Finding the right hotel for the right price and the right location is always the most difficult thing to do when planning a trip.When we searched for a hotel we wanted one not too far from the action and at a reasonable price.

We selected Hotel ICON on the Kowloon side. It’s a sleek and modern unique hotel where it also serves as a training centre for tourism management for the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The trip advisor reviews were great and spot on.

We experienced a high level of service that gave five star hotels a run for their money. No doubt because many are in training and want to absolutely give you their best.

We had booked their airport pickup service with a ride in a Tesla. About $650.00HKD ($83USD) it was more expensive than a taxi or taking a shuttle bus or the MTR (metro), but it was worth the pleasant experience having someone meet us at the airport, and taking us directly to the hotel without any stops. Riding in a Tesla is a thrill especially when shown the quick acceleration or being wowed by the giant interactive screen and not too mention some of the self-driving capabilities.

Arriving at the hotel we were met by Kevin who personally accompanied us to our room to do the checkin while our luggage was looked after.

The room we had selected was with a harbour view so that we could see the Hong Kong skyline especially at night.

A pleasant surprise was that everything in the mini-bar was free. Yes, that is not a typo. Beer, water, pop, juices and snacks are replenished everyday. The door to the bathroom was a curved wall that swung closed. The shower was shaped like a flower petal with open curved glass and curved ceramic floor surrounded by a channel to drain the water. Very unique and zen like.

The room rate included breakfast in the Market restaurant. In all through our travels we had never seen such an abundance for a buffet. Fresh squeezed juice bar where they will prepare your vegetable juice or fruit juice, a dim sum and soup area where you select your ingredients and it is mixed in your soup, the traditional American style breakfast where a chef will prepare your omelet with your favourite fixings, to the cereals, fruit salad bar and not to mention the bakery area where a variety of breads and fresh bakery items are offered. In the afternoon and evenings it seemed even better if it is possible as there is sushi and sashimi, seafood etc… we didn’t have a chance to try it but would suggest it.

We did reserve and have dinner at their Above and Beyond restaurant on the top floor. The view of the harbour is incredible. Though dinner was a bit pricey ($..), the Peking duck which they carve at your table was delicious and as well the Chinese white and red wine that we decided to try. The service is attentive and pleasant.

The pool area on the 9th floor offers and indoor and outdoor areas. The indoors contains the bar, large flat screen for gaming if you wish and nice sofas to relax in taking in the view from the floor to ceiling glass walls. Through the glass doors and you are outside to the pool where you can sit and relax in comfortable lounge chairs or oval loungers absorbing the Hong Kong skyline and having a nice gin and tonic though beware the drinks prices are also a tad pricey($20-25). For those who like to exercise, the gym faces the pool through a glass wall so you too will have a great view as you exercise. The change room area is very high class with showers that offer walled jets massage. Though we didn’t have a chance to try their spa facilities, you can find it also on the same floor.

Green on the lobby level is a cafe in the morning and afternoon that offers a tea in the afternoon with petit–fours. A great deal is a two for one drink from 5-7 when it changes into a brasserie where you can relax and look at one of Asia’s largest living vertical plant wall overlooking the bar.

Another perk is the use of their shuttle that makes two stops near the Peninsula Hotel and One Peking Square. Both are ideally located near the Tsim Sui Tsa MTR stops. It saves you about a 20 minute walk. The shuttles runs about every 20 minutes until 10 each night where you can hop back on board after your long day walking.

We would highly recommend the ICON for anyone visiting Hong Kong.