On top of the world at the Ritz

I am on top of the world, waxing poetic as I gaze at all creation below. The exhilarating view from the world’s highest spa overlooks the panoramic vistas of the dramatic mountains and the watery seascapes with Chinese junks and luxury liners side by side.

Feeling in close proximity to the heavens, I imagine with revelry and reverence the Lord’s embrace that seems just a wisp beyond the clouds. A chopper hovers eye-level across the ethereal sky and I am lost in this immaculate world of timeless space.

Welcome to the ESPA at the world’s tallest hotel, the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong Hotel in the former crown colony standing at 1,600 feet above sea level. Savor breathtaking views of one of the most spectacular skylines in the world from its spa suite as you enjoy your luscious verbena-grape seed aromatherapy treatment. The penultimate in urban spa experiences, the Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA is located on the 116th floor and boasts nine deluxe treatment rooms and two couple’s suites all with floor-to-ceiling windows with unrivaled views.

The lobby lounge, located on the 102nd floor, is ideal for all-day dining from breakfast onwards.

The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong officially became the world’s tallest hotel — and the fourth highest building in the world — when it opened its doors to the public on March 29. Situated at the pinnacle of the International Commerce Centre (ICC), it occupies floors 102 to 118 and has 312 stunning rooms with opulent contemporary flair. As you enter your room, the electronically controlled curtains open in synchronicity to reveal the Hong Kong skyline. As if that wasn’t enough, the hotel has six fabulous design-savvy restaurants, including Ozone, the tallest bar in the world, and also offers a fully equipped fitness center and an indoor infinity pool overlooking the romantic Victoria Harbour.    

Herve Humler, president of the luxury hotel chain, said the building was a landmark hotel, which was the culmination of many years of hard work. “We have been able to create something truly spectacular so we can welcome our guests not just to the tallest hotel in the world, but also to one of the very best,” he said. “We are taking luxury to new heights in every sense.”

My sisters and I have a penchant for studying the world’s highest towers and hotels ever since we visited the fashion-accented Armani Hotel in the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai last year. Based on data standards as outlined by the Emporis Standards Committee (ESC), whose listing is verified and updated continuously, the previous highest hotels before the Ritz-Carlton HK (1,600 feet) were the Rose Tower Hotel in Dubai with a height of 1,093 feet, next was the Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang at 1,083 feet, and the Burj Al Arab at 1,053 feet.

The Ritz-Carlton securely rests in its accolade as the world’s tallest hotel displacing Park Hyatt Shanghai, which is straddled between the 79th and 93rd floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center. The Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa in Dubai climbs no higher than its 39th-story. The Burj Khalifa may be the tallest building on the planet, but the highest hotel is the Ritz-Carlton HK.

The infinity pool on the 118th floor is also the world’s highest.

Guests will first experience the magnificent edifice and the city by arriving at the hotel entrance on the 9th floor. Ritz Carlton PR director Bonnie Kwok shared that in just 52 seconds, guests are transferred to the lobby on 103rd floor where refreshing hues of ambient blue marble stretch across the entire space of the hotel. A dramatic wood entryway then leads guests through the lift lobby that is complemented with bright orange onyx walls. The overall design theme of the hotel by LTW Design works is inspired by the city’s dynamic culture — “a global metropolis at the crossroads of East and West and at the same time rich in entrancing local fIavor.”

Worthy to note, adjacent to the hotel in the ICC is the one-million-square-foot Elements shopping mall that offers some of the finest shopping in Hong Kong with luxury brand names and more. The ICC will also host an Observation Deck, Sky100 on the 100th floor and offer direct connections to Hong Kong International Airport in 20 minutes and Central in five minutes.            

Bonnie toured me around the hotel’s six dining venues created by some of the biggest names in restaurant design, including Japan’s Spin Design Studio and Wonderwall. On the 102nd floor, they have their Cantonese restaurant Tin Lung Heen; Tosca, an Italian restaurant, which offers Southern Italian cuisine with an open kitchen; and the very stylish The Lounge & Bar which features stunning crystal fire pits. One must try the chocolate-themed lounge named The Chocolate Library on the 103rd floor and the uber chic patisserie named Pastry Gems located on the 9th floor. You cannot leave without trying its signature gooey and chewy chocolate chip cookies — simply divine!    

The posh guest rooms and suites feature silk paneled walls, floral motifs, leather headboards with metallic accents in Shanghai Tang fashion. Telescopes are provided for the equally opulent views. The spacious bathrooms feature travertine marble floors and walls, and onyx countertops with double basins.       

Premier Executive Suite: 115 square meters of  opulent design and exuberant comfort with a scintillating view

The intimate ambiance at the Club Lounge, your living room here, located on the 116th floor showcases dark Brazilian marble floor in stark contrast to the gleaming white marble countertops delicately streaked with orange and grey. Club Lounge supervisor Bernadette Guevarra shared that one can enjoy 24-hour service here while luxuriating in panoramic views from the “top of the world.”

At the ladies locker room of the fitness center on the 116th floor, I check out the hotel’s steam room. In what resembles an ultra-modern space capsule, steam rises from the marbled flooring and the water flows gently in synchronicity with the changing of the eclectic lights that synergize with what sounds like Buddha Bar mood music.

As they say in Ritz-Carlton, “You can’t be a legend without a great story.” 

The Diamond Ballroom of Ritz-Carlton HK is the epitome of function, class, and elegance.

The 100 years of history of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel begin with the celebrated hotelier Cesar Ritz, the “king of hoteliers and hotelier to kings.” His philosophy of   service redefined the luxury hotel experience in Europe through his management of the Ritz Paris and The Carlton in London. This rich hotel history, however, started with the Ritz-Carlton Boston. The standards of service, dining, and facilities of this stellar Boston landmark served as a benchmark for all its properties worldwide.     

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For more information, log on to www.ritzcarlton.com. Cebu Pacific has flights to Hong Kong daily. For reservations, call 702-0888. E-mail author at miladay.star@gmail.com