PHOTO: Courtesy of Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s hotel scene is booming, thanks to ever-increasing numbers of visitors drawn in by the city’s nonstop dining, shopping, and cultural events, like the annual Art Basel, International Film Festival, and Wine & Dine Festival. Separated by Victoria Harbour, both sides of this visually stunning, electrifying Asian metropolis—Kowloon to the north, Hong Kong Island to the south—have seen impressive numbers of new and extensively renovated hotels this past year, including a bevy of budget-friendly boutique properties. We’ve rounded up a variety of properties, many of which have already snagged industry awards. Here are Hong Kong’s 10 best new and renovated hotels.

by Lawrence Ferber

PHOTO: Andrew J Loiterton/InterContinental Hotels Group

Opened during spring 2013, the Wan Chai district’s 138-room Indigo, part of InterContinental’s boutique arm, has garnered a 2013 Asia Pacific Property Award for Best Hotel Architecture and countless passersby do a double take upon passing the glass-bottomed rooftop pool that juts out overhead. Rooms, filled with work by local artists, include complimentary Wi-Fi, while the rooftop pool demands a visit.

Insider Tip: Take note of the building’s exterior pattern, which is meant to resemble a wraparound dragon.

PHOTO: Courtesy of The Peninsula Hong Kong

A luxurious, Colonial-era grande dame smack dab in Kowloon’s Tsim Tsa Tsui district, the 86-year-old Peninsula added another chapter to its storied history—its third floor served as Japanese headquarters during part of WWII—by unveiling a $58-million, tech-forward, contemporary overhaul in 2013. Rooms and suites, dominated by cool creamy tones, dark woods, and minimalist graphics, now feature tricked-out media centers with Blu-ray players and complimentary movies; touchscreen tablets controlling everything from lighting to room service orders; universal power outlets and converters; and wireless phones with free VoIP international calling.

Insider Tip: The Peninsula’s daily afternoon tea, replete with raisin scones and a live chamber orchestra on the lobby balcony, remains a quintessentially classy Hong Kong experience.

PHOTO: Marcel Lam Photography

Situated just steps from hip Star Street and the posh Pacific Place shopping center, Ozo Wesley took over the site of a former Admiralty district property, the Wesley, in September 2013. The 251 cleanly designed rooms in cool, neutral tones—a graphic of Hong Kong Island decorates one wall—make smart use of their modest square footage with cute, utilitarian details including headboards with pull-down trays for snacking in bed, free coffee and tea, and a small mini-fridge. Guests also receive a 40% dinner discount at the in-house, upscale dim sum venue Zaan.

Insider Tip: The block across the street is being developed into a hip, Soho-esque strip, scheduled for completion by 2016.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Miramar Hotel and Investment Company

Kid sister to Kowloon’s glam and clubby Mira, the 91-room Mira Moon straddles Hong Kong Island’s Wan Chai and bustling Causeway Bay districts. Opened in late 2013 with a theme dedicated to the mythical story of China’s Moon Festival, the hotel was designed by Marcel Wanders with a nod to traditional Chinese iconography blended with chic, colorful, and whimsical contemporary art. Winged flying pigs suspend lamps over the lobby’s check-in desk, while stunning textures and eye-popping graphics inform every crevice.

Insider Tip: In-house restaurant Super Giant serves up Guillermo Delavault’s imaginative Cantonese-Spanish fusion tapas creations, like Typhoon Shelter garlic frog legs and a Chinese waffle with Serrano ham.

PHOTO: Graham Uden/Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel

Part of Kowloon’s sprawling Harbour City shopping complex, this 400-room 1980s property received a thorough renovation between 2012 and September 2013. The Gateway, Hong Kong now boasts a fresh contemporary palate, dominated by greys, purples, and pale wood, while rooms include Nespresso machines, free Wi-Fi, and bedside power outlets.

