There’s No Topping Hong Kong’s The Higher Home

The Higher Home isn’t simply one other high-end resort on Hong Kong Island. Dreamt up by lauded Hong Kong-born inside architect André Fu, it rises above the remainder — actually. As you may count on from its identify, the serene and smooth oasis occupies the uppermost flooring of a cloud-piercing skyscraper in Admiralty district, the place it sits atop one other five-star property. Inside The Higher Home, there’s no over-the-top, noisy foyer with chandeliers and dramatic flower preparations. It doesn’t home an award-winning spa or rooftop infinity pool. You gained’t discover cranky resort visitors impatiently ready in line at cumbersome reception desks, hoping their rooms are prepared after a dizzying day of journey and crossing just a few time zones. 

Perched above the glitzy Pacific Place procuring advanced, visitors of The Higher Home step right into a mesmeric glass field foyer on Stage 4, evocative of Philip Johnson’s “The Glass Home.” All of the sudden the frenetic metropolis feels so distant. Awaiting your arrival is a smiling, fashionable employees who warmly welcome then escort you to your room for a paperless check-in. However the unrushed, upward journey is simply as spectacular because the vacation spot. And that journey begins with a soul-soothing escalator journey that easily glides you thru a torii gate-inspired tunnel illuminated in a golden glow. This transcendent transportation feels nothing just like the severely lit, always-packed and generally alarmingly speedy escalators at MTR stations all around the metropolis. And whereas torii gates often mark the doorway to Shinto shrines, you’re about to set foot right into a hushed world that overflows with infinite serenity. 

Because the escalator releases you onto the brilliant and ethereal Stage 6, you’ll discover the resort’s seductively soothing ginger and verbena signature scent. For extra aromatherapy, cease by Stage 6’s The Garden, a pocket of lush, aromatic greenery, comfortable seating and arresting sculptures, the place visitors sip coffees and stretch in baby’s pose upon yoga mats by day, and cocktail-clutching fashionistas mingle beneath lit-up high-rises at evening. I made a psychological observe to frequent the stylish secret backyard all through my keep (it’s the one on-site spot the place you possibly can get pleasure from a secret cigarette), however attending to my room ASAP was the precedence. There was a whole lot of Instagramming, errr, unpacking to do! 

However, not so quick. The gleaming elevate foyer, graced with a duo of flying saucer-shaped brass sculptures by Hong Kong artist Man Fung-yi, jogged my memory to settle down, be current and benefit from the journey. Apart from, there aren’t any “shut door” buttons to poke, nor will you expertise loud music or mirror selfie alternatives contained in the shadowy elevate. As an alternative, a meditative soundtrack softly echoes, and an equally meditative ceramic piece by Fung-yi adorns the elevate’s wall. 

Greater than 400 items of serenity-emitting unique art work are thoughtfully displayed all through the property. Cease by the beautiful Guggenheim-like atrium on Stage 38. It affords an unforgettable sight: Japanese artist Hirotoshi Sawada’s multi-story chrome steel wall sculpture, “Rise,” which does precisely what its identify implies. It rises above a rippling pool of water, climbing the atrium’s white partitions like an enchanted beanstalk, as much as the heavenly skylight. For those who click on on the placement tag for The Higher Home on Instagram, you’ll see that this serene stunner is sort of preferred.

Talking of serene stunners, let’s (lastly!) speak in regards to the 117 visitor rooms. Housed on Ranges 43 by means of 48, the entire sky-high, apartment-like lodging — together with studios, suites and penthouses — are breathtakingly spacious. Even the studios, which occur to be the biggest within the “normal room” class in Hong Kong, make notably good staycations for residents of the tightly compact metropolis. Minimalist and oozing understated opulence, that is the kind of home-away-from-home you’ll dream of creating your everlasting residence. Different consistencies throughout the choices embody luscious beds paired with cloud-like comforters and pillows, an impressively stocked “maxi bar” the place every thing (apart from wine and spirits) is complimentary, a elaborate faucet that gives filtered consuming water, an espresso machine, a number of espresso desk books on artwork and design, and 300-square-foot bogs that includes pure limestone flooring and partitions, double vanities, many mirrors, a brass dealt with rest room and sustainable bathtub merchandise from Bamford. 

Ascend just a few limestone steps and enter the showering space. Glowing in atmospheric amber-hued lighting and surrounded by floor-to-ceiling home windows, it’s a spa-like sanctuary amidst the clouds. Then there’s the show-stopping centerpiece, a freestanding limestone bathtub, which is spectacularly deep and match for a leggy supermodel or two. Simply the sight of its grandness might flip a showers-only fan into an on the spot bathtub individual. That’s till they spot the walk-in, open rain bathe. 

