You won’t know where to look at central Kowloon’s Rosewood Hong Kong. You could gaze out at the glittering harbour, glimpsed from 80 per cent of the spacious rooms. Or you could admire the extensive contemporary art collection sprinkled from the entrance to the restaurants, spanning sculpture, paintings and photography. Our advice? Take in the expansive view from the hotel’s incredible rooftop infinity pool, where the city and Victoria Harbour seem to merge into the sky.

Earn yourself a lifetime’s worth of parental bonus points by booking the family into Hong Kong Island’s The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel. The best part about this kid-friendly heaven – which is the neighbour to Ocean Park Hong Kong and Water World Ocean Park – is how luxurious it is for adults. Not only do rooms boast ocean views, pillow menus and Balmain bathroom amenities (for a start), the incredible on-site wellness area is a parent’s idea of a theme park, with indulgent body treatments performed in soothing spaces that overlook the South China Sea.

Towering over an energetic corner of Kowloon, the Regent Hotel Hong Kong has long been in the business of luxury – and we’re not just referring to sprawling views of the harbour that stretch panoramically across the windows of almost every room. This Regent outpost also offers guests an unrivalled dining experience, with two-Michelin-starred eatery Lai Ching Heen as well as the award-winning Qura lounge bar on the premises.

The self-described “curated mansion” of Wan Chai’s St. Regis Hong Kong is a moody and glamorous vision of a contemporary hotel. This slick property is a playground for those who like to orbit near their stay: there are two Michelin-starred restaurants, an elegant afternoon tea service taken under the soaring ceilings of The Drawing Room lounge and a tranquil spa with treatments from sculpting facials to bamboo-assisted massages.

This centrally located property has spent the better part of 90 years perfecting the art of hospitality. The result? Pure indulgence. Beautiful "standards" (that aren’t standards at all) are part and parcel – marble bathrooms, cloud-like beds and views for miles – but this five-star property also takes luxury up a few notches with a palatial heated pool overlooking the hazy city skyline and on-site spa with hammam steam rooms, saunas and aromatherapy showers.

Can eight Michelin stars fit under one roof? Central’s Four Seasons Hong Kong proves it’s possible, with an incredible on-site dining scene that rivals entire cities, spanning French, Cantonese and Japanese cuisines (and beyond). The crowning glory of this waterfront hotel is certainly Lung King Heen, a Chinese restaurant awarded a two-star Michelin rating.

An understated luxury permeates The Upper House, wedged between the districts of Central and Wan Chai. Clever, contemporary design stretches to every edge of the property, aimed at giving guests a stay with a more residential feel. That attitude extends to The Upper House’s seamless hospitality – check-in is completed from the comfort of your room to maximise relaxation and mini-bars are fully stocked and complimentary (ideal for business travellers deep in work mode). Who knew you could feel so at home in Hong Kong?

The cloud-like rooms of Admiralty’s The Island Shangri-La Hong Kong seem to float above the city, with panoramic vistas of skyscrapers through enormous picture windows. In the suites, you'll find in-room pantries, day beds and pillow menus, ensuring comfort no matter the motivation for your stay. If you do venture out from your little haven, you won’t be disappointed: the hotel has a generous outdoor pool, perfect for cooling off on balmy Hong Kong days.

A self-described "urban retreat", the famed Mandarin Oriental offering near Central – a zippy 200 metres from the area’s MTR station – is as glitzy and upmarket as you’d expect from a five-star hotel bearing this reputable name. It’s the type of stay that caters to you: Pilates reformer and yoga classes for the wellness traveller, five on-site dining options with a bunker-like bar for lovers of fine-dining and drinking, plus suites with round soaking tubs and walk-in robes for the guest who just wants to hunker down and enjoy their surrounds.

There’s a palpable flair to the W Hong Kong. It could be the shimmering entrance area tiled in glittering gold tiling or the colourful rooms furnished with modern furniture in pops of red or jade green. It might even be down to WOOBAR, with its extensive windows that frame the city. Then again, we’re pretty certain it’s the rooftop pool offset by a mural of in-flight butterflies. 

First impressions count and Tsim Sha Tsui’s Hotel ICON knows it. Before you’ve even plonked onto your plush king bed, the public spaces of this thoroughly modern hotel are already subtly lulling you into a relaxed state. Lush vertical gardens creep impressively up walls and an eco-friendly ethos extends right down to the electric transportation on offer, while the on-site Angsana Spa expertly coaxes soreness out of tired muscles. The crowning glory is, of course, the rooftop pool, which reflects the city’s twinkle in its waters.

Boasting just 10 suites, you won’t have to share FWD House 1881’s beauty with many others. Thankfully so, considering the feeling of intimacy that permeates the grand rooms in this eclectic homestead-fashioned property – one of the four oldest surviving government buildings in the city. Balconies with Victoria Harbour views, extensive pillow menus and spacious suites with multiple living areas give this homey property a distinctly luxurious touch.

A former government office building, newly established The Murray bridges the gap between the historic and the new with stunning balance. The building itself dates back to 1969, colouring your stay with a vintage wash, but the interiors are decidedly modern. Steel-framed bathroom doors finish the slick feel and there’s a profusion of contemporary art in the public spaces.

A Guide to Hong Kong's Coolest Neighbourhoods