You’ve probably seen the glass-walled swimming pool on Instagram. It’s that iconic, crystal-clear rooftop tank where people look like they’re suspended in mid-air against the backdrop of the Hong Kong skyline. That’s the Harbour Grand Kowloon. But honestly, a cool pool doesn't always make a great hotel stay, especially in a city as competitive and expensive as Hong Kong. People get confused because there are actually two "Harbour Grand" properties in the city—one on the Hong Kong Island side (North Point) and this one, located in Whampoa, Hung Hom.
If you book the wrong one, you're looking at a very different commute.
The Harbour Grand Kowloon sits right on the edge of the Victoria Harbour. It’s big. It’s flashy. With over 900 rooms, it’s a bit of a beast to navigate, but it has this specific "old school luxury" vibe that you either love or find a bit dated. Let’s get into the weeds of what staying here is actually like, beyond the marketing photos.
The Location Gamble: Whampoa vs. Tsim Sha Tsui
Most tourists want to be in the thick of it. They want the neon lights of Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) or the chaos of Central. The Harbour Grand Kowloon is not in the thick of it. It is in Whampoa.
Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily.
Whampoa is a largely residential neighborhood famous for having a giant shopping mall shaped like a boat—the The Whampoa (formerly known as the Whampoa Whampoa). Staying here means you get a break from the claustrophobia of Nathan Road. You’ve got the promenade right outside the door, which is hands-down one of the best places for a morning run or a sunset stroll without being shoved by a thousand selfie sticks.
Getting around is actually easier than it used to be. The Whampoa MTR station (Kwun Tong Line) is about a five-to-eight-minute walk away. From there, you can zip over to Mong Kok or jump across to the island. The hotel also runs a private shuttle bus to TST, which is a lifesaver when the humidity hits 90% and you can't be bothered to figure out the subway. Oh, and the ferry pier is right there. You can hop on a ferry to North Point or Central, which is honestly the most "Hong Kong" way to travel. It’s cheap, breezy, and the views are better than any rooftop bar.
That Iconic Glass-Walled Pool
Let’s talk about the pool because that’s why half the people book this place. It’s located on the 21st floor. It is indeed spectacular.
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Seeing the Star Ferry crawl across the water while you’re underwater is a trip. But here is the reality check: it gets crowded. Because it’s such a "destination" pool, everyone is there for the photo. If you actually want to swim laps, you’ll be dodging influencers and families with giant inflatable ducks.
The pool is seasonal. This is a big one people miss. If you show up in the dead of January expecting to swim in that glass box, you might be disappointed if it's closed for maintenance or just too cold (it's not always heated to "bath water" levels). Check the dates before you pack your swim gear. The surrounding deck area is great, though, and the fitness center attached to it has some of the best treadmill views in the world. Seriously, it makes running almost tolerable.
Room Realities: Harbour View or Bust?
The rooms at the Harbour Grand Kowloon vary wildly. You have the older "Superior" and "Deluxe" rooms which feel a bit like a 1990s executive suite—lots of beige, heavy wood, and thick carpets. Then you have the renovated suites and the "Tower" section which are much more contemporary.
If you don't book a Harbour View room, you are basically missing the point of this hotel.
The "Court View" rooms look out over the surrounding apartment blocks. They are fine. They are clean. They are spacious by Hong Kong standards (where some hotel rooms are basically walk-in closets). But the Harbour View? That’s where the magic happens. The floor-to-ceiling windows wrap around the corners in some suites, giving you a 270-degree look at the water. At night, when the buildings on the island light up, it’s better than any TV show.
A Note on the Bathrooms
Interestingly, the hotel is known for its marble bathrooms. Most have separate soaking tubs and walk-in showers. In a city where "wet rooms" (where the shower is just a nozzle over the toilet) are common in budget hotels, this is a genuine luxury. The water pressure is solid. The amenities are decent. It feels like a proper five-star setup, even if the decor isn't cutting-edge.
