Why stay?

There’s a side to Hong Kong that many visitors never see: a place of natural wonders, stunning sunsets, and island-studded vistas across the South China Sea. The Fullerton Ocean Park is the first luxury five-star hotel on Hong Kong Island’s less-developed southern coast, where sampans ply the shore, and birdcalls ring through the subtropical forests. It hugs the ridge of a hillside overlooking the ocean (and offers terrific sunset views), giving you an “away-from-it-all” resort vibe—yet it’s only a short 20-minute drive (or a half-hour MTR ride) from downtown. The newest addition to Singapore-born The Fullerton Hotels is also its most family oriented, with an enormous indoor playground and themed kids’ rooms. And Ocean Park, Hong Kong’s popular homegrown theme park, is just a few steps away.

The area

Long a backwater (the first British settlement in Hong Kong was briefly located here), Southside has emerged as an exciting new district in recent years, thanks to the completion of the MTR South Island Line. Development has been gentler and less urbanized than in other parts of Hong Kong, and avid hikers can access trails and paths a short walk from the hotel’s front door. The Fullerton Ocean Park is also well-positioned for exploring Southside’s other attractions: A five-minute cab ride puts you in the heart of Wong Chuk Hang’s vibrant art and gallery scene, and the quaint, laid-back seaside restaurants and bars of Stanley village are just 10 minutes down the road.

The sitting area of a Premier Oceanfront Room at The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong.

The feel

The Fullerton’s “nature meets luxury” vibe is evident as you enter the sleek open lobby area, with its floor-to-ceiling windows framing endless sea and green island views. A gorgeous infinity pool (with more views) stretches for 60 meters along the outside perimeter of the hotel’s third floor, and at ground level, bordering the beach, is The Promenade, where you can have a stroll along a path that boasts 30 species of trees, and 80 varieties of shrubs, plants, and flowers.

Guest quarters

The clean modern lines of the quietly luxurious guest rooms don’t compete with the full ocean vistas, allowing the natural setting to take center stage. A relaxed neutral color palette of cozy all-white duvet covers, beige walls and oatmeal rugs is punctuated by cushions and throws that add a pop of marine blue, and there’s a comfy pale mint settee. All rooms feature rain showers, a pillow menu, and a minibar with Nespresso coffee maker. (Lovers of the sea will want to splurge on a Premier Oceanfront room; located in the corners of the hotel’s twin towers, these have soothing 180-degree views.)

Food and drink

The Fullerton snagged well-known Hong Kong chef Lai Ching-shing to helm Jade, its Cantonese restaurant, and the food is outstanding, worthy of a visit even if you are not staying in the hotel. Chef Lai’s mastery of “wok hei” shines in his preparation of complex stir fries—his vegetarian medley of asparagus, black fungus, fig, snap pea, and lotus root arrives fragrant and with perfect texture. Don’t miss his original twist on the soup dumpling, a xiao long bao filled with rich, herbal Malaysian bak kut teh broth. In a more casual setting, Satay Inn serves Malaysian-Singaporean fare like char kway teow, laksa, and Hokkien prawn mee, while the all-day Lighthouse Café and Bar offers international cuisine and a solid and expansive breakfast buffet.

Steamed minced pork with foie gras and scallop in a hot stone bowl at Jade, the Cantonese restaurant at The Fullerton Ocean Park.

Wellness factor

Total immersion in the soothing sounds of the ocean makes for great therapy, but if you are in the mood for even more relaxation, head to The Fullerton Spa on the fifth floor. Massages and facials are available in four treatment rooms—two single, two couple—with views of the blue South China Sea, a cozy hot tub and sauna room, and an array of organic aromatherapy and skincare products from Bamford and Subtle Energies. (Note: the spa is very popular, so remember to pre-book a treatment when you make your room reservation.)

Family matters

Many hotels bill themselves as “child-friendly,” but Fullerton Ocean Park really is a kid’s paradise. The property has a nearly 600-square-meter indoor play area with zones curated for children from toddlers to 10 years old. Whimsical themed accommodations like the Mermaid Princess Room (with a clamshell-shaped bed) and the Hong Kong Safari Room (you sleep inside a jeep!) can be booked for an extra-special experience. And there’s a schedule of daily workshops for all ages, including a hands-on meet-and-greet with birds, reptiles, and mammals from nearby Ocean Park that will delight and amaze grownups too.

Sustainability cred

The Fullerton’s back-to-nature ethos is on full display throughout the hotel. Guests replenish their own water bottles from “smart filling stations” on every floor, linens are 100-percent organic cotton and biodegradable, in-room amenities are made of and packaged in recycled materials, and even the keycard is fashioned from bamboo. The building’s design has energy efficiency baked in, from the latest environmentally friendly heating and air-cooling tech to the double-paned and thermal-insulated windows. The hotel is the first in Hong Kong and mainland China to be pre-certified by the International WELL Building Institute.

What else?

In every room at The Fullerton there’s a copy of Sea Creatures and Animals, a delightful hardcover book of hand-drawn illustrations and descriptions of fascinating sea creatures from Hong Kong and around the world. Its author, Professor Brian Morton, intended it for children, but it’s a captivating read for all ages—and a great accompaniment for a lazy day of enjoying the ocean views, watching ships and sampans sail by.

Reviewed by Daisann McLane

fullertonhotels.com
+852 2166 7300
3 Ocean Dr., Aberdeen, Hong Kong

The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong: South Coast Gem

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