The strange and largely unknown history 1990 - present day

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The very curious case of the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Hong Kong

The strange and largely unknown history 1990 - present day

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The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong opened 1993 closed 2008

I have lived in Hong Kong for since 1972 and I have seen a lot of strange things in my time but the strange case of the Ritz Carlton Hotel takes some beating

In a nutshell, the Ritz Carlton opened in Hong Kong in 1993, I remember it well, a new entrant into the luxury hotel market in Hong Kong which was in need of a shake up, as you can see it was a stand alone Hotel, the Ritz Carlton occupied the entire building and personally I was quite taken with it, it would not have been out of place in New York and its design certainly cause a stir here.

A lot of my friends seem strangely unaware that the Ritz Carlton Hotel above in the Central Business District was DEMOLISHED in 2009 just 16 years after it opened, the Hotel actually closed in 2008

To me this was quite shocking, demolishing a luxury hotel building after 16 years just seemed wrong particularly when the replacement building CCB Tower opened in 2012 is just another sterile glass and steel tower roughly the same height and width as the Ritz Carlton.

That was the nature of the property market in Hong Kong in 1993 just 4 years before the handover back to China.

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The CCB Tower opened in 2012 replacing the Ritz Carlton | Hong Kong - 2025

If you refer to the image below you will see that the much bigger steel and glass tower next to CCB Tower also used to be a hotel and a rather famous one at that, the Furama Hotel and for 8 years, side by side where a rather iconic pair of Hotels, the Ritz was much more glamorous, the Furama was more utilitarian but had an awesome coffee shop but was pretty ugly when compared to the Ritz Carlton.

Having lived here for 53 years I understand that building designs evolve and we have some lovely steel and glass buildings although they just feel a little generic, I loved the Ritz Carlton because it has a certain panache.

Oh well.

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The Furama Hotel to the right of the Ritz Carlton Hotel | Hong Kong - 2001 (ish)

So back to the main subject which is what happened to the Ritz Carlton after it was demolished, there was not much press about it at the time but they apparently had a plan B which as it turns out was a masterstroke of luck and timing!

So below is the complete history of the Ritz Carlton including the new Ritz Carlton Hotel which opened on March 29th 2011 just 3 years and 2 months after it closed in the business district on Hong Kong Island.

I rather suspect that the Ritz Carlton did not lament the loss of its previous site, I have been to the new Ritz Carlton probably over 150 times and it never ceases to amaze me, I was there recently dropping guests off at the Ozone Bar on the 118th floor of the building (and that is another story) and I have yet to find staff members at any other hotel in Hong Kong that compare to the Ritz Carlton boys and girls (and yes, that includes the Upper House and other famous 5 star properties) in the Ritz they go the extra 10,000 miles and then some

…. as they say, it is the little things.

That is not to say that it is perfect, no Hotel is and my big gripe is that it is nowhere near a good a location as they think it is, in fact it sucks big time, most people who go to the Hotel use the MTR (Subway) and the Hotel sits on top of Kowloon Station and it takes at least 10 minutes walking to get to the Hotel, you have to go through the Elements shopping mall and use multiple escalators in the Mall, (it is 8 minutes to the W Hotel, next door to the Ritz) ok, I admit if you take a taxi no problem, it should be noted that the Hotel entrance is on the 9th floor of the building NOT the ground floor)

At the end of the day it is a minor inconvenience but to me the Peninsula Hotel and the Mandarin Hotel are in perfect locations and easier to get to.

Much to my surprise I have actually learnt something about the ICC Building where the Ritz Carlton is located, like most people we have always assumed the building was 118 Floors simply because of the Ozone Bar which is on the 118th floor of the Hotel

Apparently not.

Officially and legally the building is 108 floors only ( a very, very lucky number) and that is that, for the reasons why it is 108 and not 118 floors, you need to read all my notes below for the story.

The History of the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Hong Kong

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Hong Kong: Historical Analysis

First Hotel: Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong

Timeline of the Project

1990–1993 (Planning and Development): The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong on Chater Road was developed as a luxury hotel in the heart of Hong Kong’s Central business district. Planning likely began in the early 1990s, aligning with Hong Kong’s economic boom and demand for high-end hospitality.

August 1993 (Opening): The hotel officially opened to the public, establishing itself as a premier luxury destination in Central.

January 31, 2008 (Closure): The hotel ceased operations after approximately 14.5 years.

2009 (Demolition): The building was demolished to make way for a new development.

