The Upper House Hong Kong5

The Upper House in Hong Kong is a true benchmark of the “quiet luxury” concept, exceeding the expectations of even the most discerning travellers. Guests unanimously praise the unique blend of home-like comfort and impeccable service, which makes the hotel feel like a luxurious private residence rather than a classic hotel. The spacious minimalist interiors by renowned designer André Fu, panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, and stunning attention to detail create an atmosphere of absolute calm in the heart of a bustling metropolis.

Key Observations

Absolute harmony of space: The interiors by André Fu have earned rave reviews for their clean lines, warmth of natural wood, and thoughtful zoning.

Unique arrival ritual: Instead of a conventional check-in desk, guests are immediately escorted to their room, where all paperwork is completed in a private and relaxed setting.

Trajectory: Over the years, the hotel has consistently maintained an exceptionally high level of quality. Returning guests who have stayed here for several years (from 2024 to 2026) note that the service not only upholds the impeccable standards of Swire Hotels but also becomes more personalized.

Main Pros

• Exceptionally spacious rooms (starting from 80 sq m), a huge rarity in Hong Kong.
• Fantastic panoramic views of Victoria Harbour and the city through floor‑to‑ceiling windows, including in the bathroom.
• Completely complimentary, daily‑restocked Maxi Bar (except wine and champagne) with snacks and beverages.
• Eco‑friendly touch: an in‑room integrated water‑filtration system eliminates plastic bottles.
• An incredible level of personalised service that surpasses the standards of most five‑star chains.

Main Cons

• No on‑site swimming pool (the guest‑accessible pool is located somewhere else and quite far).
• Potential noise in rooms directly below the top floor in the evening due to the popular Salisterra restaurant on the 49th floor.
• Tricky navigation on the first visit: the hotel entrance sits on an elevated position and is hard to find without signs from the Pacific Place shopping mall.

Overall Grade: A

Hotel Overview

Basic Information:

• Name — The Upper House (奕居)
• Address — Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
• Contact — +852 3968 1000
• Year opened — 2009
• Number of rooms — 117
• Positioning and category — ultra‑luxury boutique hotel, “quiet luxury” concept

Description: The hotel is a secluded sanctuary rising above the busy Admiralty district. Its design concept is built on principles of minimalism, symmetry, and natural materials — wood and stone. The space is crafted to minimize stress: there is no flashy luxury, yet every detail, from the pleasant scent at the entrance to the texture of the bed linens, is thoughtfully executed. The room rate includes personalised butler service, the Maxi Bar, and access to a digital film library.

Target Audience: Couples seeking romance, lovers of contemporary design, business travellers who value privacy, and families with children who appreciate extra room (the hotel provides excellent children’s amenities and toys).

Location & Transport

Location: The hotel is in the prestigious Admiralty district, directly above the upscale Pacific Place shopping mall. It is a quieter, greener alternative to the waterfront, set at the foot of the hill.

Key Points of Interest: Within walking distance are the picturesque Hong Kong Park with its aviary, the botanical garden, and Victoria Peak. The windows offer one of the best views of the harbour.

Transport: Excellent transport links. The hotel is connected by a direct walkway to Admiralty MTR station (a major interchange), from which you can easily reach anywhere in the city. Taxis are available at the entrance around the clock.

Walkability: Direct access to Pacific Place makes shopping and dining extremely convenient. The pedestrian paths around the park are safe and pleasant for walks.

Grade: A+

Rooms & Cleanliness

The spaciousness and cleanliness of the rooms delight every guest without exception. The Zen‑inspired interiors feature enormous beds with premium linens that feel like sleeping on a cloud. The bathrooms deserve special mention: they are huge, fitted with a deep soaking tub by a panoramic window overlooking the harbour or mountains, and double vanities. Integrated fresh‑water filtration systems eliminate plastic bottles. Housekeeping is flawless, and in the evenings, turndown service leaves thoughtful treats like chocolates, biscuits, or warm milk. The only nuance — a handful of guests found the mattresses too firm or noticed air‑conditioning noise, but these are isolated mentions.

Grade: A

Service

The level of hospitality here is called “the best in the world.” Staff anticipate every need: guests are warmly greeted by name, helped to arrange celebratory surprises, and when leaving early (for example, at 6:00 a.m.), they may, unprompted, pack a full breakfast to go to the airport. Guests fondly recall managers Kingston, Sharon, Eddie, and team members Nathalie and Chloe, who made their stay unforgettable. Any request sent via messaging is fulfilled instantly.

Grade: A+

Dining

Breakfasts and dinners are served in the panoramic restaurant Salisterra on the 49th floor. The menu offers exquisite Mediterranean cuisine and magnificent signature cocktails. The quality of ingredients is top‑notch, with guests especially praising the fresh fruit and pastries. A few guests, however, noted that breakfast service can be unhurried and the menu could be slightly more varied for longer stays.

Grade: A-

Facilities & Amenities

The hotel has a compact but well‑equipped Technogym fitness room with panoramic views, offering free weights and cardio machines. Spa treatments and wellness programmes are available directly in the rooms. The key infrastructure drawback is the lack of an on‑site swimming pool — for water‑based activities, guests must use an off‑site pool that is quite far.

Grade: B+

Important Notes

• The cost of staying here is significantly above the Hong Kong average, but guests consider it entirely justified by the level of comfort.
• When booking rooms on the top floors directly below the restaurant, be aware that evening music may be audible until around 10:00–11:00 p.m.
• For infants, the hotel provides cots rather than wooden cribs — this is worth clarifying in advance.

Practical Tips for Guests

• Choose a Harbour View room to enjoy Hong Kong’s famous lights right from the bathtub.
• Definitely take advantage of the free Maxi Bar — all drinks (except wine and champagne) and snacks are included and regularly restocked.
• When visiting for the first time, follow the lifts and signs inside Pacific Place; street‑level navigation to the hilltop entrance can be confusing.
• If travelling with children, let the hotel know in advance: the staff does a beautiful job preparing rooms, providing child‑size bathrobes, toys, colouring books, and safety rails.
• Stop by Salisterra for a sunset cocktail — the views of Victoria Harbour from here are among the best on the island.
• If you have an early departure, ask the staff to pack a breakfast to go — they will prepare a full continental set with hot coffee.
• Pay attention to the integrated filtered‑water tap in the room — the water quality is excellent.

Final Verdict

The Upper House is a triumph of personalised service and architectural minimalism, offering a sense of absolute calm in one of the world’s most dynamic cities. The hotel is virtually flawless, except for the lack of an on‑site pool.

Overall Grade: A

Breakdown: Location: A+ | Rooms: A | Service: A+ | Dining: A- | Facilities: B+ | Value for Money: A-

Best for: discerning couples, lovers of quiet luxury, families with children, and aesthetes.

Not for: those for whom having a luxurious swimming pool inside the hotel building is a non‑negotiable condition of their stay.