Excelsior Hong Kong Hotel

, Hong Kong, China
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Excelsior Hong Kong Hotel

4 star

Rooms: 884

281 Gloucester Road - Hong Kong - 00000 - China Hotel Website | | 2894 8888
626 Traveller

Reviews - Excelsior Hong Kong Hotel

5/10
Tries too hard to be fancy -- and misses!
Submitted by: Matt O'Brien in 07/09/05
  • Age Group: 31 - 40
  • From: United States
  • Traveller type: Business Traveller
The Excelsior is one of those mid-level hotels that tries to be a first-rate hotel, but can't pass muster. That they are owned by the Mandarin Oriental chain only makes it worse, since the staff thinks they are working at the Mandarin, but without the training and resources to bump up the service and amenities to make a stay here memorable or enjoyable. Certainly, if someone was not used to staying at first-rate hotels, they wouldn't notice how young and unprofessional the desk, lobby and business center staff are here. It's hard to describe it, since the differences can be subtle to those not used to good service, but to see what I mean simply walk into the lobby of the Peninsula in Hong Kong, and walk into the lobby here. Not taking into account the physical differences, which are not worth comparing (the Penisula is a more expensive hotel) but it doesn't cost anymore for a well-trained, professional and friendly staff. The Excelsior stumbles badly. The rooms are way over-designed. They look like a designer's first job, with an attempt to include everything they'd ever read about for a "hip" hotel (which this is not). A glass window from the shower to the room (senseless in this setting), glass sink bowl (always messy looking), backlighting, cove lighting, hidden lighting everywhere -- there are seven different light switches just for the room. It's silly -- and all the built-in furniture, shelves, tables, sofas, closets -- everything is over-wrought and jammed into the space making a typically small Asian room even smaller. I never did figure out how to turn the backlighting off inside the frosted glass closet. The room redo's are likely new, since they are in pretty good shape, but it looks dated -- mid-1990s stuff. The business center looks like it was passed by when the rooms were upgraded --definitely 1980s looking -- a get this, a 20 percent surcharge for calling DHL to pick up my box of laundry I was sending home. Every hotel I stayed in on this trip called DHL for free. That surcharge was absurd. And when I
complained about it (a US$120 "extra" charge for making a phone call!! THAT was more expensive than THE ROOM!) to the manager on duty, he said "it's the hotel policy". Yes, but it's still stupid, policy or not. And a real hotel, offering real service NEVER tells a guest with a legitimate complaint, "it's the hotel policy" shrugs and walks away. As an overall experience was the stay bad? No, but what irks me is when a hotel pretends to be classy and service oriented, and it is not even close. Just be honest, Excelsior, you are a pedestrian hotel. Don't pretend to be anything else --that's what makes guests upset. If the hotel had simply advertised themselves as a middle-of-the-road place, my middle-of-the-road experience would not be nearly so disturbing.
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9/10
Good Breakfast
Submitted by: P. Dulhunty in 20/05/05
  • Age Group: 41 - 50
  • From: Australia
  • Traveller type: Business Traveller
Convenient to Causeway Bay and the metro. Great breakfast as there are five chefs to attend your every need. Juice chef. Omelette chef. Noodle chef. Pancake chef. Sushi chef. The best in the world. S. England is right.
7/10
Best breakfast in the world-so far!!
Submitted by: Sandy England in 19/05/05
  • Age Group: 41 - 50
  • From: Australia
  • Traveller type: Business Traveller
Saturday 15th May 2002 (extract from Journal)
We took a taxi to the Excelsior Hotel in Causeaway bay. Our room 2306 was excellent overlooking Hong Kong Harbour,the marina and Kowloon.It was relaxing watching the yachts come and go from the marina, it looked more like a jigsaw puzzle than a marina.The breakfast was amazing freshly squeezed juices and a selection of American and Chinese food to feast on.We had orginally rated Shangri-La Hotel in China as the best hotel for breakfast but now we are giving the Excelsior the thumbs up. Wednesday 20th April 2005. Booked into our favourite hotel The Excelsior we were unable to get a waterview room this time so our room 601 was a little disappointing as it was small and stuffy but once again the breakfast was fabulous.I had freshly squeezed carrot and celery juice followed by a splendid omelette and fresh fruit.Peter indulged himself with a plate of dim sims, omlette and creamy pancakes.A walk was now on the agenda.

Top Local Tips for Hong Kong

Star Ferry Make sure you make a crossing on the fantastic Star Ferry - best 12p you will spend in HK!

Octopus Pass Just get the octopus pass that gets you from airport to central HK and back. Do not bother with the extended card which includes unlimited MRT rides for 3 days, you never use it up - just pay per ride and you still end up ahead. If you fly Cathay Pacific they may have specials if you buy on the plane.

Don't forget to visit the South side of the island Go to Shek O. You can get a minicab there for 120-150 HK$ from central. There are lovely beaches and nice Thai style restaurants. Great place to chill out and you will be amazed with the scenary. It is unbelievable that this place is only a few miles away from some of the most densely populated areas in the world

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Other names for Excelsior Hong Kong Hotel

  • mandarin oriental hong kong
  • excelsior hotel hong kong
  • excelsior hong kong
  • Address: 281 Gloucester Road - Hong Kong - 00000 - China
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