Dining and the "Promenade" Buffet
Hong Kong is a food city, so hotel dining has to be top-tier to compete. The Promenade restaurant is the flagship here. Their seafood buffet is legendary among locals. You’ll see long lines of Hong Kong residents coming here for Sunday brunch or Friday night dinner. We’re talking mountains of Alaskan King Crab legs, fresh sashimi, and usually a pretty impressive dessert spread.
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But if you aren't a buffet person, Robatayaki is the hidden gem. It’s a Japanese grill restaurant that has been around for decades. It has this rustic, dark-wood interior that feels totally different from the rest of the marble-heavy hotel. It’s pricey, but the quality of the wagyu and the grilled seafood is legit.
For something more casual, there’s a Starbucks right in the lobby area and plenty of local cha chaan tengs (Hong Kong cafes) within a five-minute walk. You’re also near a Don Don Donki (the Japanese discount paradise) in Whampoa, which is great for grabbing weird snacks and high-quality bento boxes to bring back to the room.
The Business Factor
A lot of people stay here for conventions. It’s close to the Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre (KITEC) and not too far from the Hung Hom station if you’re taking the train to mainland China.
The grand ballroom is massive. Like, "massive chandeliers and 600-person wedding" massive. Because of this, the lobby can feel a bit like a train station during peak check-in and check-out times or when a large wedding party is arriving. If you’re looking for a tiny, intimate boutique experience where the staff knows your name, this isn't it. This is a well-oiled machine. It handles volume.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that the Harbour Grand Kowloon is "out of the way." People see it on a map and think it’s in the suburbs. It’s not. You can get to TST in ten minutes. You can get to Central in twenty.
Another thing: the "Grand" in the name isn't just for show. It’s a big, sprawling property. If you have mobility issues, be prepared for some walking. The walk from the elevators to the far end of the hallways can be a trek. Also, the lobby is famous for its "staircase to nowhere" (well, it goes to the mezzanine), which is a prime spot for wedding photos. Don't be surprised if you have to dodge a bride or three on a Saturday afternoon.
Is it worth the price tag?
The Harbour Grand Kowloon usually sits in that "mid-to-high" price bracket. It’s cheaper than the Peninsula or the Rosewood, but pricier than the standard business hotels in TST.
You’re paying for three things:
- The View.
- The Pool.
- The Space.
If those three things are high on your priority list, it’s a slam dunk. If you plan on being out of your room from 8 AM to 11 PM every day and just need a bed, you might be paying for amenities you won't use.
Actionable Advice for Your Stay
- Book the Ferry: Skip the MTR for at least one trip. Take the ferry from the Hung Hom pier (right outside the hotel) to North Point or Central. It costs a few dollars and offers a world-class view.
- Request a High Floor: The lower-level Harbour View rooms can sometimes have their view partially obstructed by the promenade trees or the pier structure. The higher you go, the more "floating" the room feels.
- Explore Whampoa: Don't just eat in the hotel. Walk five minutes into the Whampoa estate. There are incredible noodle shops, bakeries, and bubble tea spots that are much cheaper and more "authentic" than the hotel's room service.
- Check the Pool Schedule: If the pool is your main reason for booking, call or email ahead to ensure it isn't closed for a private event or seasonal maintenance during your dates.
- Use the Shuttle: The hotel shuttle to Tsim Sha Tsui is frequent and drops you off near the Middle Road, which is perfect for shopping or hitting the Star Ferry.
If you want the classic Hong Kong "harbour life" experience without the claustrophobia of the main tourist strips, this place is hard to beat. Just make sure you get that harbour view—otherwise, you're just staying in a very nice, very large building in a quiet neighborhood.
Next Steps for Your Trip Planning
Verify the current "Club Lounge" access rules if you are booking a suite. The Harbour Club on the top floors offers a private breakfast and evening cocktails with some of the best views in the building, often making the extra cost worth it for the food and drink savings alone. Check your booking platform specifically for "Tower" rooms if you prefer modern decor over the classic marble-and-wood aesthetic of the original wing. Additionally, download the "HKG My Flight" app or use the MTR website to track the ferry schedules from Hung Hom, as they are less frequent than the TST-Central route.