From spruced-up digs to established artisan retailers and to-die-for diners, we turn the gimlet eye of LUXE onto the places we rate most.
What
The Fleming
Where
Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Why we love it
Big-name biz digs have long dominated Hong’s Kong’s hotel scene with their vast room numbers and greige, could-be-anywhere-in-the-world aesthetic, but thankfully, change is afoot. Hot on the heels of LUXE fave Little Tai Hang, is nostalgia-laced boutique flop spot The Fleming. With its dapper good looks and neighbourhood focus, this recent opening in Wan Chai signifies a welcome trend in bedding down.
Taking its cue from Hong Kong’s iconic Star Ferry, the hotel’s design, by supremos Substance, sports a handsome Lincoln-green nautical theme – from the sensual curve of the lift doorways to the polished woods, brassy accents and preppy striped textiles furnishing rooms and the lobby. Each of the 66 berths open with replica ferry door panels, feature original B&W photographs and customised Shen Nong apothecary-inspired amenities, the sum of which inject character and create a distinct sense of place.
Resident eatery Osteria Marzia continues the maritime aesthetic with its polished, blue-tiled decor and Luca Marinelli’s refreshing coastal Italian menu of crudo, salads, grilled fish and pastas. Open all-day to outside diners, brekkie is on the house for staying guests. And, when it’s time to explore, Wan Chai’s many leisure pleasures, from heritage houses to top-notch sip and sup spots, are on the doorstep.
41 Fleming Rd, Wan Chai. +852 3607 2288. thefleming.com
Keen to get out n’ about? Here are three LUXE picks a pixie skip from The Fleming.
The Optimist
This vogueish, conservatory-esque sipper is a neighbourhood go-to, with an excellent happy hour (3pm-7.30pm daily) and Spanish weekend brunch. theoptimist.hk
Kam’s Roast Goose
It’s got longer queues than a Hermès sale, but it’s well worth the wait to sample the Yung Kee alum’s succulent Michelin-starred speciality. Not one for fowl-play? Opt for one of the many bbq-style spoils instead. krg.com.hk
Heritage Houses
Wan Chai is home to a cluster of splendidly restored colonial-era residences, which serve as a colourful reminder of the city’s fast-disappearing tenements. NGO-powered museum House of Stories leads tours of the historic 1920s Blue House (in which it’s located) and the 1915 Old Wan Chai Post Office. Finish with a peep inside Pak Tai Temple, Hong Kong’s largest.
For more of Wan Chai’s wonders, nab yourself a copy of the LUXE Hong Kong guide…
