Hong Kong - Regal Airport Hotel
Spring 2009
Frank's view 
Regal, in name only
Sometimes needs must, and on this occasion the need was that I must stay close to Hong Kong airport.
A late arrival followed by an early morning departure meant that it was pointless making the long trek into HK, unless I wanted to party all night, which I didn’t.
Now I suspect that if you asked 100 weary travellers what they would most long for when arriving at an airport hotel, a hot bath or shower, and a comfy bed would feature very highly, if not at the top of their list. They were both at the top of mine.
I entered my room just after 10pm and made for the shower. Eventually the cold water ran lukewarm.
The bed carried a note, which informed guests that the hotel has a variety of pillows available upon request to ensure a good night’s sleep. The note did not advise that the pillows were stored between the bottom sheet and the mattress. A thick, padded under mattress created probably the worst night I have ever had in a hotel. It was like sleeping on a sponge.
HK airport sets an example to many other airports around the world, particularly Western airports, by offering airport wide complimentary wireless Internet access to all. It works well and is a gesture which I’m sure is appreciated by many travellers. It was therefore extraordinary that the Regal Hotel, which is actually attached to the airport Terminal, charges for Internet access. It is all the more extraordinary when one considers the cost of a room. My very ordinary room was HK$1800 (£160 / US$230) for the night.
The hotel boasts about its double glazing which keeps out the noise of the airplanes. Certainly plane noise was limited to distant rumbles, but it is a pity the hotel did not put as much effort into its internal soundproofing.
Attempted sleep was interrupted by one side of a telephone conversation in a neighbouring room and running water from adjacent rooms throughout the night.
I was given a complimentary upgrade to the Regal Club floor. The Regal Lounge was deserted when I checked it out at around 10.30, the main benefit of access being breakfast and early evening canapés (both of which I missed). The lounge only opens between 6.30am and 11.30pm. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to have a lounge which caters for guests arriving at all times of the day and night?
The hotel has several restaurants and a bar, all of which resemble the set ups you normally find in airport departure areas.
Apparently the Hong Kong Regal Airport Hotel was voted the best airport hotel in the Asia Pacific region each year between 2001 and 2005. Last year Business Traveller UK magazine voted it the Best Business Hotel in the World.
If this is the best, God help the rest!
Regal Airport Hotel
Hong Kong International Airport
+852 2286 8888
http://www.regalhotel.com/Regal-Airport-Hotel/
Sponge bed, Room pants
A late arrival followed by an early morning departure meant that it was pointless making the long trek into HK, unless I wanted to party all night, which I didn’t.
Now I suspect that if you asked 100 weary travellers what they would most long for when arriving at an airport hotel, a hot bath or shower, and a comfy bed would feature very highly, if not at the top of their list. They were both at the top of mine.
I entered my room just after 10pm and made for the shower. Eventually the cold water ran lukewarm.
The bed carried a note, which informed guests that the hotel has a variety of pillows available upon request to ensure a good night’s sleep. The note did not advise that the pillows were stored between the bottom sheet and the mattress. A thick, padded under mattress created probably the worst night I have ever had in a hotel. It was like sleeping on a sponge.
HK airport sets an example to many other airports around the world, particularly Western airports, by offering airport wide complimentary wireless Internet access to all. It works well and is a gesture which I’m sure is appreciated by many travellers. It was therefore extraordinary that the Regal Hotel, which is actually attached to the airport Terminal, charges for Internet access. It is all the more extraordinary when one considers the cost of a room. My very ordinary room was HK$1800 (£160 / US$230) for the night.
The hotel boasts about its double glazing which keeps out the noise of the airplanes. Certainly plane noise was limited to distant rumbles, but it is a pity the hotel did not put as much effort into its internal soundproofing.
Attempted sleep was interrupted by one side of a telephone conversation in a neighbouring room and running water from adjacent rooms throughout the night.
I was given a complimentary upgrade to the Regal Club floor. The Regal Lounge was deserted when I checked it out at around 10.30, the main benefit of access being breakfast and early evening canapés (both of which I missed). The lounge only opens between 6.30am and 11.30pm. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to have a lounge which caters for guests arriving at all times of the day and night?
The hotel has several restaurants and a bar, all of which resemble the set ups you normally find in airport departure areas.
Apparently the Hong Kong Regal Airport Hotel was voted the best airport hotel in the Asia Pacific region each year between 2001 and 2005. Last year Business Traveller UK magazine voted it the Best Business Hotel in the World.
If this is the best, God help the rest!
Regal Airport Hotel
Hong Kong International Airport
+852 2286 8888
http://www.regalhotel.com/Regal-Airport-Hotel/
Sponge bed, Room pants
Be Frank: agree or disagree? What do you think?
