Central Hotels

The Pottinger, a 68-room boutique hotel tucked into the Central neighborhood, aims to infuse a bit of modernity into a storied part of town. Guest rooms are on the smaller side (you are in a densely packed metropolis, after all) but the tasteful touches make you feel like you’re in a private residence. Don’t miss the gallery walls of black-and-white photographs by filmmaker Fan Ho, whose imagery tells a deeply personal story of the history of Hong Kong and Central.

The Four Seasons Hong Kong is on the island side of Hong Kong, with views of Kowloon, exceptional service, and eight Michelin stars under one roof, including three-star French restaurant Caprice. The rooms here are subtle (except for the bathrooms, which are totally encased in mirrors) and well-appointed. This hotel especially convenient for business travel, and you'll notice most guests seem to be here for work. If you're in town with intentions to shop, the Four Seasons is right next the International Finance Center mall and a quick walk from all the shops in Central and Sheung Wan.

The suites here have an elegant and modern look to them, with huge windows that open up onto a balcony that wraps around the entire space. The views from all the way up there are incredible. Non-suite guestrooms are all similarly decorated with Chinese antiques and modern furniture. And while you may not want to leave the confines of your room, there are ten restaurants and bars in the Mandarin Hotel to work your way through.

This ultra-contemporary, boutique-like addition to the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong family offers only 100-odd rooms, making it a bit less bustling than its flagship counterpart. Though it occupies a smaller footprint, they most definitely have not scrimped on amenities: There’s an amazing two-story spa, the rooms are huge, and lavish touches abound, which is pretty much what you’d expect from a Mandarin Oriental hotel.