harbour View Suite! This suite is actually two sea view king rooms combined, with the living room and bedroom at a corner, and floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides offering an unobstructed view of Victoria Harbour and Central! Although the design isn’t trendy, the facilities are impeccably maintained and feel fresher than new — truly, it gets better with age. Foodies must rush here! The Marriott’s Golden Palace is notoriously hard to book, with consistently excellent dim sum and richly layered soup bases, though the prices are a bit steep. Happy Hour offers high-quality ingredients, and the lobby breakfast has so many options it’s dazzling — plus, you can take it to go! However, with over 30 years of history, some design elements do feel a bit “dated,” like the giant mirror and dim lighting in the elevator lobby, which can be a little eerie. Also, the hotel is so popular that it’s noisy from morning till night, and even live piano music can’t fully mask the hustle and bustle. With over 2,000 rooms and often fully booked, it’s clear how popular this hotel is! Although its design isn’t as modern as the adjacent The Murray, it makes up for it with dignity. This “old-school gentleman” is about to be renovated and will surely continue to shine in the next decade! If you want to experience authentic Hong Kong luxury, this is the perfect choice!