Construction Details

Construction Began: Exact dates for the start of construction are not well-documented in available sources, but given the opening in August 1993, construction likely began around 1990–1991, assuming a typical 2–3 year construction period for a high-rise luxury hotel.

Construction Completed: Construction was completed by mid-1993, in time for the hotel’s opening in August 1993.

Cost of the Hotel: Specific construction costs for the Chater Road Ritz-Carlton are not publicly available in the provided sources or general records. Luxury hotel projects of this era in prime locations like Central, Hong Kong, typically cost hundreds of millions of USD, but precise figures are unavailable.

Ownership

Did The Ritz-Carlton Own the Building?: The Ritz-Carlton, as a brand under Marriott International, typically operates hotels under management agreements rather than owning the physical property. It is likely that The Ritz-Carlton did not own the Chater Road building. The property was likely owned by a real estate developer or investment group, such as Sun Hung Kai Properties or a similar entity, which are prominent in Hong Kong’s property market. Exact ownership details are not specified in available sources.

Architectural Style and Height

Style: The Chater Road Ritz-Carlton was a modern high-rise building designed to blend with the commercial aesthetic of Central, Hong Kong. While specific architectural details are sparse, it likely featured contemporary design elements typical of luxury hotels in the 1990s, with sleek facades, glass windows, and elegant interiors to reflect The Ritz-Carlton’s brand standards.

Height: The building was noted as one of the tallest structures demolished in Hong Kong, ranking among the top 10 tallest buildings ever demolished. However, exact height measurements are not provided in the sources. Given its prominence in Central, it was likely a mid-to-high-rise structure, possibly 20–30 stories, but not as tall as modern supertall skyscrapers like the ICC.

Closure and Demolition

Closure Date: The hotel closed on January 31, 2008.

Demolition Date: Demolition occurred in 2009.

Reason for Demolition: The building was demolished after a relatively short operational period due to the high value of the land in Central, one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world. The site was redeveloped into the CCB Tower, a commercial office building, to capitalize on the demand for premium office space. The decision reflects Hong Kong’s rapid urban redevelopment, where older structures are often replaced to maximize land value, even for relatively new buildings.

New Building

Opening of New Building: The CCB Tower, constructed on the site of the former Ritz-Carlton, opened in 2012.

Name: The new building is named the CCB Tower, likely associated with the China Construction Bank or a related entity.

Purchase and Construction Details: Specific details about the purchase price of the Chater Road site, the buyer, and the construction of the CCB Tower are not provided in the sources. It is likely that a major Hong Kong developer, such as Sun Hung Kai Properties or Henderson Land, acquired the site, given their dominance in Central’s real estate market. The CCB Tower was built to serve as a commercial office building, reflecting the area’s focus on financial institutions.

Interesting Facts and Notable Stories

One of the Tallest Demolished Buildings: The Chater Road Ritz-Carlton was among the top 10 tallest buildings ever demolished, highlighting its significance in Hong Kong’s skyline during its operation.

Short Operational Life: Operating for only 14.5 years (1993–2008), the hotel’s closure and demolition underscore the rapid pace of urban redevelopment in Hong Kong, where even relatively new luxury properties are replaced to maximize land value.

Central’s Prestige: The Chater Road location placed the hotel in the heart of Hong Kong’s financial district, near landmarks like the HSBC Building and the Legislative Council, making it a hub for business travelers and elite guests.

Lack of Public Nostalgia: Unlike some historic buildings, there is little documented public sentiment or notable stories about the Chater Road Ritz-Carlton in the provided sources, possibly due to its relatively short lifespan and the focus on its successor in the ICC.

Second Hotel: International Commerce Centre (ICC), Kowloon West

Timeline of the Project

2002–2005 (Planning and Early Development): The ICC was proposed as Kowloon Station Phase 7, with plans for a supertall skyscraper to house commercial offices, retail, and a luxury hotel. The Ritz-Carlton was likely integrated into the project during this phase.

2005 (Construction Began): Construction of the ICC commenced, led by Sanfield, a subsidiary of Sun Hung Kai Properties.

2010 (Construction Completed): The ICC was completed, becoming Hong Kong’s tallest building at 484 meters (1,588 ft) with 108 stories.

March 29, 2011 (Hotel Opening): The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong opened within the ICC, occupying floors 102 to 118.

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ICC Building, West Kowloon, home to the Ritz Carlton Hotel since 2011 and the main lobby is on floor 103 and the Ozone Bar is on floor 118 at the top of the building

Move to ICC

Relocation Date: The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong relocated from Chater Road to the ICC, opening on March 29, 2011, after the closure of the original hotel in 2008. The move was strategic, positioning the hotel in a modern, iconic skyscraper to maintain its status as a luxury destination.

