I arranged a reservation at The Harbour Grand Kowloon for my parents, spanning over two weeks. This hotel truly embodies its "Grand" title, evident from the moment we stepped into the luxurious reception hall. Situated on the picturesque Whampoa waterfront, the hotel offers breathtaking, unspoiled views of Victoria Harbour. My parent's room was spacious and boasted a partial view of the waterfront. We took pleasure in relaxing by the window, savouring a glass of wine while watching the constant parade of boats sail by. Additionally, the patio bar facing the harbour provided a serene haven to unwind and enjoy a well-deserved drink after a long day of sightseeing. The highlight of our stay was undoubtedly the fantastic pool. Perched high above, it afforded a 360-degree panorama of Victoria Harbour. On one occasion, I was able to join my parents for a swim without any issue. However, a different pool receptionist created a fuss on our second visit, claiming that the room did not accommodate an additional guest. While I understand their policy, it was perplexing as it hadn't been an issue previously. Considering the substantial amount I paid for the hotel over two weeks, I believe they could have shown greater flexibility, rather than strictly adhering to a rule that seemed trivial. Nonetheless, I was still permitted access to the pool area, although the chilly spring evening dissuaded me from swimming. Adjacent to the pool, a spacious deck with ample chairs and tables largely remained unoccupied, presumably reserved for weddings and other events. I couldn't help but feel that the hotel could make better use of this area by incorporating a bar or enhancing its ambiance. Transforming it into a rooftop bar would be a splendid addition, as it currently appears underutilised and wasted. During the check-in process, an unusual incident occurred, possibly due to a translation issue. The receptionist attempted to charge me an additional 3000HKD as a "service charge," insisting it was mandatory. To refute this claim, I presented my booking confirmation, which clearly stated the amount indicated on the invoice as the only valid payment. I argued that the receptionist's 3000HKD charge was baseless. In response, he provided me with a breakdown of the supposed service charges on a piece of paper. Bafflingly, it included fees for long-distance phone calls, laundry services, and the option to dine at the hotel's restaurants and settle the bill during checkout. These charges were ludicrous, as we neither requested nor required any of these services. Eventually, the receptionist relented and waived the additional charge. It seemed nonsensical to expect guests to make long-distance calls in this day and age. Moreover, I reside in Hong Kong, making it convenient for my parents to handle their laundry at my place. Overall, the staff at The Harbour Grand Kowloon were generally friendly, and the hotel itself was delightful. However, it could benefit from a more meticulous approach to detail and has the potential to exceed its current offerings. Nevertheless, my parent's stay was very satisfactory, and I'm confident that my parents thoroughly enjoyed their time here. …
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.