Insider Tip: Harbour City is a goldmine for French macaron fans, with offerings from agnes b., Fauchon, Paul Lafayet, Pierre Hermé, Jean-Paul Hevin, and Laduree.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Hotel Pennington by Rhombus

Bustling entertainment district Causeway Bay is home to Hong Kong’s first design boutique hotel, the 10-year-old JIA (now known as J Plus). The budget-friendly Pennington (rooms start at $140) joined the party in November 2013. The room design calls to mind Portland, Oregon as seen through 2001: A Space Odyssey—woodsy, yet retro-futuristic with rounded edges and glowing accents—and gizmo-friendly amenities and details (USB and traditional power outlets, Wi-Fi, LAN) have already helped snag several hotel awards.

Insider Tip: One of Hong Kong’s newest shopping centers, Hysan Place, is nearby; check out its multi-level flagship of Taiwan’s incredible Eslite Bookstore and slurp-worthy, Michelin-starred wonton noodle spot, Ho Hung Kee.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong

Rich with greenery, hiking trails, and beaches, Discovery Bay on Lantau Island, accessible by MTR or 24-hour ferry, became home to a 325-room resort property in early 2013. Oceanic colors and dominate the Auberge Discovery Bay, while rooms boast sweeping floor-to-ceiling views of the ocean or mountains. Sound romantic? That’s what they’re hoping: Auberge snagged the 2013 Bridal Award for Best New Hotel Wedding Banquet and Darizi’s Most Romantic Wedding Venue Award for its facilities and services, including a stunning, glass-enclosed chapel, spa, and horse-drawn carriage rides.

Insider Tip: Urban Hong Kong isn’t exactly bicycle-friendly, but Auberge can arrange a bike tour along Discovery Bay’s lovely, car-free trails.

PHOTO: Courtesy of pentahotel Hong Kong, Kowloon

Helping to vitalize East Kowloon, which saw the addition of the futuristic, $1 billion-plus Kai Tak cruise terminal last summer, the 32-story, 695-room Pentahotel opened in August 2013. Embracing a “contemporary rustic” design aesthetic, young vibe, and budget traveler-friendly price point (rooms start at $100 for HK and Macau residents, $116 for international visitors), the European chain pays tribute to Hong Kong’s local culture in its lounge’s eatstreet, a 230-seat restaurant that offers street food and Cantonese fare all day.

Insider Tip: Make new friends while taking advantage of Wii and music stations, pool tables, and more in two game rooms and the chain’s signature “pentalounge.”

PHOTO: Courtesy of V Wanchai2

Abacus-inspired lattices decorate the exterior and lobby of the V Wanchai² opened in March 2013, from Hong Kong’s V serviced apartment brand. The 79 budget-friendly rooms ($128 and up), decked out in neutral tones and clean lines, still aim to make one feel at home with amenities like complimentary wi-fi, beverages, and daily snacks and cocktails between 5–8 p.m.

Insider Tips: Some units even have washer and dryer machines.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Ovolo Group Limited

Wong Chuk Hang, an industrial district peppered with small art galleries, creative spaces, indie shops, and tucked-away foodie treasures, is fast becoming Hong Kong’s version of Miami’s Wynwood and NYC’s West Chelsea, and with an MTR (subway) station scheduled to open in 2015, the neighborhood will truly explode. Ovolo Hotels wisely planted a stake early in 2010, converting a warehouse into a slick, ultramodern 162-room property set to open in July 2014 with a rooftop bar, clubby lounge, and event-friendly spaces.

Insider Tip: Ocean Park, Hong Kong’s premiere theme park, is within walking distance of the hotel.

It’s no exaggeration to say The Peninsula Hong Kong counts amongst the world’s most legendary hotels. Opened in 1928, near the southern tip of the Kowloon Peninsula (hence the property’s name), the “Grand Dame of the Far East” (also the flagship property of the Peninsula Hotels group) has been offering guests white-glove service and luxury accommodations for more than eight decades. The oldest hotel in Hong Kong, The Peninsula is a temple of old-world glamour and is the city’s only historical five-star property, managing to stand out despite sharing the vicinity with so many other world-class hotels.

