Hong Kong Disneyland’s third hotel has opened after a long wait. Prudence Lui spends a night, exploring its verdant gardens and revelling in the magic that is Disney
Location
The seven-storey hotel straddles a block of land along Magic Road between Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Hollywood Hotel.
Rooms
This 750-room hotel is divided into four wings, each overlooking a lush themed garden named after a Disney character, and celebrates different areas around the world.
I stayed in the spacious Sea View Room in Kevin’s Garden; named after the curious bird in the animation Up. From my room I could see the South China Sea, and part of Discovery Bay. There were two queen-size beds, making it possible to accommodate a family of four. (For larger families, 70 per cent of the rooms in the hotel are inter-connected.) I liked that the toilet and the shower area was separate from the sink, as this meant two people could wash up at the same time.
What was interesting was the touchscreen telephone, which had a storytelling function and could play Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc and The Little Mermaid in Mandarin, Cantonese and English.
There were only two USB plugs available in the room, which caused a minor inconvenience as I had quite a few gadgets to recharge.
F&B
There are three dining outlets, all located on the ground floor. The 248-seat Dragon Wind serves breakfast, lunch buffet and an à la carte dinner menu featuring Chinese fare. It’s the only outlet with two private dining rooms.
The 164-seat World of Colour Restaurant offers international à la carte dining, while the 138-seat Chart Room Café serves light refreshments and coffee.
Facilities
Apart from the usual facilities like a swimming pool and retail store, the hotel’s themed gardens is a treasure trove of 170,000 plants comprising 700 species. I was delighted to stroll the area and admire the unique plants such as the flat top acacia from Africa.
In addition, the hotel also features more than 1,000 artefacts spanning antique toys to textiles from countries like Mali, Costa Rica, Bolivia and the Ivory Coast.
The 14 check-in counters at the lobby ensured swift and efficient check-in and check-out. There are hidden Mickeys on the world map behind the reception desk and a cartoon TV corner next to it – a sure hit with kids.
Also keep an eye out for the expedition team comprising Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy who sometimes make unscheduled appearances in the lobby.
Meanwhile, the public transport service makes it easy for guests to visit the theme park or the other hotels.
Service
The staff were patient and attentive. Service was also efficient – I phoned the operator to borrow an iron and board, which were quickly delivered to my room.
Verdict
The Disney magic is real.
No of rooms 750
Rate From HK$2,200 (US$282)
Contact details
Telephone: (852) 3510 2000
Website: www.hongkongdisneyland.com/hotels/disney-explorers-lodge
