Wan Chai is a chaotic, beautiful mess of old-school wet markets, gleaming skyscrapers, and neon-lit bars that have seen way too much. Right in the middle of this sensory overload sits Hotel Indigo Hong Kong Island an IHG Hotel, a place that somehow manages to feel like a quiet neighborhood secret despite being a gold-medal-winning architectural statement.
Honestly, most people heading to Hong Kong for the first time default to the massive, towering brands in Central or Tsim Sha Tsui because they want that predictable "I’m in a big city" vibe. But if you’ve actually spent time on the ground here, you know that the real soul of the island isn't in a marble-clad lobby with a 50-foot ceiling. It’s in the streets.
The Glass Bottom Pool and the Architecture of Wan Chai
Let's talk about the thing everyone sees on Instagram first: the pool.
It hangs off the edge of the building. Literally. It’s a cantilevered infinity pool on the 29th floor, and if you swim to the very end, you’re looking through a thick pane of glass straight down onto the bustling pavement of Queen’s Road East. It’s terrifying for a split second. Then it’s just cool.
But the building itself, designed by Aedas, isn't just a gimmick. The exterior has these weird, bronze solar fins that wrap around it like a dragon. That’s intentional. It’s a nod to the local culture, specifically the fire dragon dances that happen nearby. While most IHG properties can feel a bit "cookie-cutter" once you step inside, this one actually tries to tell you where you are.
Neighborhood Vibes vs. Corporate Comfort
Most hotels claim they "reflect the local neighborhood," but usually, that just means they put a picture of a local landmark in the hallway. At Hotel Indigo Hong Kong Island, the rooms are actually themed around the history of Wan Chai. You might find a mosaic of a postal worker—a nod to the Old Wan Chai Post Office just down the street—or custom furniture that looks like it was plucked from a 1960s tea house.
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The rooms aren't huge. Welcome to Hong Kong. But they are smart. You get these floor-to-ceiling windows that make the room feel twice as big as it is, and the bathrooms are surprisingly spacious with rainfall showers that actually have decent water pressure. It's a boutique feel with the safety net of IHG’s reliability.
Why Location Actually Matters Here
If you stay in Central, you're surrounded by bankers and high-end malls. If you stay in Wan Chai, you're in the mix.
Hotel Indigo Hong Kong Island an IHG Hotel is about a five-minute walk from the Wan Chai MTR station. That’s your golden ticket. From there, you’re two stops from the financial district or a short ferry ride away from Kowloon. But honestly, the best part is just walking out the front door.
You’ve got the Blue House cluster nearby—a set of four-story balcony-style tenements that are some of the last remaining examples of Lingnan-style architecture. Then you have the Star Street Precinct, which is basically the Soho of Wan Chai, filled with tiny galleries and coffee shops where people spend $60 HKD on a flat white without blinking.
The Food Situation
Don't just eat in the hotel. I mean, the breakfast at Indicolite is fine, and the rooftop bar, Skybar, is great for a gin and tonic while the sun sets behind the skyscrapers. But you’re in Wan Chai.
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Walk three minutes. Find a cha chaan teng. Order the silk stocking milk tea and a pineapple bun with a thick slab of cold butter. This is where the city really lives. You can get a Michelin-recommended meal for the price of a sandwich in London or New York just by wandering into the alleyways behind the hotel.
The Reality Check: What Most Reviews Miss
I’m not going to tell you it’s perfect. If you’re traveling with a family of five and three massive suitcases, you’re going to feel cramped. This is a city hotel for urban explorers, solo business travelers who hate sterile environments, and couples who want a bit of "cool" with their stay.
The elevators can be a bit slow during peak checkout times because, again, it’s a skinny Hong Kong building. And because you’re in the heart of a working district, there’s always construction somewhere. That’s not the hotel’s fault—that’s just the soundtrack of Hong Kong.
Also, keep in mind that "Hong Kong Island" is a big place. Some people book this thinking they’ll be right next to the Peak Tram or the IFC. You aren't. You're in the "Old Meets New" section. It's better, in my opinion, but it’s a different vibe than the suit-and-tie energy of the central business district.
Navigating the Logistics Like a Local
If you're flying into HKG, don't take a taxi all the way to the hotel unless you have zero budget concerns and a lot of patience for traffic. Take the Airport Express to Hong Kong Station, then either hop in a quick Uber or take the MTR to Wan Chai. It’s faster, cheaper, and you get to see the skyline emerge as you move through the city.
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The IHG One Rewards program actually carries some weight here. Since this is a "Boutique" brand under their umbrella, you can often find better point redemption values here than at the Crowne Plaza or the InterContinental. If you have Diamond or Platinum status, the upgrades often manifest as rooms on higher floors, which, in a city this vertical, makes a massive difference in terms of light and noise.
Hidden Details to Look For
- The Stairwell: Most people take the lift. Don't. Or at least, take the stairs once. There’s artwork and localized details hidden in the emergency exits that most guests never see.
- The Mini-Bar: They usually stock some local snacks. It's a small touch, but it beats a generic bag of chips.
- The View from the Top: Even if you aren't a big drinker, go to Skybar at night. The way the light reflects off the surrounding glass towers is something you can’t get from a street-level view.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
If you’ve decided that Hotel Indigo Hong Kong Island an IHG Hotel is your base, here is how to actually make the most of it without looking like a clueless tourist.
- Request a Corner Room: The layout of the building means corner rooms often have dual-aspect windows. In a city as dense as this, that extra perspective is everything.
- Download the "HK " App: Use it to navigate the bus system. The trams (locally called "Ding Dings") run right along Johnston Road, a stone's throw from the hotel. They are the slowest but most atmospheric way to see the island for about $3 HKD.
- Check the Rooftop Schedule: Sometimes they host private events. Make sure the pool isn't closed for a corporate party before you plan your "glass-bottom swim."
- Explore the Markets Early: The Wan Chai wet market is active by 7:00 AM. It’s gritty, loud, and smells like fresh fish and ginger. It’s the perfect antidote to the air-conditioned luxury of the hotel.
- Use the Nespresso: Every room has one. It's a standard feature, but when you're jet-lagged at 4:00 AM and the city hasn't quite woken up yet, that first hit of caffeine while watching the fog roll over the Peak is a vibe.
Choosing a place to stay in Hong Kong usually comes down to a trade-off between price, space, and soul. This place manages to hit the sweet spot where you don't feel like just another room number, and you don't have to sacrifice the modern amenities that make travel bearable. It's not the cheapest, and it's certainly not the biggest, but it feels like the version of Hong Kong that people actually want to remember.
Skip the boring business hotels in Central. Go to Wan Chai. Swim in the air. Eat some street food. That's the real trip.