Floors Occupied and Purpose

The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong occupies floors 102 to 118 of the ICC, totaling 17 floors. Below is a detailed breakdown of the purpose of each floor, based on available information:

Floor 102: Houses three dining venues: Tin Lung Heen (two-Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant), Tosca di Angelo (one-Michelin-starred Italian restaurant), and The Lounge & Bar (all-day dining with international cuisine).

Floor 103: Main lobby and check-in reception, featuring a dramatic ceiling mural and panoramic city views. Also hosts Café 103, offering lunch and dinner buffets and a signature chocolate afternoon tea.

Floors 104–105: Likely used for hotel operations, back-of-house facilities, or additional event spaces, though specific details are not provided in sources.

Floors 106–117: Guest rooms and suites, totaling 312 rooms. These include Deluxe Rooms, Harbour View Rooms, Club Rooms (with access to the Club Lounge), and various suites, such as the Executive Suite, Harbour View Suite, and the Presidential Suite on floor 117 (366 m² with a 270-degree view).

Floor 116: The Ritz-Carlton Spa (nine deluxe treatment rooms and two couple’s suites) and the Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge (offering complimentary food and beverages for Club-level guests).

Floor 118: Indoor infinity pool (with a 28m x 7m LED screen ceiling), outdoor Jacuzzi, fully equipped fitness center, and Ozone, the world’s highest rooftop bar at 490 meters above sea level.

Ownership of Floors

Does The Ritz-Carlton Own the Floors?: The Ritz-Carlton does not own the floors it occupies in the ICC. The ICC is owned by Sun Hung Kai Properties, a major Hong Kong developer. The Ritz-Carlton operates the hotel under a management agreement with Marriott International, leasing or managing the space from the property owner.

Ground Floor Space: The Ritz-Carlton does not own the ground floor space. The ICC’s lower levels, including the ground floor and the 9th-floor lobby, are part of the building’s shared infrastructure, managed by Sun Hung Kai Properties. The hotel’s main entrance is on the 9th floor, accessible via the Elements Mall or a dedicated entrance.

Construction and Ritz-Carlton Integration

Was ICC Built with Ritz-Carlton in Mind?: Yes, the ICC was designed with the intention of including a luxury hotel, specifically The Ritz-Carlton, on its upper floors. The original proposal for Kowloon Station Phase 7 included a five-star hotel, and The Ritz-Carlton was selected to occupy floors 102–118. The building’s design, by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) and Wong & Ouyang, incorporated spaces tailored for hotel operations, such as high-speed elevators and luxury amenities.

Number of Rooms: The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong has 312 guest rooms and suites, ranging from Deluxe Rooms (540 sq ft) to the Ritz-Carlton Suite (3,930 sq ft) on floor 117.

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ICC Building, West Kowloon, home to the Ritz Carlton Hotel - when you are this high up you can get some pretty magnificent views (except when it is foggy)

High-Speed Lift: Facts and Stories

Elevator Details: The ICC features one of the city’s fastest elevators, traveling at 30 ft per second (approximately 9 m/s or 32 km/h). It takes about 90 seconds to reach the 103rd-floor lobby from the 9th-floor entrance and 60 seconds to reach the Sky100 observation deck on the 100th floor.

Notable Facts:

The elevator ride is a highlight for guests, offering a swift ascent with stunning views as they arrive at the sky-high lobby. The speed and efficiency are designed to enhance the luxury experience, aligning with the hotel’s “in the clouds” branding.

The elevators require guest keycards to access hotel floors (106–117), ensuring security and exclusivity.

Stories:

Guests often describe the elevator ride as thrilling, with the rapid ascent and panoramic views setting the tone for the hotel’s elevated experience. For example, a reviewer noted the 90-second ride to the 103rd floor as a “dramatic” introduction to the hotel’s luxury.

The elevators connect directly to the Elements Mall and Kowloon Station, making the hotel highly accessible despite its height. One guest highlighted the convenience of arriving via the Airport Express train to the ICC’s basement and reaching the hotel in minutes.

Interesting Facts and Notable Stories

World’s Highest Hotel (2011–2020): Upon opening in 2011, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong was the world’s highest hotel, occupying floors 102–118 at 484 meters. It held this title until 2020, when it was surpassed by the Shanghai Tower.

