Hotel Review: Dorsett Wanchai, previously known as Cosmopolitan Hotel in Hong Kong

PUBLISHED June 10th, 2016 07:00 am | UPDATED May 12th, 2023 05:17 am

Previously known as Cosmopolitan Hotel, the rebranded Dorsett Wanchai has one of the most unique views in Hong Kong. Some of the rooms overlook Hong Kong’s iconic Happy Valley Race Course, which is a rare site of lush greenery balanced with the surrounding concrete jungle.

The hotel itself takes inspiration from the racecourse and rooms are labeled with distinctive miniature horses, a playful gesture to balance the recent sophisticated renovation.

The most impressive room at the Dorsett Wanchai has to be the Sony 4K 3D Experience Suite – perfect for a family with teenagers…or if you just love gadgets. An exclusive partnership with Sony, the room boasts the latest in all of Sony’s gadget-wares. The 4K refers to the 55-inch Sony Bravia with 4K resolution TV, so clear you could taste the picture (please don’t take me literally and start licking the screen).

The 3D, as you may have guessed, is all about the three-dimensional 5.1 HD blue ray home theatre system that comes with two sets of wireless transmitter 3D glasses. If that’s not enough, they have a personal headset for you to be able to watch movies in the event the big screen is occupied. All the aforementioned are surrounded by state of art speakers and, of course, the iconic Sony Playstation.

If you ever manage to tear yourself away and venture outside, the Dorsett also provides you with a handy-cam to capture some really good holiday footage.

Another quirky aspect of the hotel is the Ocean Park Family Suite. The room is tailored specifically for families with colourful and vibrant furnishings. Think playful atlas themed wallpaper and brightly coloured carpet, Alice in Wonderland teacup seats paired with lollipop tables. Just being in the suite really brought on the playful child inside of me.

I know what you’re thinking, these are the suites…What about the other rooms? The non-suite rooms of the Dorsett Wanchai are the most spacious in the very crowded city of Hong Kong I have stayed in. I was very happy to be able spin until I was dizzy without hitting anything. Each room also comes with a Handy smart-phone for guests to be able to use. The Handy is your own personal smart phone that you can use to do all you need and want to do with a smart phone, including providing internet hotspot every where you go!

We can’t complain about the neighbourhood either with so much happening nearby – there’s Jardine Crescent for bargain clothing and souvenirs; Wanchai Market for fresh fruit; Tai Yuen Street (Toy Street); Oriental 188 Shopping Centre for the latest electronic gadgets and games. Lee Tung Avenue, the recent hottest attraction in town that boasts an array of dining options and boutiques, is also just a 15 minute walk away from the hotel.

Starting at HKD$950 (plus service charge) per night, Dorsett Wanchai is faultless for a little affordable luxury in Hong Kong. A short walk away from the major shopping district of Causeway Bay, a stroll away from the vibrant F&B hub of Wan Chai (check out 18 Grams, The Cupping Room or the extravagant Omotesando Koffee for great coffee), and a stone’s throw away from Happy Valley Racecourse – if you’re in town on a Wednesday be sure you pop by and place a little bet on a cheekily named stallion (for the latest schedules click HERE).

Dorsett Wanchai is located at 387-397 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 852 3552 1111.

Top Image: Premier Room