The Fleming Hong Kong: A Boutique Hotel That Celebrates the City’s Heritage

I am fiercely in love with Hong Kong, my home of more than three decades. But the truth is, the city hasn’t truly embraced the boutique hotel concept, even after all these years.

Name a big international hotel chain – any brand – and the chances are that you’ll find at least two, if not three of their properties in Hong Kong. But smaller, design-led hotels are still far and few between (unless you’re happy to fork out US$600 a night – which I’m not!).

So when I heard about a Hong Kong boutique hotel inspired by the iconic Star Ferry, cross-harbour ferries that shuttle people across Victoria Harbour, I knew I had to check it out – I am, after all, a sucker for heritage hotels that show off the essence of the city.

I booked a staycation at The Fleming for my partner and myself, and fell in love with the sexy (yes, I said sexy) metallic accents, the classic porthole doors, Hong Kong-inspired artwork and stylish setting.

There’s always a danger of coming across as “kitschy” when you create a themed boutique hotel, and The Fleming is anything but – the design is impeccable and a heavenly blend of modern-meets-classic, with a subtle nod to Hong Kong’s maritime history. Read on for my review of The Fleming urban hotel in Wan Chai, Hong Kong!

Headed to Hong Kong? Here are all of my insider Hong Kong destination guides!

The rooms at The Fleming in Hong Kong

Property prices in Hong Kong are outrageous, and the city is notorious for sky-high real estate rates. In general, hotel rooms in Hong Kong tend to be on the more compact side, so imagine my surprise when we walked into one of The Fleming’s 66 rooms and was greeted with 300 square feet of well-designed space and a functional layout.

The Fleming offers four different room categories, with the smallest coming in at approximately 210 square feet and the largest at 360 square feet.

Our room featured a minibar area tucked away in the corner, an open wardrobe, queen-sized bed, wall-mounted flat screen TV, desk and classy Hong Kong-inspired artwork.

Though the room looked out onto other residential buildings in the historic district of Wan Chai, the space evokes a nostalgia for what is affectionately referred to as “Old Hong Kong”. We opted to keep the blinds drawn for more privacy during our stay.

Make sure you indulge in the bespoke Chinese apothecary bathroom amenities – the various herbal aromas are light and vibrant, and will get you ready for a day of exploring in Hong Kong.

Ready to book your stay at The Fleming in Hong Kong? The boutique hotel is extremely popular so book early – click here to check current rates and availability!

The facilities and dining at The Fleming in Hong Kong

At the base of The Fleming is Osteria Marzia, a sleek Italian restaurant offering coastal cuisine – perfect for seafood lovers. The restaurant dishes up exquisite Italian dishes as well as a wide selection of wine from Italy and beyond.

The service is stellar, and is a fantastic option for special occasions or date night – be warned though, it comes with an equally hefty price tag and though we enjoyed our meal at Osteria Marzia there are other Italian restaurants I would recommend in Hong Kong.

You might also like: 20+ of Hong Kong’s top restaurants to stuff your face at

As The Fleming is an urban boutique hotel there is no pool, spa or gym – but it is the perfect city getaway hotel with a location that can’t be beat. For guests looking to hit the fitness circuit during their stay ask the front desk for a day pass to a nearby gym, or simply embark on one of these easy hikes with a view in Hong Kong.

The Fleming is tucked away in one of Hong Kong’s most vibrant neighborhoods: Wan Chai is one of the best places in Hong Kong to explore traditional culture and heritage. Looking for a wonderful retreat after a long day of sightseeing? This unique boutique hotel in Hong Kong is your perfect base for exploring the city and beyond.

Related guides: Essential things to do for first-time visitors to Hong Kong, and unique places to visit in Hong Kong that aren’t in your guidebook

How to get to The Fleming

The Fleming is in Wan Chai, sandwiched between Admiralty and Causeway Bay right in the city centre. The best way to get to The Fleming is to take the Airport Express train which takes you from Hong Kong airport to the CBD in just 24 minutes, and then hopping into a cab or onto the subway from Central to Wan Chai. Want 20% off your Airport Express ticket? Buy your ticket ahead of time online here!

Alternatively, simply ask the hotel to book your airport transfer ahead of time.

Booking tip: Check if the hotel is offering any special deals that include F&B vouchers for the in-house restaurant! Ready to book your stay? Click here for current rates and availability at The Fleming in Hong Kong.

The verdict

It’s not everyday that you come across a hotel that captures the soul of a city – one that isn’t bland, typical and copy-paste. The Fleming is blazing the trail into the boutique hotel scene in Hong Kong, and I’m thrilled that visitors will be able to stay in a space that celebrates the heritage and spirit of the city. Interested in reading more Hong Kong boutique and luxury hotel reviews? Click here for more tried-and-tested Hong Kong boutique hotels!

Planning a trip to Hong Kong?

✈️ To get into Hong Kong you’ll need to fly into Hong Kong International Airport. A cab from the airport to the city costs approximately HK$350-450 and typically takes less than 45 minutes/1 hour from door-to-door, or you can pre-book your private airport pick up or drop off here. You can also take the Airport Express train which stops in Tsing Yi, Kowloon and Central – it takes just 24 minutes from end to end. Get 20% off your Airport Express ticket if you buy your ticket ahead of time online here.

🛂 Most visitors to Hong Kong do not require a visa for entry. See here for more details.

💱 The local currency is the Hong Kong dollar. The exchange rate is approximately 7.6 HKD to 1 USD/1 Euro. Most places accept Visa or Mastercard.

🎟️ You pretty much never have to pay full price for admissions or tour tickets in Hong Kong. Just click here and search for places you want to go, and book online for discounted travel experiences.

📱 Buy a local SIM card. You can get a 7 day Hong Kong tourist SIM card and pick it up from the airport on arrival.

🚗 Getting around Hong Kong is easy. Public transportation is efficient, cheap and clean, and the network is very extensive. Taxis are cheap as well if you are in a hurry. One of the first things to do when you arrive in Hong Kong is get an Octopus card. It is a stored value card that works on all public transportation (but not in taxis).

🌐 Language in Hong Kong: The main language spoken in Hong Kong is Cantonese, a local dialect. Many people speak English (or at least basic English), and almost all signs are bilingual.

🌤️ Weather in Hong Kong: It is not a year-round tropical country as many people seem to believe. Summers are HOT and it gets fairly cold during the winter months (December to February). The best time to visit Hong Kong for milder weather is from March to early June, and September to November (but avoid the 1st week of May and 1st week of October as the city can get busy during China’s “Golden Week” holidays).

Looking for more insider Hong Kong recommendations and tips?

• Read this before your trip to Hong Kong: 11 things you should know about the city before your visit
• Get off the beaten track with this list of unique and offbeat things to do in Hong Kong
• And avoid these common travel mistakes by reading this article on what NOT to do if you’re visiting Hong Kong
• Head on over here for more recommendations for places to eat and things to do in Hong Kong

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