The wow issue doesn’t cease there. Rooms additionally include bucket list-worthy views of Victoria Harbour or Victoria Peak through lofty home windows, which I assume are closely soundproofed as a result of the town’s piercing symphony of building drills and dinging trams felt one million miles away. The panoramas are every thing, and in my 1,230-square-foot Higher Suite on the forty sixth ground, they have been all over the place — from the bed room’s matcha inexperienced cushioned window seats to the luxurious lounge’s humongous pale grey L-shaped lounger. But it surely’s The Peak’s huge greenery, admired finest when soaking in that wonderful bathtub, which may make you imagine you’re immersed in a steamy onsen someplace surreal and mountainous in Japan. Necessary tip: for those who’re not fascinated with all of Hong Kong getting a peek, make sure to use the remote-controlled blinds at evening. (You’re protected from the sight of others throughout daylight, so go on and disrobe sans blinds.) 

From the hibernation-friendly chambers to that out-of-this-world tub, good luck pulling your self away out of your slice of paradise. However you’d be lacking out as a result of The Higher Home unsurprisingly is dwelling to Hong Kong’s hottest hotspot, Salisterra, 49 tales up within the sky. The awe issue hits the second you stumble onto the Sky Bridge, the candle-lined walkway overlooking the atrium and illuminated by the skylight that guides you into the restaurant. Anticipate to look at as designer-clad Hong Kong socialites and influencers strut down the Sky Bridge prefer it’s a vogue week catwalk. (Okay, which may’ve simply been me after just a few additional Soiled Martinis.) 

The inside of the perpetually buzzy restaurant embodies a hip Mediterranean bistro, from the plush seating in Mediterranean coastal-inspired tones like terracotta orange, burgundy and dusty turquoise, to the cocktails, such because the Mediterranean Smash (basil-infused gin, Italicus and lemon). The all-day restaurant, whose identify means “salt of the earth” in Latin, is an particularly well-liked spot for afternoon tea, the place reservations are really helpful. For dinner, reservations are important. Salisterra is the beating pulse of the resort. It’s the place to see astonishing chook’s eye Victoria Harbour views, plus Hong Kong’s finest dressed. And generally, you simply may spot an in-town movie star, particularly throughout Artwork Basel. Fortunately, the menu, helmed by Govt Chef Cary Docherty, is simply as scrumptious because the restaurant’s feel-fabulous vibes. It contains a vary of dishes impressed by the coastal areas of France, Italy and Spain, together with vitello tonnato, seafood risotto, bouillabaisse and bake-to-order (see additionally: must-order) madeleines with lavender cream. 

There’s no must hit the city after dinner. Seize a drink on the restaurant’s bar, then make your strategy to the rear of the bar the place you’ll discover Inexperienced Room, an intimate, glamorous consuming den that appears like a peacock inexperienced capturing location from an unreleased Wes Anderson flick. Inquire in regards to the occasion calendar as a result of the vigorous cocktail lounge typically performs host to nights that includes comedians and drag queens. Additionally take a look at the calendar for Up Shut, the resort’s signature occasions sequence and the most popular ticket on the town for intimate talks with cultural tastemakers, artists, entrepreneurs and the revolutionary like. The sought-after occasions takes place by an expansive hearth within the Sky Lounge, situated on the other finish of the Sky Bridge, the place earlier visitors have included everybody from Dr. Jane Goodall to Christian Louboutin. 

Since opening in 2009 by Asia’s hottest resort group, Swire Resorts, The Higher Home has established itself as some of the stylishly tranquil accommodations in not simply Hong Kong, however the world. Want extra proof? Simply this month, it was rewarded with the #4 place on the World’s 50 Finest Resorts checklist. Throughout my two-night keep, Hong Kong was hit with record-breaking rainfall. However even an apocalyptic vista from my suite couldn’t disturb my peace. (My 16-hour, fully-booked return flight alternatively…) 

I’m again in my no-frills New York Metropolis house, the place I’ve closed my Amazon-purchased curtains till additional discover because of jet lag and staycation-is-over-induced situational melancholy. When issues get darkish, I could or might not shut my eyes and provides my shoebox-sized house a beneficiant spritz from my bottle of The Higher Home’s signature scent. It’s a citrusy, multi-sensory reminder that house is certainly the place the guts is. Sadly, I left mine someplace on an expensive limestone ground 8,000-plus miles away.