The View: The views of Victoria Harbour, looking from Kowloon towards Hong Kong Island and its iconic skyline, never get old. The constantly changing light from uplifting sunrise to night-time neon, and the mesmerising marine and promenade traffic, are panoramic companions throughout the day. Naturally, rooms facing the harbour are the most sought-after, but the city view north into Kowloon is no slouch either.
First Impressions: K11 ARTUS (a mash-up of Art and Domus (‘home’ in Latin) was created by Kohn Pedersen Fox (the architecture), André Fu (the interiors) and P Landscape (the vertical gardens).
Guests arrive from the lift straight into The Living Salon where it’s impossible to feel anything other than right at home. There is plenty of greenery in the shape of cheese plants and cacti, stylish clusters of sofas, chairs and rocking chairs with cosy throws around coffee tables, and shelves of art and artefacts.
You can’t help but wonder, is this IS what founder and chairman of K11 Concepts and executive vice-chairman of New World Development Adrian Cheng’s own home looks and feels like?
K11 ARTUS is part of the stylish art and design Victoria Dockside complex
The Location: Staying here is not just about the harbour, although for anyone partial to an early morning jog or walk, the promenade couldn’t be a better place. Over the last 10 years Cheng has transformed this part of the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront with his US$2.6 billion Victoria Dockside redevelopment.
The area includes the K11 Atelier office tower next door in the same building as the Rosewood Hotel, K11 ARTUS and, below, K11 MUSEA.
K11 MUSEA is the mall he calls “a gift to Hong Kong’s next generation”. It is so stylish even non-shoppers will appreciate its mix of creativity, culture and coffee as well as the fashion and food. There’s also swift access to the MTR, a few minutes’ stroll to the Star Ferry and plenty more exploring up Nathan Road into Tsim Sha Tsui and beyond.
This two-bedroom residence showcases each rooms’ signature spacious home-from-home feel
The Room: There are 287 residences with studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites plus three penthouses to choose from. Divided into the East and West wings, the hotel feels intimate and boutique, and has a strong eco-conscience.
Rooms are spacious, with generous king-sized beds by floor-to-ceiling windows, living areas of L-shaped sofas, large screens and work/dining tables, useful kitchenettes with coffee machines (Nespresso capsules are recycled), pots, pans and fridges, plus mini-bars. Water is Nordaq filtered and presented in their refillable glass water bottles. Bathrooms are sleek and efficient, with Aesop amenities (empty bottles are returned to Aesop). Calming, warm coloured furnishings are decorated with lifestyle coffee table books, ceramics, a mini easel with coloured pencils, and technology that means you can message through your smartphone for assistance. It feels like a cross between a cosy serviced apartment and a high-end hotel.
The Service: Check-in happens comfortably ensconced in your room rather than the delightful Library Space/reception, and staff are on hand at all times to help.
The semi-buffet breakfast’s spread is generous and complemented by hot western or Chinese breakfast choices. The Commune restaurant’s dinner also offers a set from east or west.
Recreation trainers are delighted to have company in the 24/7 gym, they bring water and towels to loungers by the pool and anticipate needs as much as possible. And in The Chamber, the bar’s mixologists shake up quality cocktails with panache and charm.
Memorable Moments: Staff offer a mini art tour of the hotel, which doubles up as a useful tour of facilities. Guests learn about the contemporary, Ming and Qing Dynasty pieces, which include sculpture, ceramics and fine art, as well as an impressive library of books.
Cheng is a passionate collector, and also set up the K11 Art Foundation to support artists working in Hong Kong and China. Balconies curve around the building – it’s such a pleasure to be able to step outside and feel like you’re part of the harbour, especially ideal for the many long-stay guests.
Final word: Adrian Cheng’s residential K11 ARTUS is a stunning sanctuary of art, light, space and homely comforts. It is arguably the address in Kowloon at the moment, with its K11 MUSEA and waterside location.
www.artus.com.hk