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Private seating at the Legacy
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Some things are worth the wait . More than seven years in the making , the Rosewood Hong Kong opened on March 17 — the brand ’ s 26th hotel and the jewel in crown of the Cheng family , owner of New World Development , which holds Rosewood Hotels and Resorts ’ portfolio .
Located at Holt ’ s Wharf along the furthermost tip of the Kowloon Peninsula ’ s Victoria Harbor cultural district , the newbuild flagship is particularly meaningful to Rosewood Hotels Group CEO Sonia Cheng : That ’ s where , in the 1980s , her grandfather Cheng Yu-tung and her father , Henry Cheng , developed New World Centre .
Comprising a shopping mall , offices , a hotel and apartments – one of which was Sonia Cheng ’ s childhood home – the complex symbolized Hong Kong ’ s rise as a modern powerhouse . The area ’ s popularity faded over the years , but with its recent transformation into an arts hub , the Rosewood Hong Kong is a harbinger of the neighborhood ’ s resurgence .
Architect Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates , New York , and interior designer Tonychi Studio , New York , designed the hotel . Spanning the top 43 levels of a 65-story skyscraper , its orientation captures the panoramic skyline . Most of the 413 guest rooms and suites have harbor views , says Rosewood Hong Kong Managing Director Marc Brugger .
‘ VERTICAL ESTATE ’ “ Sonia and her father shared long discussions about designing a ‘ vertical estate ’,” Brugger says . The concept embraces the feel of a substantial family manor . A grand driveway with lush greenery leads cars to the private waterside entrance . It forms a tranquil escape from the bustle and traffic .
“ In terms of maximizing use of space , it ’ s not rational real estate-thinking ,” Brugger says . “ It ’ s much more visionary , the right thing to do from the guest perspective .”
To interior designer Tony Chi , the hotel is a “ country house in the city ” with connections to nature . “ With gardens you can have a love story , a sorrowful story , a celebration ,” Chi says .
Spaciousness , calm and a feeling of residential comfort extend into the 322 guest rooms measuring 570 square feet and the 91 suites ranging from 1130 to 1873 square feet . Jaw-dropping views of the harbor , sunrises and sunsets , and Hong Kong ’ s nightly laser
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