Arrival/Check-in: Immediately upon arriving at the opulent Kowloon Shangri-La’s main reception, I was escorted to the 20th floor to check in at the Horizon Club. Along the way, the concierge explained the complimentary privileges for guests on the two club floors: butler service; Internet and wireless access in guestrooms and the Horizon Business Centre, which is always stocked with beverages, chocolates, fruits and cookies; 24-hour access to the 21st floor Horizon Lounge for full breakfasts, sandwiches and dim sum at lunch, snacks and cocktails at the happy hour, and beverages around the clock; fresh morning coffee delivered for the wake-up call; and free pressing for one suit. In my room, I found a welcoming pot of Chinese tea, an assortment of fresh fruit and my bags. (30/30)

Guest Quarters: My 21st-floor room was the quintessential room with a view. You could spend hours gazing out the wide bay window overlooking Victoria Harbour — bustling with ferries, boats and red-sailed junks — to the temples of capitalism in Hong Kong Central. Designed for international business travelers, the room featured a comfortable, king-size bed, a desk fitted with various outlets (including110V), an ergonomic chair, a wide plasma TV, four phones, an iron and board, and thick robes and slippers. The white marble-clad bathroom — with its own TV, soaking tub and glass-enclosed shower — was stocked with L’Occitane amenities, toothbrushes and shavers. (29/30)

Services/Amenities: Stunning for its contemporary décor and harbor view, the Horizon Lounge provides a superb time- and cash-saving bonus with its sumptuous breakfasts and constant array of snacks. But the hotel offers five more dining experiences, including the signature Shang Palace restaurant, which serves Chinese delicacies of fish, seafood, duck and meats. Nadaman offers Japanese cuisine with a wide selection of sake; the Tapas Bar serves international bites and 50 different wines by the glass. Besides its 24-hour fitness facilities — including an indoor pool, gym, whirlpool and sauna — and full-service spa, the hotel offers a harbor-side location that is a boon for joggers. (39/40)

The Experience: Within this 700-room hotel, known for extensive conference facilities, the Horizon Club provides the serene ambience and personal attention of a luxury boutique hotel.

Total Score: (98/100)

KOWLOON SHANGRI-LA

64 Mody Road
Kowloon, Hong Kong
tel 852 2721 2111
http://www.shangri-la.com