DESIGN
A harbor-facing corner suite living room
show means these “ private apartments ” are growing into a favorite feature . Brugger says that rather than the conventional logic of tempting guests into revenue-generating public areas , Rosewood wanted them to spend more time in their rooms and experience the brand ’ s trademarked philosophy , “ A Sense of Place ”. Higher-than-anticipated room-service orders took his team by surprise when the hotel opened .
That ’ s not to say the other areas aren ’ t popular . For the Manor Club , the team “ took the ‘ executive ’ out of the Executive Club ,” says Brugger . “ It feels like a private club that flows from inside to outdoor terraces with the building ’ s best views .”
Chinese tea house Holt ’ s Café contemporizes traditional Hong Kong comfort food ; the Legacy House serves family favorites from Shunde , the birthplace of Sonia Cheng ’ s father and grandfather ; and DarkSide , an insider nickname for Kowloon , is a moody speakeasy featuring a rotating Murano glass installation . The Butterfly Patisserie is modeled after a jewelry boutique , while all-day lounge the Butterfly Room displays works by Damien Hirst .
ART-FORWARD Art features prominently throughout the hotel . A 15-foot-long Henry Moore bronze greets guests at the entrance and , at night , glows thanks to illumination emulating moonlight . In the lobby , Bharti Kher ’ s lifesized elephant sculpture covered in white bindis has become an Instagram star – although Brugger says no parts of the hotel were planned with that in mind .
Chi says Rosewood ’ s clientele are “ super intellectually wealthy , with a great sense of consciousness and self-awareness .” For each project , his challenge is to control tempo and rhythm . “ I ’ m writing a composition and conducting a harmonic symphony ,” he says .
While specifics remain under wraps , four additional F & B venues will soon debut , says Brugger , guided by Rosewood ’ s tactic to attract the locals initially so guests will naturally follow . As well , the first urban location of Asaya , Rosewood ’ s new wellness brand , opens in autumn , which Chi describes as being about “ the deep connection between body and mind .”
Limestone , sandstone , black walnut and bronze – the Rosewood Kong Kong ’ s materials will develop natural patinas as they age . And indeed , Chi ’ s interiors teach fitting lessons for a destination built to celebrate the Cheng family ’ s legacy , a hotel designed to tell many stories in the future .
42 hotelsmag . com July / August 2019