Here I am at the reception desk of the InterContinental hotel. I am tired after almost 5 weeks in China away from home and need some rest. Something that will surprise me as well.
I have been handed two keys of the largest Presidential Suite in Hong Kong at 7000 sq. feet and one of the largest Asian ‘City’ Presidential Suites. It is also one of the 10 “most expensive hotel rooms in the world” as rated by Forbes in April 2006 . To make a long story short, I am going to point you below a few interesting facts just in case you decide to book it for your next trip.
Designed by the firm of LTW (Lim + Teo + Wilkes Design Works) based in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Milan, the Presidential suite is first of all duplex with an expansive rooftop terrace and private infinity swimming pool and Jacuzzi overlooking a stunning Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island. and at 2500 sq. feet, I can host approx. 60 of my friends for cocktails and 36 for a seated dinner. I better start making acquaintances during my relatively short stay as for now I only have 2 cousins and two friends which is a couple.
The ‘IMAX’ experience of Hong Kong was conceived through a 2-storey plate glass windows with panoramic views from the Living Room, Dining Room, Master Bedroom and Bathroom. The Duplex design includes an upstairs viewing gallery overlooking the Living Room and Victoria Harbor and there is the spot where this evening I am planning to savor the 9 Dragons cocktail before heading to Nobu downstairs with the intention of keeping the same cinematographic experience until I go to sleep carried away by the dream / reality state of mind. I am in Hong Kong without leaving home.
The five-bedroom suite has a Master Bedroom plus 4 additional connecting bedrooms, Living Room (with a 65” Sharp Aquos LCD Television), Dining Room, Kitchenette, Study, Private Gym and Powder Room. The décor has a contemporary design with Asian influences in art and accessories, with warm earth tones and accents of vibrant colors.
Large master Bedroom has a 37” Sharp Aquos LCD Television, walk-in closet and changing area, large marble bathroom offering a spa experience with rain forest shower for two, a dry sauna and a steam room, plus a Jacuzzi overlooking Victoria Harbor.
Green “African Butterfly“ marble from the quarries of Fujian Province in the Southern part of China is used throughout the Presidential Suite. As per designer, HL Lim, “the design in the marble is reminiscent of a Chinese painting with the look of brush strokes in the grain of the marble”. (This marble is used at the entrance and in the Master Bathroom, which has 2 hand-carved marble sinks made from single blocks.See the pictures above)
Throughout the suite, walnut wood is used to create a feeling of warmth. Walnut panels for the walls in the Master Bedroom and walnut cabinetry of walnut in the Study (desk, side table and walls), as well as in the Dining Room. The artwork throughout the suite was commissioned by HL Lim and created by the “Beijing Long Mai Gallery” with both paintings and sculptures by Chinese artists.Most of the furniture is custom-designed by HL Lim especially for the Suite. Custom carpeting throughout the suite is from Tai Ping (Hong Kong) The sophisticated lighting panel system is by Gira (Germany); with the control system by Lutron (USA).
In the Duplex Living room whose floor of the elevated sitting area is “Jerusalem Gold” marble from Egypt, a 65” Sharp Aquos LCD Television (the first in the world outside of Japan), a BOSE Lifestyle 38 DVD/CD Home Entertainment System with iPod docking station and BOSE speakers throughout the suite. The cinnabar colored lounge chair in the Living Room is from “B&B Italia” and is “Metropolitan”, designed by Jeffrey Bernett
My mum and sister , Interior designers, will certainly appreciate the neutral colour scheme with earth tones and red damask accent fabrics by “Stroheim & Romann”, on the chairs are by “Gretchen Bellinger and the sofa fabric is by celebre house “Lelievre”
Thai legendary designer Jim Thompson silks are used for the cushions and “Stroheim & Romann” rich red fabric was used on Living Room sofa.
More details are necessary to surprise you : The fruit bowl on the coffee table is custom hand-blown glass art from “Hoglund Art Glass Gallery” by internationally renowned New Zealand glass artists Ola Höglund and Marie Simberg-Höglund, the amber glass vase and other Living Room accessories, including the metal canisters are from “The Link Home” in Singapore. Roman sheer fabric curtains with double volume space are of Christian Fischbacher (Switzerland) fabric and the wireless telephone is Bang & Olufsen .
The Dining Table has a walnut wood top and seats 10-12 persons. I lay my laptop on top of it and notice multi-functional hidden IT and AV access points Around me The diamond patterned champagne wall covering is by “Anya Larkin – Origami Range”, I realize that the backlit white board can be used for meetings under ceiling pendant lights designed by “Holly Hunt” (USA)
I now decide to finally jump into then Master Bedroom where “Edelman” leather was used on the bedroom ceiling and headboard to create a rich feel. The feature walls utilize natural “thatch” products set in acrylic panels created by “3 Form” (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA). So chic !
My suitcase has already been emptied and lays on the walnut cabinetry in the bedroom and walk-in closet.
The console made of Mother of Pearl from the Philippines houses is concealing a 37” Sharp Aquos LCD television & Bose home entertainment sound system, which elevates from the console at my touch of the button. The bedside tables, also made of Mother of Pearl, add texture to the bedroom.
The bedside glass lamps are by “Vaughan” (UK and the cotton satin with a thread count of 500 Bed Linens by CHRISTIAN FISCHBACHER, Switzerland .
On the Wireless Bang & Olufsen telephone i make that call. Good evening miss, could you send to the Presidential suite that 9 Dragon cocktail drink for two ? Of Course Miss Maslaton Right away, I hoe you’ll enjoy your stay with us. Have a pleasant evening,
Joelle’s picks:
InterContinental Hong Kong, Hong Kong, S.A.R., China
(http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/2006/04/26/expensive-hotelrooms-world_cx_sb_0427featA_ls.html)