The Peninsula comes with a storied past—the Japanese used the building as their World War II headquarters, for instance—but it doesn’t feel like a dusty relic. Not content to rest on its laurels, the property underwent a two-phase, $58-million renovation (completed in April 2013 to coincide with the hotel’s 85th anniversary) that put cutting-edge technology front and center in the guestrooms, along with a fresh new decor that created a high-end residential feel. As a result, The Peninsula has managed to maintain its unique character without falling out of step with the times.

Whether or not a stay here is part of your plans, a visit to the iconic lobby, with its high ceilings and ornate columns, is in order. Afternoon brings classic high tea service, which locals and tourists queue up for on a daily basis. The hotel’s arcade, home to luxury designer and jewelry shops, also invites lingering. Like many other top-tier properties around the world, the public spaces here are just as important to the hotel’s success as the guestrooms.

Rates: There are five room types, with prices starting at $525/night. There are seven options for suites, with prices starting at $1,015/night.

Rooms: Accommodations are split between the original, low-rise building and a 30-story tower that was added in 1994. In total, there are 300 rooms and suites; depending on their location in the hotel, rooms include views of the front courtyard, the Kowloon cityscape, or, most desirably, Victoria Harbour and the skyscrapers of Hong Kong Island. The smallest rooms measure 441 square feet, a respectable size in a cramped city like Hong Kong, while rooms in higher tiers offer even more space.

Following the renovations, guestrooms feel stylish and open, with a muted color palette of cream, walnut, and dark chocolate. The high ceilings, handsome furnishings, and elegant wall appliqués help to create the feeling of a chic urban apartment rather than a standard hotel room. The bathrooms, on the other hand, still feel decadent with white and green marble and Oscar de la Renta products.

The focus on technology has paid off with a wonderfully high-tech guest experience. Wi-Fi is fast and complimentary, and all calls (local or international) are free, thanks to the sophisticated in-room VoIP phone system. In addition to Samsung Galaxy tablets that allow guests to control assorted room features and place service requests, rooms boast in-wall touchscreen panels that can control lighting and temperature; in the bathroom, these panels also control entertainment options like TV and music. All electrical outlets are now “world” outlets, meaning you won’t need any adapters. Conveniently, a charging dock pops out of the desk, making it easy to juice up all of your devices in one place. In addition, all rooms come equipped with a touchscreen-controlled Nespresso machine, offering complimentary coffee and tea. Perhaps most impressively, every room now sports a 46-inch, 3-D flat-screen television (loaner 3-D glasses and movies can be ordered via the tablets); hi-fi surround-sound system; and Blu-ray.

Drinks & Dining: The Peninsula Hong Kong is home to no fewer than nine restaurants and bars. In addition to all-day dining in the lobby, there is French cuisine at Gaddi’s, modern European at Philippe Starck–designed Felix (pictured below), Swiss classics at Chesa (pictured above), the ever-popular buffet offered in The Verandah, Cantonese dishes and dim sum at Spring Moon, and Japanese food at Imasa. All options are popular, but due to its small size and overwhelming charm, seats at Chesa can be especially difficult to come by. In addition to the restaurants, there’s also a small chef’s table in the hotel’s main kitchen where guests can book small, fully customized dinners with the chef of Gaddi’s.

On the second floor, The Bar offers craft cocktails, rare single malt whiskies, and live piano music in a throwback setting. High on the 28th floor, Felix also offers several bars from which to take in the spectacular views of Victoria Harbour (the men’s room is also notable for its panoramas). Tucked away in the basement is Salon de Ning, a sophisticated lounge that evokes the East-meets-West glamour of 1930s Shanghai and features a nightly lineup of comic and musical performers. In-room dining is also available 24 hours a day.

Health & Fitness: Guests have access to a bright, modern fitness center that features state-of-the-art equipment and an open-air terrace overlooking the harbor. The locker rooms contain a hot whirlpool, cold plunge pool, steam room, and sauna. The Roman-inspired pool, with its intricate columns, friezes, statues, and cornices, is a spectacular place to swim with its floor-to-ceiling windows that look out toward the skyline. In warmer weather, guests can head to the adjacent outdoor sun terrace.

