The Upper House

“With an intention to create a small intimate hotel reminiscent of a private residence, I have purposely conjured a sense of tranquillity throughout the design and ambience of the hotel,” says André Fu.
The result is a sophisticated modern-oriental residence, designed with respect to balanced geometry and symmetry, providing all the comforts of a stately home. The palette is restrained with the use of bamboo and lacquered panels to create an oriental sensitivity, but the hotel remains international.

THE JOURNEY
Entry through a Bedonia stone doorway façade and a subtly-lit driveway leads guests to a glass box that appears to float above pools of water. Via the dramatic 13ft high textured nickel front-door, described by Fu as the ‘Gate’, guests enter into the lobby area.
Inside the entrance a circular bamboo enclosure, the Lantern, an escalator with walls lined with bespoke lamps leads guests into Level 6, flooded with natural daylight. Surrounded by a sculpted topiary box-hedge, the beautifully-crafted lawn echoes the essence of the Upper House – simplicity done with quiet taste.
 
THE SUITES
Ascending into the hotel’s 117 spacious guest rooms, each is designed to provide a sense of understated luxury. The contemporary monochromatic design features natural timber, shoji glass, limestone and lacquered paper panels. All rooms including 21 suites and 2 penthouses are presented in two colour schemes: ‘Bamboo’ with solid ash flooring, bamboo timber and lilac upholstery; ‘Celadon’ featuring green tea upholstery, limed oak flooring and creme oak timber.

THE ASPIRATION
The highlight of the ‘journey’ is Level 49, which showcases the Sky Bridge. Infused with a skylight above a 40m high atrium, the Sky Bridge provides linkage between the Sky Lounge and the signature restaurant & bar, Café Gray Deluxe. Inspired by the traditional oriental hand-crafted umbrella, an ‘umbrella’ feature with a dramatic diameter of 7m is suspended below an oval skylight – during the day, it baths the entire atrium with natural daylight.
At the Skylounge, the 4m high room is all about balanced geometry and elegance with a centrepiece fireplace and a backdrop of a mountain landscape. The lounge is also complimented by intimate sofa seatings in soft hues of green tea and mineral blue; and is adorned with game-sets from Asprey and Hermes cashmere throws.
 
CAFÉ GRAY DELUXE
Café Gray Deluxe, a 21st century ‘grand café’ overlooking Victoria Harbour, is a vibrant restaurant highlighted by a 14m long open kitchen and equally long bar in portoro nero marble, designed to enhance the guest experience in a palette of champagne gold, warm greys and deep lilacs.
The main dining room seating approximately 100 is adorned with a collection of bespoke furniture and bamboo lighting pendants. The L shaped venue is also flanked with timber panels that are twisted in shape to create a sense of movement and motion.
There are also 3 semi-private dining areas designed with full view of the open kitchen stations, and a private salon for 12 is available for exclusive harbour view dining. The bar and lounge, seating 88, is contemporary and vibrant.
 
THE ARTWORK
Displayed around the entire hotel are contemporary artworks and sculptures in sandstone, ceramics, marble and bronze, perfectly complementing Fu’s over-riding concept of serenity.

André Fu/AFSO