We review The Hari Hong Kong and discover delectable design and a pasta dish we’d fight you for

Checking in at the latest design-led properties across the globe gives us life here at The Hotel Journal. From The American Club in Wisconsin, to imaginative Keemala in Phuket, and Canopy by Hilton in London, we love to discover what’s hot and happening in the world of hotels. Recently, we stayed at The Hari Hong Kong and enjoyed it so much that we booked in for an extra night (now you know that says something!) See why we fell in love below.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

The Hari Hong Kong review

Nestled in-between bustling Causeway Bay and the nightlife district of Wan Chai, The Hari Hong Kong has quickly made a name for itself. A sister hotel to Belgravia’s The Hari London (which appears on our list of best boutique hotels in London btw), the property was designed by seasoned hotel expert Tara Bernerd in conjunction with the Chairman and CEO of Harilela Hotels, Dr. Aron Harilela. The result is a hotel jam-packed with inviting and warm spaces where contemporary art adorns the walls next to shelves filled with classic novels and coffee table books about people, places, and things that inspire. Quite simply, it feels like home (or at least what your home would look like if you had your way.)

A special shout-out has to go to the team behind this hotel. We love that they all bring that classic hospitality, where no request is too much, but they’ve modernised this somehow and just make a stay or a visit feel really special.

The rooms

Offering 210 guestrooms, we stayed in one of the lovely premium corner rooms that offer sweeping views of the city and even a glimpse of the harbour. It was more spacious than most Hong Kong hotel rooms and wowed us with its ridiculously comfy beds (HK is famous for hotel beds that feel like stone!) decked out in Mühldorfer linens.

Signature The Hari scented amenities by La Bottega are on hand in reusable bottles, a big tick in the eco-friendly box. In fact, we were happy to see bamboo toothbrushes and even wooden razors on offer in recyclable packaging as the norm here; plus the hotel’s use of the Nordaq filtered water is another sustainable coup.

You know we love a high quality robe, in fact cheap robes at good hotels is one of our biggest gripes, and the Kashwere option piped in the hotel’s blue was uber cosy and big enough to feel completely engulfed.

Unfortunately, there was no bath in the room, but if you book into one of the stunning suites available, you’ll have one along with a terrace to enjoy sundowners, yoga, or a private moment.

Eateries

We’d already dined at both of The Hari’s restaurants before we stayed, and we were interested to see if the food remained at the same high standards. Thankfully, we weren’t disappointed.

First, we treated ourselves to a room service pasta dish from Lucciola, the Italian restaurant helmed by Piedmont-born chef Francesco Gava, and it was absolutely divine. Cavatelli al Granchio, Limone e Zafferano (Cavatelli Pasta, Alaskan King Crab, Butter Sauce, Amalfi Lemon, and Saffron) was served with a generous portion of Alaskan King Crab and the pasta was so good, we could probably eat it every day. We may have ordered a couple of desserts (all in the name of research of course!) and can confirm that both the tiramisu and the Torta Caprese Bianca (lemon cake with white chocolate) hit it out of the ballpark.

For dinner, we headed to Zoku, The Hari’s Japanese space where origami ceilings and velvet booths offer plenty of eye candy. Do yourself a favour and sample some of the cocktails that are inspired by Hong Kong itself, we love the Wan Chai Sour that pays homage to the iconic bo lo bau (pineapple bun), and there are also some great mocktails on offer.

You really can’t go wrong with the food here, but we have to shout a few of the dishes that will definitely put a smile on your face. The Toro Tartare with tapioca chip, truffle aioli, and caviar should really be illegal, it’s just so mouth-watering. We ordered to share, but recommend indulging in one for yourself as the flavour pairings are just so well done. The grilled maitake mushroom, with avocado, shichimi, sweet miso, and crispy shallots is the perfect hand roll for anyone who loves a flavour punch, while the Alaskan Black Cod miso marinated with pickled myoga and ume plum rivals anything on the menu at Nobu or Zuma.

Breakfast is served in Lucciola with a buffet of fresh pastries, cereals, cold cuts, and juices. There’s also an a la carte menu where you can sample a range of egg dishes and sweet treats. As the restaurant is so intimate, some guests need to eat in The Lounge area but floating wait staff will ensure you want for nothing.

What to do

There’s a gym onsite that has a selection of equipment, including machines and free weights. But one of our favourite pastimes at The Hari Hong Kong is flicking through a book in The Lounge with a cup of tea and letting the time pass us by. That luscious bed also had us cocooned for oodles of Netflix moments and more than a few naps.

Find out more about The Hari Hong Kong

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