Ovolo Southside
In
Hong Kong
After spending just over a year teaching English in the neighbouring Chinese city of Shenzhen, we have become well accustomed to Hong Kong's dazzling , futuristic and sensational cityscape that drapes across the South China Sea. Life on the road has taught us that even given all of the time in the World, there is always a hidden gem waiting to be explored. Our trip in June 2018 took us exactly to some of these spots, starting in the ever evolving South Island with Ovolo Southside.
Located in the cultural hub of Wong Chuk Hang district, Ovolo Southside is Hong Kong's first warehouse converted boutique hotel which stylishly reflects its past with slick steel furniture, exposed industrial fixtures and striking art installations spread throughout the hotels public spaces designed by a mix of local and international artists. This is quite literally, Wong Chuk's ultimate hang out.
No sooner had we checked out the corner room views we decided to take it up a notch further, heading to one of the hotels architectural highlights occupying an expansive, open space roof terrace with panoramic views of the South Island stretching for as far as the eye can see. This was of course accompanied with in-house restaurant, Komune's, signature creative cocktail and the aptly named, Chinese Ink. It was a sight to behold as we lay eyes on a greener, fresher perspective above the concrete floor that Hong Kong is so well renowned for around the World.
Our new found Hong Kong jaunts inspired us to get out and venture deeper into some of Hong Kong's lesser known, yet still distinctive spots around the city. Taking the metro and heading overground as we donned our new Packed Clothing gear, it was clear our desired destination would lead us away from the tourist trail as towering, pastel coloured accommodation blocks penetrated the cyan skies. Hong Kong is a plethora of colour at every twist and turn making it one of the most rich and vibrant cities we have ever visited. Arriving at an estate car park nestled between the multicoloured concrete facades, we were wide eyed as we watched local life unfold around us.
Necks stretching to the sky above, we got the urge to discover the city from the dizzying heights of the rooftops and headed further in and around the mainland for the perfect place to perch. Gazing out across the rooftops as we eyed new perspectives above the city floor, we watched the sun illuminate the brightly coloured concrete and reflected on our adventures around the World thus far, deciding that our new found spots in Hong Kong has pushed this city to the forefront of our favourite cities on the planet for its rich, cultural and historical significance.
Shop the look - Charlie wearing Packed Classic Long Sleeve in Navy, Size large
Hong Kong Island is famed for housing a myriad of mammoth skyscrapers. Each one more distinctive than the next as they pop up like a lego city, one of our favourite ways to explore the island is by jumping on one of the trams and taking up top deck seats to take in the views as you weave in and out of the concrete jungle. Snaking around each towering structure, we decided to spontaneously hop on and off of the tram, picking up a quick Starbucks to take away and drink in the sights of might across the island.
No trip to Hong Kong would be complete without sampling the local delicacy dim sum. Our search for the best dim sum joints in town have extended over a year of intense dim sum discovery from local tea houses to restaurants far and wide across the city, but there is one place that always keeps us coming back for more! Delicately decorated, this is dim sum of the sweet and savoury variety at their most delicious!
Returning to the leafy flora and fauna of Southside, we were keen to wine and dine at the #1 rated rooftop restaurant in Hong Kong and sample a slice of the smart meets casual lifestyle at Komune restaurant. Michelin experienced chef Alvaro Ramos sketches a menu in an open kitchen performance brimming with South American samba flavours and bursting bright colours while infusing Chinese, Japanese and Korean zest throughout his "test the best" sharing plates, all to the tune of a killer soundtrack.
The space seamlessly transitions between lounge and terrace (where on several occasions throughout our stay we fell into the 'snaccident' trap), casual chic dining room and also indulged on hipster toast with accompanying continental breakfast for in-house guests.
If we didn't love Hong Kong already for it's larger than life cityscape, then our experience in the Southside with Ovolo well and truly solidifies the city as one of our firm favourites when it comes to its colourful culture, eclectic landscape and ultimate local hangs.
Go deeper in Hong Kong with...
Website | www.ovolohotels.com
Instagram | @ovolosouthside
Facebook | Ovolo Southside
Website | www.komune.com.hk
Instagram | @komunehk
Facebook | Komune HK