Highest Swimming Pool and Bar: The 118th-floor infinity pool, with its mirrored ceiling and LED screen, holds a Guinness World Record as the “world’s highest swimming pool in a building” at 468.8 meters. Ozone, also on the 118th floor, is the highest rooftop bar in the world, offering 360-degree views and signature cocktails.

Michelin-Starred Dining: The hotel features two Michelin-starred restaurants: Tin Lung Heen (two stars, Cantonese) and Tosca di Angelo (one star, Italian), both on floor 102, making it a culinary destination.

Club Lounge Excellence: The 116th-floor Club Lounge is praised for its all-day complimentary offerings, including breakfast, afternoon tea, and happy hour, with personalized service. Guests like Vanessa and Joe Ku have been highlighted for exceptional service, organizing everything from Rolls-Royce transfers to spa bookings.

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It’s the little things that set the Ritz Carlton Hotel apart, I was sat in the 9th floor lobby or ground floor lobby and this young lady, a Ritz Carlton employee actually brought me a chilled bottle of water without my asking for one… the little things……

Notable Guest Experiences:

A guest recounted concierge Emily Chui personally escorting them to their room for check-in, providing her contact number for ongoing assistance, showcasing the hotel’s commitment to personalized service.

Another guest, Harriet Sime, described the surreal experience of staying “in the clouds” during foggy weather, with views obscured but the hotel’s luxury and staff attentiveness making the stay memorable.

Film Location: The ICC, including The Ritz-Carlton, was featured in the 2011 Hong Kong action film Cold War, starring Aaron Kwok and Tony Leung Ka-fai, adding to its cultural significance.

LED Light Show: The ICC’s exterior hosts a Guinness World Record-breaking LED light and sound show across 50,000 m² of its facade, designed by Hirohito Totsune, enhancing the building’s prominence and complementing the hotel’s luxurious image.

Conclusion

The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong’s history reflects the dynamic evolution of Hong Kong’s urban landscape. The original Chater Road hotel (1993–2008) was a short-lived but prestigious property, demolished to make way for the CCB Tower due to the high value of Central’s real estate. Its successor in the ICC, opened in 2011, redefined luxury by occupying the top floors of Hong Kong’s tallest building, offering unmatched views, world-record amenities, and exceptional service.

The move to the ICC positioned The Ritz-Carlton as a global icon, with its high-speed elevators, Michelin-starred dining, and sky-high facilities creating a unique guest experience. Both properties underscore The Ritz-Carlton’s commitment to luxury, adapted to Hong Kong’s fast-paced, vertical urban environment.

I still had some issues I wanted to clear up about the Ritz Carlton so……..

Thank you for your comments regarding The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, and for sharing your experience as a frequent visitor. I’ll address each point with clarity and precision, using available information and acknowledging any limitations.

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I took this in the Ritz Carlton Lounge on Floor 116 - the window cleaner must have nerves of steel and presumably he is paid a large amount of money to do this!

Discrepancy in ICC Building Floors (108 vs. 118)

The discrepancy you’ve noted arises from inconsistent or outdated information in some sources about the International Commerce Centre (ICC) building in Hong Kong, where The Ritz-Carlton is located. Let’s clarify:

Official Floor Count of ICC: The International Commerce Centre has 108 floors above ground, as confirmed by architectural and official records, including the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) and the building’s own documentation. It is a 484-meter skyscraper completed in 2010, making it the tallest building in Hong Kong and among the tallest globally.

Ritz-Carlton’s Floor Designation (102–118): The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, occupies floors 102 to 118, as consistently stated across multiple reliable sources, including the hotel’s official website, travel reviews, and industry publications. This range includes the hotel’s lobby on the 103rd floor, guest rooms, dining venues, spa, and the rooftop bar and pool on the 118th floor.

Explanation of the Discrepancy: The reference to “118 floors” in some sources (e.g., The Luxury Editor and Telegraph Travel) appears to be an error or a misinterpretation, possibly due to the hotel’s marketing emphasis on occupying the “highest floors” up to 118, which may lead to confusion with the building’s total floor count.

The ICC itself does not have 118 floors; the highest floor is 108, but the hotel uses a numbering convention that includes mezzanine, utility, or specially designated floors (e.g., 116 for the spa, 118 for the pool and Ozone bar). This is a common practice in skyscrapers, where floor numbers may exceed the actual count due to skipped numbers, double-height floors, or marketing-driven labeling (e.g., designating the topmost usable floor as “118” for prestige). Additionally, some sources may have conflated the hotel’s top floor with the building’s total height.

