"I could come here every day for the rest of my life." After my friend uttered those now-famous words as the Worst Cover Band Ever butchered classic after classic in the Newton Hotel’s Sangria Lounge, I knew we had found the best accommodation for our visit to Hong Kong. I love the Newton!
This classy little joint is located towards the eastern end of HK Island, which was great because it allowed us to retreat each night to an area generally bereft of tourists. It’s also close to the MTR, not to mention a local bakery that serves up the tastiest sweet rolls, coconut rolls, etc., for a mere HK$2. As the smiling bellboys open the front doors of the Newton and nervously usher you in, don’t be fooled into thinking your wallet is about to take a hit because of the main lobby’s grand appearance. Marble floors, mandarin orange trees, and a delicately hung chandelier create a feeling of elegance, yet the prices here are fantastic. I booked my stay through a package deal, but still, the price of HK$688 for two, including breakfast, is very reasonable.
Our 10th-floor room looked out on Victoria Harbor, which was invigorating to wake up to each morning. We got a kick out of the panel lighting control by one of the beds, which allows you to set the mood at the touch of a button. Our favorite lighting choice was "art," which would solely illuminate the incredibly deep piece of work that hung on the main wall across from the beds (when I say "incredibly deep," I mean "incredibly generic"). The bathroom was way high-tech—a mirror internally heated to prevent fogging, and a clothesline could be stretched from one end of the shower to another for drying clothes. Don’t forget to throw used towels in the tub if you want them replaced.
Speaking of replacing your towels, the maid service here rocks! We had a package of Japanese grape gummies with only one remaining in the box, and all the trash around it was thrown out, but the one gummy was left. We also left an opened book face down on the bed, and returned to find that the maid had picked it up, made the beds, and then placed it back on the same page. Are you kidding!?
Most memorable of all was the night we spent in the Sangria Lounge, located on the second floor. Bandleader Billy led a ragtag trio through rousing covers of "Stand by Me" and other American classics, including a version of "Hotel California" that somehow ended up with a reggae vibe to it. What a hilariously cheesy, perfect band for the Sangria Lounge. Billy, you’re a star!
How could I forget the rooftop pool with awesome views of the city (closed for renovations on our visit), or the sauna? Or the confusing breakfast ordeal, or the cute, helpful front-desk girl. . .I could go on and on. Just book it!