The Hari is a boutique hotel with 210 rooms on Lockhart Road in Wan Chai, a district that has long mixed office towers, noodle shops, bars and trams in one lively package. The hotel is part of the Vignette Collection by IHG and positions itself as a design-led stay for travellers who prefer something smaller and more personal than a convention hotel. It has four restaurants and lounges on site: Lucciola serves Italian food, The Lounge and The Terrace give you relaxed places for coffee, drinks and light meals, and Zoku adds another dining option. There is a bar, a garden and a terrace, a twenty-four-hour gym, a full breakfast available for a fee and an electric car charging point. Wan Chai is one of the best bases on Hong Kong Island for visitors who like to walk. Times Square in Causeway Bay is about five minutes on foot, Happy Valley Racecourse about six, and the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and harbourfront ten, while Pacific Place is a seventeen-minute walk and Lan Kwai Fong a short taxi ride away. Trams along Hennessy Road and Johnston Road make short hops easy and fun.
What to expect inside
Contemporary rooms with a boutique feel, comfortable beds and the compact layouts typical of Hong Kong, so check room sizes when you book if space matters. The hotel does not have on-site parking, which is normal in this district and rarely a problem since the MTR, trams and taxis are all nearby. Free Wi-Fi covers all rooms, and the twenty-four-hour front desk and concierge can help with luggage storage and local recommendations.
Breakfast is available for a fee, and with so many cafes and cha chaan teng in Wan Chai it is worth trying a local breakfast at least once, ideally at a noodle or toast place in the surrounding streets. Quiet-seeking guests should ask for a higher floor away from Lockhart Road, which can be busy in the evening.
The neighbourhood is the main reason to book. Wan Chai has the best mix of old and new on the island: wet markets on Tai Yuen Street and Cross Street, the Blue House heritage cluster, small temples such as Pak Tai and Hung Shing, and a food scene that ranges from street stalls to polished restaurants. Happy Valley Racecourse is a short walk away, and the Wednesday night racing season, usually between September and July, is a highlight for visitors who want an authentic evening out; check the racing calendar before you travel.
The harbourfront promenade near the convention centre is pleasant for a stroll, and the Wan Chai ferry pier provides an inexpensive crossing to Tsim Sha Tsui.
Who it suits
Couples, solo travellers and first-time visitors who want a boutique stay in a real neighbourhood with strong food and transport links, and who do not need a big resort-style hotel. The trade-offs: the hotel does not advertise a pool, the area is busy and lively at night, and the main tourist sights are a few MTR stops away rather than on the doorstep.
If you want a calm, scenic base, look at the Central or Tsim Sha Tsui options in this guide. If you want to wake up in the middle of local life, with trams, noodle shops and markets outside your door, the Hari is an excellent choice.
Why stay here
- ✓Boutique 210-room hotel
- ✓Lucciola Italian restaurant
- ✓Terrace and garden
- ✓24-hour gym
- ✓Free Wi-Fi in all rooms
- ✓Electric car charging point
- ✓24-hour front desk and concierge
- ✓Walk to Times Square and Happy Valley
Good questions
What dining does The Hari have?+
Four restaurants and lounges: Lucciola for Italian food, The Lounge, The Terrace and Zoku, plus a bar and a garden. Full breakfast is available for a fee.
Is it close to shopping and Happy Valley?+
Times Square is about a five-minute walk and Happy Valley Racecourse about six. Pacific Place is around seventeen minutes on foot.
Is there parking?+
There is no parking on site, but the MTR, trams and taxis are all close by.
