There are hotels aplenty in Hong Kong. And then there’s K11 Artus. With interiors by in-demand hotel designer André Fu, this gorgeous property has had style-loving locals and travelers booking in spades since it opened last year. But don’t make the mistake of thinking this is a hotel in the traditional sense. K11 Artus is very much a residential-style property with apartment-like “residences” instead of rooms, and a dining room-style eatery rather than a fully-fledged restaurant.
Nevertheless, K11 Artus is an enticing option for Hongkongers looking for a lavish staycation while international borders are still closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s got style in spades, postcard views of Kowloon and the harbor, and access to all the shops, restaurants, and artsy endeavors that neighboring K11 Musea has to offer. And, right now, the property is rolling out a host of extras-packed staycation packages that may just tempt locals to check in and take a load off.
First Impressions
Even before arriving, guests are given a taste of the K11 Artus experience. An “Amici” – more commonly known as a guest services manager – gets in touch to see if any arrangements can be done prior to arrival. Discretion is key at the property, so on arrival, guests are quickly whisked up to the 10th floor Sky Lounge for a speedy check-in process amid sweeping views across Victoria Harbour.
It’s also at the Sky Lounge that guests get a sense of just how integral good design is to the K11 Artus DNA. The lounge itself is spacious, flooded with natural light through full-height windows, and rendered with high-quality materials (think marble) and furniture. Everywhere you look, there are coffee table books with artsy themes, and plenty of objets d’art. In a quirky touch, the back of the lounge has two rather modern foosball tables and an oversized chess set in case guests feel like having a game with a harbor-view backdrop.
The Room
Minutes later, we’re taken up to the 15th floor and shown to a spacious, stylish Two-Bedroom Residence. When the door opens, it takes us a second to pick our jaws up off the floor. The open-plan living area combines a drawing room, dining room, and kitchen. Everything here is beautifully presented, very high-tech, and fully functional – think a throw artfully draped over the couch corner, Airplay mirroring on the TV, and a kitchen stocked with all manner of fancy appliances (and snacks).
There are also two well-appointed bedrooms, each of which features its own flatscreen, bathroom, design features, and balcony access (the residence’s wrap-around balcony can be accessed from three points). The master suite is decked out with a California king bed dressed in crisp white linens, a writing desk (so handy when I needed to get a few hours’ work done), and a full-sized bathroom featuring a walk-in shower and separate bathtub. The guest room boasts two equally cozy beds and design features, but no work table or tub.
The whole thing is an aesthete’s dream and ripe for photo-ops. In a busy city like Hong Kong, it’s a truly tranquil hideaway that you won’t want to leave.
The Staycation
The first order of business after settling in? Afternoon tea. Inspired by the same service you’ll find at Artisan Lounge, at K11 Musea, the afternoon tea is elegantly presented in a gilded birdcage with a choice of teas, coffees, and juices. The grub’s good – we particularly loved the caviar on toast and mushroom tart – but in a city filled with incredible afternoon teas, this isn’t particularly memorable (though we did love the RSRV Cuvée 4.5 Champagne by Maison Mumm that was left for us to enjoy with it!).
After a quick dip in the pool – again, a rather Instagrammable, discretely laid-out version – we head down to The Commune – the onsite restaurant where breakfast, lunch, and dinner is served – to enjoy the Chef’s Menu for dinner. The meal started off on a high note with a super fresh hamachi ceviche, but veered a little off-course from there. The steamed lobster rice needed a burst of flavor; the chanterelle mushrooms in the (otherwise well-done) dover sole fillet dish were inexplicably bitter; and the hanger steak was a little tough and chewy. It wasn’t a bad meal per se, but there is certainly room for improvement if this dinner is anything to go by.
The next morning, we head to the K11 Artus gym to work off the food and wine from the night before. It’s a bit of a mission to get there – we have to go down to the 10th floor and change elevators. Surprisingly, the gym strikes a discordant note in the grander context of this design-forward property. It’s nowhere near as beautifully designed as the rest of the hotel, and although it has enough equipment for a good workout, it’s rather small and cramped. Unfortunately, the gym feels like a last-minute afterthought to K11 Artus, rather than the seamless integration of a wellness concept into the property.
Post-gym, the breakfast at The Commune was a great way to refuel. You don’t have a lot of options, but it’s hearty and nutritious. Start with a coffee (or juice), a platter of fruit and yoghurt, and a bread basket. Then, choose between the Western or Chinese (congee) main. The Western is a healthy(ish) take on a fry-up with eggs done any way, a few bacon rashers and chipolata sausages, and a roasted tomato. It’s the perfect meal to start the day.
Some Final Thoughts
Overall, the staycation was very relaxing and the experience was mostly well put together. However, there are a few kinks in the system, which was most notable during dinner at The Commune. It’s important to remember, though, that K11 Artus isn’t a hotel in the traditional sense.
Instead, it’s an elegantly-designed property of serviced apartments that are better suited to long-staying guests. From that perspective – and the fact that residences have their own kitchens and guests can order delivery from restaurants at K11 Musea – it almost makes sense that food isn’t a focal point here.
K11 Artus is currently offering a series of staycation packages with good inclusions, so if you’re tempted to try it for yourself, now’s the time.
A Toast to ONE at Victoria Dockside– from $5,600
- 1-night stay in a One Bedroom Plus Study Room residence
- Daily breakfast for two at The Commune
- A Limited Edition Van Gogh’s Ear Miniature (worth $1,000)
- 1st Anniversary Guided Art & Cultural Tour at Victoria Dockside
- Anniversary Book Direct Reward of HK$1,000 worth of K Dollars
- A 1-on-1 personal styling service session at K11 MUSEA
- Admission for 2 persons at Nature Discovery Park
- 1% of room revenue will be donated to K11 Craft & Guild Foundation to conserve and rejuvenate fast-disappearing Chinese craftsmanship
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Written by The Loop HK for K11 Artus.
The author was a guest of K11 Artus.
