JIA Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

Nestled in the hurly burly of Causeway Bay, JIA Hong Kong straddles a line between boutique hotel and serviced apartments. It’s a breath of unique air amongst the other alternative boutique hotels in Hong Kong

JIA Hong Kong is a timely addition to the Asia boutique hotel scene and sets a trend that is likely to prove successful with people who spend their lives on the go. It offers a classy alternative to the five star chains that are all over Asia. If you value privacy over ever-present service and understand the benefits of a (small) suite at the same price as a standard room in a five star hotel then book into JIA Hong Kong.

The facilities

Downstairs in the common areas at JIA Hong Kong, the comfort begins and continues on to the second floor with an outdoor terrace. Here you find a sheer border of lit up plants that ensure privacy but still allow for the atmosphere of the street below to filter through. Enjoy a cigarette, a glass of wine or the newspaper while you wait for your washing to tumble in the washing machines provided free for guests. It is features like this that make this boutique hotel a unique offering for savvy travellers who expect comfort and style.

In JIA Hong Kong’s lobby, guests wander into a fun atmosphere filled with fantastic pairings of classical furniture covered with modern textures and contemporary works of art, a perfect combination of glamour and whimsy. In the mornings, a quick breakfast is offered for guests on the go, ready to explore all the city has to offer. Help yourself to the fresh pastries, fruits, coffee and juices tucked away behind an always open bar dispensing soft-drinks, beer and nibbles. In the evening at JIA Hong Kong, bottles of wine are complimentary to encourage guests to mingle with their fellow travellers.

The rooms

Designer Philippe Starck created 57 impressive studios and suites at JIA Hong Kong. Each bears his trade-mark of clever, playful and stylish designs coupled with extremely livable living spaces. All in all this boutique hotel makes for a comforting cup of Jia, the Mandarin word for home.

Every room at the JIA Hong Kong is a fully featured ‘mini’: the new hip class of apartments appearing rapidly on the space starved Asian city sky-lines. All of the suites have kitchens with microwave ovens, full sized refrigerators with freezers and work areas. All are thoughtfully hidden away by a rolling teak door in the penthouses and behind gossamer curtains in the suites. The bathrooms at this boutique hotel offer full sized bottles of Kiehls products. Even in the smaller studios, the work space is well planned and comfortable and it is possible to do some serious work there without feeling like you’re trapped in a corner, staring at a wall. There is free broadband connection and local telephone calls in all room classes which makes for a nice touch.

In all four room types at the JIA Hong Kong the honeyed teak wood floors and quirky footstools combine simple design with fun and funky colours. In the suites and penthouses there are plenty of soft cushioned sofas that are perfect for relaxing with friends. This is an important consideration in an apartment hotel where guests are likely to be staying upwards of a month.

Particularly clever are the custom designed audio visual units which spin 360degrees at this boutique hotel. You can watch television from any of the several cosy spots in the rooms. Curtained off spaces and alcoves in the suites give a sense of privacy without causing claustrophobia and add a romantic touch to the quirky rooms. Mine had a pair of colourful plastic gnome stools which made both myself and my guests smile. For all the seriousness of JIA Hong Kong’s design pedigree, this is one boutique hotel that doesn’t take itself too seriously.