Amy Adejokun
Section editor
The Stanford Hillview is set on a hill at the heart of Hong Kong city centre, and although basic, a little outdated and somewhat lacking in the charm department, this imposing tower block enjoys an ideal location for those looking to explore the delights of the city. In short, if you're looking for somewhere clean and practical, this will do just fine!
Stanford Hillview - © EASYVOYAGE
Stanford Hillview - © EASYVOYAGE
The Stanford Hillview is located in a small and very steep dead-end street, up above Tsim Sha Tsui East (the city's most popular tourist district).You might also be pleased to know that it is just adjacent to Knutsford Terrace, a narrow side street which is popular - especially at night - for its numerous restaurants and cafes that serve food from all over the world.
The hotel is about 45 minutes from Hong Kong International Airport, but beware of traffic jams, which can easily add half an hour to your journey.
The 177 small guest rooms at the Stanford Hillview consist of standard (around 215 sq ft), deluxe and triple rooms and suites, which are of course the largest rooms in the hotel as they have an additional area with a sofa. It may be worth noting that the (albeit) rather large windows often overlook the neighbouring buildings, meaning that not much natural light gets through. Inside the bare and rather charmless rooms you will find blue carpeted floors, two chairs, a table, a comfortable bed and a desk, whilst amenities include a minibar with tea and coffee-making facilities, a mirror and a television. Only 14 of the rooms have air-conditioning and only the Deluxe rooms have safes. DVD-players are also available to rent. The triple rooms are disappointing because the third person has to sleep wedged between the wall and the double bed, whilst the rather outdated and quite cramped bathrooms are clean and have low bathtubs, a hair-dryer and soap and shampoo dispensers. Room service is available 24-hours a day.
The imposing tower block that is the Stanford Hillview was built in 1993 and houses 177 guest rooms. Whether you take the steps or the lift up to the entrance, you will arrive in a small, long reception area with green marble flooring and grey-white marble walls, with a small business centre to the far right of the lobby, complete with a desk, a computer and a printer. The gym at the hotel is quite simply tiny and consists of no more than four machines and two televisions. Three floors above (though there is no lift to take you up to the rooftop!) you will find a small terrace divided into two very different sections, the first is furnished with wrought-iron chairs laid out on synthetic grass, the second consists of a large net where you can work on perfecting your swing. It is worth remembering though that it takes a good half an hour for the golf equipment to be prepared, and if you don't intend to play, you're better off forgetting about the terrace and going off to see some of the beautiful sights of the city!
You will soon notice the adjacent restaurant and café as you enter the reception area. The café offers you the choice of sitting at the bar with a drink or taking a table, and you can be served on either side of the bar. Part of this area is set aside for a live group which plays English and Chinese music, and although the decor is far from spectacular, the large bay windows in both parts and the comfortable seating are definitely a bonus. The menu here consists of a modest variety of international dishes and seven Asian dishes, whilst the restaurant serves up very carefully prepared buffets, with a theme night once a month. Breakfast is served from 7:00 am to 10:00 am, lunch from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and dinner from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm, but light meals are served until 1:00 am.
If you don't fancy taking the steps up to the hotel entrance, pass via the garage (just in front, to the left) and take the lift!
All the guest rooms should normally have been renovated at the end of March 2009. The guest rooms on five of the floors are smoking rooms, and the hotel has two guest rooms with disabled access.Wi-Fi Internet connection is available throughout the hotel.
The hotel provides four different shuttle services to take guests to the Stanford hotel in Mongkok (next to the Lady's Market), the Star Ferry terminal, the railway station, where you can catch a train to the airport, and the Hung Hom underground station.
beauty salon, sauna, keep fit, spa, Turkish bath
tennis, gym, horse riding, golf, fitness, sports
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