Modern convenience meets old-style charm in Pentahotel Hong Kong, Kowloon. From the contemporary rustic decor, aged brick details, concrete walls adorned with street art-style murals, and other whimsical details inspired by local culture, Pentahotel Kowloon is a nostalgic step back in time. But it also manages to blends style with hi-tech comfort for modern-day travelers.

Complimentary hotel-wide WiFi, in-room smartphone docking station, smartphone charging service and digital check-in and check-out are available for techie travelers. The hotel has two common game rooms where guests can enjoy complimentary foosball, game consoles, or listen to top-of-the-chart hit songs at the music stations. Some suites even come equipped with their very own PlayStation 4!

Opened in August 2013, this neighborhood lifestyle hotel is designed as a hub for the local community and a home base for independent-minded travelers and digital nomads. In a world of bland hotel experiences, they don’t want to be boring. This hidden gem is an ideal base for a short getaway while you’re in Hong Kong.

After a day of exploring Hong Kong’s ever-busy streets, there’s nothing more relaxing than just retreating back to your hotel room, especially if you’re staying in a place like this. With everything you need right in the hotel, you’ll want an excuse not to step out.

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LOCATION:

The 32-story Pentahotel Hong Kong, Kowloon is located on Luk Hop Street, San Po Kong, in the Kai Tak area of Kowloon East, Hong Kong. It’s about 40 minutes from the Hong Kong International Airport and several minutes away from Diamond Hill MTR station and Plaza Hollywood.

The hotel is located in a fast-emerging neighborhood close to popular Asian ethnic eateries of Kowloon City and several sites of interest like the historic Kowloon Walled City Park, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, Wong Tai Sin Temple, The Tang Dynasty style Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden.

READ MORE: 10 Things to Do in Hong Kong

A complimentary shuttle bus transports guests to designated shopping hotspot Tsim Sha Tsui, including transfer to Diamond Hill MTR station available twice a day. Airport and city-wide car transfer service at a charge is available.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Pentahotels can accommodate large groups as it has 695 practical, New York loft-style guestrooms featuring open closets with prints of bustling Hong Kong city scenes and bathrooms of dark tile and forest shower heads.

The hotel has several room types to choose from, including the Standard Room King, Standard Room Twin, Plus Room King, Plus Room Twin, and Penta PlayerPad Suite. All rooms are 22 sqm except for the PlayerPad Suite which are double the size at 44 sqm. The PentaPad Suites come with their own PS4 and you can borrow games from the reception, making it a great place to stay if you’re traveling with friends or family (especially kids). If I were traveling with my family especially my staycation expert nephew, he’d probably love the hotel rooms.

I was traveling alone and was booked in a King Sized room on the 32nd floor (the top floor). My favorite spot in the room was the comfy bay window, where I got an amazing view of the skyline day and night.

Every room has been efficiently designed with free WiFi, smartphone docking, 37-inch LED TV, cable TV channels, electronic safe, individually controlled air-conditioning, coffee and tea-making facilities, hairdryer, fridge, bathroom amenities, rain shower head and extra bed at charge.

Most hotels have a certain tried-and-tested formula to them. They tend to look all the same. Pentahotels has a lot of character from the Hong Kong-inspired graphics adorning every room, quirky bathroom amenities and playful heat-sensitive mugs placed in each guestroom designed by local brand G.O.D. Other Hong Kong-inspired accessories and beverages are available in “maxibar” vending machines. But there are also a couple of 7-11 convenience stores just walking distance if you want to buy supplies.

FACILITIES:

Whether you’re in Hong Kong for business or leisure, Pentahotels prides itself on having everything you may need right in the hotel. For those traveling for business, they have meeting facilities and equipment including five studio rooms and two timeout zones for breakouts and small gatherings.

They have free hotel-wide WiFi, an Internet corner, Pentafun music stations, two game rooms and mobile charging service on the first floor, maxibar vending machines and safe room on the mezzanine floor, foreign currency exchange, pentaexpress in-room dining service, express laundry service, luggage storage, doctor on call service and general business services.

For those traveling for recreation and leisure, the hotel has two Games Room on the first floor (with a foosball table, billiards, board games and game consoles), open from 7 to 12 am and music stations available 24 hours.

They also have a gym on the third floor which is open 24 hours and a seasonal outdoor pool (closed in winter months) which is open from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm.

DINING:

Pentahotels has a really cool in-house restaurant and pizza bar. Combining the hotel lobby, reception area, bar and cafe into a single venue, pentalounge is a lively gathering place with 230 seats anchored by eatstreet@pentalounge which offers favorite Hong Kong dishes and a variety of comfort foods and all-day drinks.

Stations included a Grill, Wok Kitchen, Deli, Steam and Noodle Corners. Throughout the day, the menu included flavorful local favorites such as Char-grilled Pork, Luncheon Meat and Fried Egg Rice, Hainan Chicken Rice, Pan-Fried Vegetable Dumplings. Eatstreet also has a hip bar right next to the dining area.

Another great place to eat in the hotel is the Pizza Bar on the ground floor, which serves a selection of authentic and handmade Italian-style including local-flavored pizza on-site or for takeaway.

CHECK INTO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD:

Hong Kong is a pretty overwhelming place to visit and there are a lot of things you can do there. But if you want a more leisurely vacation, you can just opt to stay in and explore the neighborhood. For those on a short stay who want to enjoy the Kai Tak area, here are the places you can check out nearby.

Nan Lian Garden
Chi Lin Nunnery
Wong Tai Sin Temple
Kowloon City Walled Park
Choi Hung Estate
Hiking up to Lion Rock Hill
Kai Tak Cruise Terminal
Mikiki Shopping Centre
Plaza Hollywood (Shopping Mall)

From the Diamond Hill MTR station, you can also access other top tourist spots like Sham Shui Po, Tsim Tsa Tsui, Old Town Central and more.

WHO SHOULD CHECK IN:

Pentahotel Hong Kong Kowloon is a neighborhood lifestyle hotel and the first international brand hotel in the Kai Tak area that will appeal to business or leisure travelers, families and groups of friends. They market themselves as an alternative rather than a mainstream hotel ideal for “independent-minded travelers and young-spirited customers.”

Digital nomads and shutterbugs will appreciate the modern conveniences, fun vibe, unique interiors and other whimsical details in the hotel. Thank you to Pentahotels Kowloon, WeGo and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) for hosting my stay in this hip lifestyle hotel! For travel bookings, visit: www.wego.com.ph