Ritz Carlton Hong Kong – Amazing Presidential Suite & Fantastic Afternoon Tea at Café 103

Ritz Carlton Hong Kong, relocated and opened in March 2011, is located on the top of Hong Kong’s tallest building (on floors 102 to 118) of the International Commerce Centre (ICC), with 484 meters or 1588 feet of the 7th tallest building in the world and the highest skyscraper in Hong Kong. If you don’t suffer from vertigo, it offers a stupendous panorama of Hong Kong island, Kowloon, the loops and swerves of Victoria Harbour that separates the two and the mountains that coddle both. You won’t see as astonishing a vista as this anywhere else in Hong Kong.

There are 312 guest rooms and suites come in 13 categories and all feature spacious, contemporary interiors of this hotel. Since we’re in Hong Kong, we’ve rolled in style at the presidential suite called The Ritz-Carlton Suite.

This enormous 4,460 square feet (415 square meters) room can easily fit in a family or two. When you open the doors, you see the literal breathtaking view of Hong Kong and the beautiful dining area. Words can’t describe the sophisticated magnificence of this spacious suite. From its dramatic chandelier majestically hovering over a dark wood dining table at the entrance of the suite, a 600-thread count king bed surrounded by mother of pearl walls. The clean-lined chocolate, cream, gold, and touches of aqua blue furnishings in the 312 rooms keep the focus on the views, which you can observe from between 600-thread count sheets or through complimentary telescopes.
The en suite marble bathroom (it can easily be the size of a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan) with a 32 inch flat screen LCD television, Kohler shower enclosure and a Whirlpool complemented with Acqua di Parma bath amenities.
The gadgets continue in the Ritz-Carlton suite with a 55-inch LED television, state-of-the-art Bang and Olfusen iPod dock and the Harmon Kardon home theater system. You can work in the (substantial) mini-office within the suite features a full desk with an iMac, wireless Internet access, private fax machine and scanner, dedicated phone lines and four individual flat-screen TVs set in the wall. A separate kitchenette and connecting rooms makes the suite a popular choice for politicians and large delegations. A private butler is also available to facilitate your every need, from arranging your personal shopper to drawing the perfect bath in your in-room sauna.

Even though I could easily be cooped up in the amazing suite, I needed to get out.

Ozone is the world’s tallest bar, a curved length of a room in an energetic patchwork of gilded wood, leather and marble serving cocktails, Japanese cuisine, and Asian tapas.

The Veuve Clicquot Sunset Lounge is arguably the best place in the city for a sunset cocktail up in the clouds.

A well-kept secret, the Veuve Clicquot Sunset lounge is an open-air sanctuary in the sky fanned by a refreshing breeze and decked with private cabanas perfectly placed to catch spectacular views of the sunset over Hong Kong. The breathtaking panorama offers sweeping 180 degree views of West Hong Kong including the Stonecutters Bridge and islands further afield. In this exclusive spot, guests can kick back and relax while enjoying a taste of newly launched Veuve Clicquot Rich, the first champagne created specifically for mixology, paired with a tempting selection of the Ritz-Carlton’s signature tapas, complete with the finest service. (There’s a private cabana package if you choose to linger.)

Afternoon tea at Café 103

One of the days we’re there, we had afternoon tea at Café 103. This spot is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike for tea primarily for the stunning views and because Pierre Hermé partnered with Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong to serve their macarons. (Side note, there is a Pierre Hermé boutique down at the hotel’s main lobby.)

Though you are here for the sights, you will certainly stay for the food and teas.

We had ordered our various pots of delicious tea and tiers of food to feed the four of us. And it was truly a stunner.

On the savory spectrum, there were fresh made tea sandwiches: indulgent black sesame duck foie gras and lemon (the yellow sandwich), delectable caper cream cheese sandwich wrapped with thin slices of Scottish smoked salmon, and what feels like a healthy rosemary and cheese with arugula due to the brown, wholesome, dense waldkorn bread.

The mini antipasti quiche was nicely crisp and slightly unusual (in a good way) from the norm afternoon tea. Nice, crisp-yet-crumbly crust filled with thick tomato sauce and red bell peppers.

On the sweet end, there were luscious apple chestnut pavé that was incredibly nutty and creamy. Decadent lemon cream tart with a dark chocolate disc.

The small glasses of mango passion fruit chocolate verrine were rich yet vibrant from the mango pastry cream and diced fresh mango. The lime yogurt macarons from Pierre Hermé is always phenomenal (and in current season when we had it). Fresh baked scones were certainly the best I’ve had in Hong Kong; not too dense and flaky.

The only disappointing thing from this entire tier vanilla rum glazed canelés. The casing of thick vanilla glaze softened and too sweet. Otherwise, it would have been a perfect canelé. It did have the desired thick, dark caramelized crust and soft, almost creamy center.

In regards to this tea, service was very professional and friendly. The food was overall delicious and tea was great. (It certainly blows almost all hotel afternoon teas I’ve had in NYC.) The views are unparalleled to any other place in Hong Kong.

To view more photos of this visit, please view the photo set or the gallery below:

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Information:
Ritz Carlton Hong Kong
Website
International Commerce Centre (ICC)
1 Austin Rd W
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Phone: +852 2263 2263
Map