For exceptional arts and diverse experiences, be sure to put Hong Kong on your clients’ maps
In Hong Kong, a city known for its glittering skyscrapers, there is plenty of culture for visitors to discover. Often dubbed “the arts capital of Asia”, it’s especially appealing to those passionate about the arts – and fine dining. Here we rustle up eight leading arts-inspired hotels and restaurants to whet your customers’ appetites.
The piece de resistance of the Victoria Dockside arts and design district, a stay here won’t fail to impress. In addition to supreme comfort and unparalleled style, guests will find a myriad of charming and thought-provoking pieces throughout the property from local and international artists, including a series of six Zodiac paintings by Damien Hirst, bold canvases by America’s Joe Bradley and elegant works by ink artist Wilson Shieh.
At this elegantly refined restaurant, guests can choose from six artfully designed rooms in which to hold executive meetings over coffee or enjoy a spot of lunch, afternoon tea or private fine dining. Suggest booking at the highly Instragrammable Pink Room, which pays tribute to Hong Kong’s stylish women with gorgeous interiors featuring marble decor, millennial pink booths and gold accents.
The sister property to Hari London exudes the same resplendent air and benefits from a prime location just four minutes’ walk away from Times Square. Handpicked art from London’s Pontone Gallery adorn the walls and, upon entering, guests will be welcomed by a mesmerising work of mirrored stainless steel by Rado Kirov, entitled The Monumental Melt. Other notable pieces include Hong Sungchul’s String Hands, utilising complex layers of hundreds of pieces of wood.
Having opened in 2014, this eatery has won over the hearts of Hong Kongers not only for its innovative fusion-inspired cuisine but also for its playful vintage setting. Visitors will be in good company among a clowder of waving lucky cats on one wall, while neat mahjong tiles feature in the kitchen area and retro Chinese prints and artwork pique interest. Popular choices from the menu include prawn toast, pork and cabbage dumplings and Wagyu short ribs.
Building a reputation as a patron of the arts is no easy feat, yet The Peninsula’s flagship 300-room hotel does this so breezily thanks to its annual Art in Resonance programme, launched to tie in with the Art Basel festival that takes place each year. Guests young and old can also take part in the Peninsula Academy, which offers bespoke experiences that provide an insight into Hong Kong’s storied past and culture, from lantern-making to gastronomy. In addition, its Michelin-starred Spring Moon restaurant designed to allude to the Roaring Twenties serves up sought-after specialities such as Chinese teas, homemade XO chilli sauce and acclaimed mini egg custard mooncake.
Hong Kong is bursting with world-class restaurants, one of which is Michelin-starred Duddell’s in the Central district. Billed as a cultural destination for people who have an active appreciation for the arts, it even employs its own dedicated art manager to curate special screenings and galleries. Previous exhibitions have included Inspired by Ink – Paintings from the MK Lau Collection and Curve of Buoyancy, showcasing pieces by female collectors.
With its pristine white facade and stately arches, visitors to Hong Kong would be forgiven for mistaking The Murray for a museum or an art gallery. It is, in fact, a majestic 336-key hotel that pays homage to the arts through its private collection of works by renowned artists. Among the gems are hanging charcoal pieces by Bahk Seon-Ghi in the hotel lobby and a sculpture by late legendary architect Zaha Hadid.
A relative newcomer to the Hong Kong foodie scene, FAM (Food, Art and Music) serves up contemporary Cantonese cuisine perfectly paired with 180-degree views of Victoria Harbour and the Art Park. Diners will be wowed by the street art and light installations evocative of Japanese artists Takashi Murakami’s world, while other captivating works include Hong Kong performance artist Frog King’s sculpture – a disorientating jumble of Chinese characters inked onto a monolith.