Conclusion:

The ICC has 108 floors above ground, and The Ritz-Carlton operates on floors labeled 102 to 118 within that structure. The “118 floors” claim is likely a miscommunication or stylistic choice in some reviews, not reflective of the building’s actual floor count. If you encounter specific sources citing 118 floors for the ICC, they are incorrect based on authoritative architectural data.

Luggage Assistance from Airport Express Kowloon MTR Station

This issue has been bugging me for years and I guess the Hotel policy is simply to ignore it and trust that the guest will experience an amazing stay and forget the trivial matters.

Except it is not a trivial matter, that 19 minute walk from Kowloon Station to the 9th Floor lobby is a pain in the butt particularly if you have luggage and the signs in the mall can be confusing, and you have to go up multiple escalators - I have never seen a Hotel employee in Kowloon Station or the mall

Yes, perhaps I am making too big a deal about this and it may even be conceivable that every single guest arrives at the 9th floor lobby in a taxi, Uber etc but a lot of Hotels in Hong Kong like the Ritz have multiple restaurants and very high end ones and they rely a lot on local residents to keep the restaurants busy, and local residents may well use the subway (like me) and that walk is a pain!

Your observation about the 10-minute walk from the Kowloon MTR Station (Airport Express) to the 9th-floor lobby of The Ritz-Carlton, involving multiple escalators, is consistent with guest experiences. The ICC is connected to Kowloon Station via the Elements Mall, but navigating with luggage can be cumbersome. Let’s address your query about luggage assistance:

Current Practices: Reviews indicate that The Ritz-Carlton provides attentive service upon arrival at the hotel’s ground-level entrance (9th floor of the ICC). Bellhops and staff are described as promptly taking luggage, tagging it, and escorting guests to the high-speed elevator for the 103rd-floor lobby. One review highlights a thoughtful touch: staff provide a slip with taxi driver details in case items are left behind, suggesting a high level of care at the hotel entrance.

Luggage Assistance from Kowloon MTR Station: There is no explicit mention in available sources of The Ritz-Carlton sending staff directly to the Kowloon MTR Station or Airport Express platform to collect luggage. However, the hotel’s emphasis on personalized service and its proximity to the station (via Elements Mall) suggests that such assistance could be arranged upon request. For instance:

Reviews praise the hotel’s concierge and bell services for proactively assisting with luggage once guests reach the hotel entrance. Staff like Wesley (Bell Services) are noted for bringing luggage to rooms and ensuring guest comfort.

hotel’s luxury car service for airport transfers implies a willingness to customize guest experiences, which could extend to arranging luggage pickup from the station if coordinated in advance.

Practical Considerations: The walk through Elements Mall from Kowloon Station to the ICC’s 9th-floor entrance is described as confusing by some guests, particularly with luggage. One source recommends calling the hotel for walking directions, indicating that staff are responsive to navigational queries.

Given your frequent visits, contacting the concierge or guest services team (e.g., via phone at +852 2263 2263) before arriving could confirm whether they can dispatch staff to meet you at the station or provide a cart or porter service through the mall.

Comparison to Other Hotels: The Peninsula Hong Kong, for example, is known for sending staff to assist with luggage at transport hubs like the Star Ferry or nearby MTR stations, especially for VIP guests. While The Ritz-Carlton’s service is highly rated, it’s unclear if they offer this level of station-side assistance without prior arrangement.

Recommendation: Given your experience with the lengthy walk, I suggest contacting The Ritz-Carlton’s concierge or guest relations (e.g., via email or phone) before your next visit to request luggage assistance from the Kowloon MTR Station. Their track record of personalized service (e.g., arranging birthday surprises, expedited check-ins) suggests they would accommodate such a request, possibly by sending a bellhop or coordinating a luxury car pickup directly from the station.

Summary

ICC Floor Count: The ICC has 108 floors, and The Ritz-Carlton occupies floors labeled 102 to 118. The “118 floors” claim in some sources is likely a misinterpretation of the hotel’s top floor designation, not the building’s total height.

Luxury Car Fleet: The Ritz-Carlton offers luxury car services, including Rolls-Royces for airport transfers (e.g., HKD 2,000), but it lacks a branded, in-house fleet comparable to The Peninsula’s iconic Rolls-Royce and Bentley collection. A complimentary car service is available for local drop-offs in Kowloon.

Luggage Assistance: While The Ritz-Carlton provides excellent luggage handling at the hotel entrance, there’s no direct evidence of staff meeting guests at Kowloon MTR Station. However, their personalized service suggests you can arrange this by contacting the concierge in advance.

So there you go, everything you wanted to know about the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Hong Kong and then some.

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