The Peninsula Spa is a popular retreat for both guests and Hong Kong residents, as it offers 12,000 square feet of relaxation space with wonderful views. The treatments offered blend Eastern and Western techniques, and are among the best spa services offered in Hong Kong, a city where wellness is taken seriously.

Etc.: No stay here is complete without a chauffeured ride in one of the hotel’s iconic Rolls Royces, which are painted a signature “Peninsula green.” The hotel’s cars will drive you to and from the airport, as well as other destinations upon request. If you prefer to travel by air, you can arrange a helicopter ride that departs from the rooftop helipad. And if you’re interested in adding unique experiences to your stay, check out the available cultural and lifestyle program offerings from The Peninsula Academy.

Pros: This one-of-a-kind, history-soaked hotel touts state-of-the-art guestrooms, exceptional service, top-notch dining and wellness facilities, incredible views from most rooms, and an ideal location near major attractions.

Cons: Luxury doesn’t come cheap in a city like Hong Kong; plus, in its public spaces at least, guests may feel like the hotel is more of a public attraction than a quiet escape from the city.

If the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan elder statesman oozing colonial-era charm, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental is a young, hip fashionista radiating sophistication. Opened in 2005 in a glitzy shopping center of the same name (the Landmark), this property is nothing short of spectacular, proposing an elegant home-away-from-home right in the center of the bustling Central district. For travelers who might find the old-school service of The Peninsula or MOHK a bit too fussy, The Landmark is an ideal upscale lodging alternative while visiting Hong Kong.

From top to bottom, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental feels like a well-designed luxury apartment building. Located up a small flight of stairs, the perfumed lobby is relatively small and discreet, not a destination in and of itself, as is the case at most of Hong Kong’s marquee hotels. With only 113 rooms and suites, the hotel never feels crowded, and the steady stream of in-the-know locals who come here for the award-winning spa and restaurants also add to the non-touristy ambience. The only thing missing here is a view of Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong skyline (which many other top-tier properties in the city offer), but even that fact lends itself to the feeling that this isn’t just a hotel.

Rates: There are five room types, with rates from $630/night; two suite options start at $1,030/night.

Rooms: The Landmark Mandarin Oriental’s guestrooms are among the largest in Hong Kong, averaging 540 square feet. In fact, at 450 square feet, the standard rooms are already the largest in the city. Adding to the ample square footage is the space-maximizing room design, with the flow of the bathroom, bedroom, and living space feeling connected, yet separate. Views are of an atrium or nearby city buildings, which may not thrill guests looking for a jaw-dropping vista, but that seems like a small concern in a destination where you can take in the skyline from so many other vantage points.

All rooms feature a contemporary color palette and excellent appointments: goose-down bedding by Ploh, Frette bathrobes, multiple HD LCD televisions, Nespresso coffee machines, and high-quality audio systems that are compatible with personal devices. The elegant bathrooms come with rounded bathtubs, rain showers, dual vanities and sinks, and high-end, chemical-free grooming products by Sodashi (higher-tier rooms and suites feature products by Jo Malone).

Drinks & Dining: Located on the ground floor, the two-story MO Bar offers all-day dining and beverage service (including a popular high tea). Occasionally, the space hosts live concerts; past performers have included Alicia Keys, Harry Connick, Jr., and John Legend. For fine dining, two-Michelin-starred Amber serves up modern French cuisine in an airy space; it’s been counted among the world’s 50 best restaurants (on San Pellegrino’s list) several years in a row.

Health & Fitness: Offering a wide range of Eastern- and Western-inspired treatments, The Oriental Spa ranks among the city’s best spas and stands out, in particular, for importing world-class aestheticians and treatments from other countries. The Landmark also offers guests access to an indoor pool, yoga and Pilates facilities, and a high-tech fitness center with a full range of cardio and weight-training equipment.

Etc.: The Landmark Mandarin Oriental is just a short distance from the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, but you can skip the busy streets of Central and travel between the two properties using pedestrian footbridges and shortcuts through the Landmark shopping center.

Pros: Understated, supremely elegant service and accommodations; award-winning facilities and restaurants; a dream location in the middle of Central.

Cons: No views of the harbor or skyline.