The Murray. Jeeves De Veyra

HONG KONG -- For travelers looking to experience a different side of Hong Kong, The Murray is a showcase of how to repurpose an architectural heritage structure of yesteryears into a world-class hotel for this generation of travelers.

In its heyday, The Murray used to be a government office. The building was so iconic that instead of tearing it down, the Hong Kong government asked for proposals on ways to restore it and give it a second life. It was China-based luxury hotel chain Niccolo Hotels’ vision for the building that stood out.

It took years of work to have what it is today. Up until now, the government still works with the Niccolo group as symbolized by helping in the care of the Old and Valuable Tree (OVT) in the outer courtyard. As the only registered OVT of its species in Hong Kong, the tree is a part of the hotel in itself, especially in the late summer when it becomes a blanket of pink and white.

The OVT at Murray. Jeeves De Veyra

Buildings would get attention because of their lines. But in The Murray’s case, its distinctive features are its curves -- more specifically, the towering arches that grace the first few floors of the building. The floors used to be parking areas and if you look hard enough, one will notice nondescript ramps and roadways that connected the building to the streets once upon a time.  Even the parking driveway was retained as part of the hotel’s event space, enabling them to host special meetups like sportscar launches and car club meetups where exhibitors and owners can simply drive their autos up to the venue.

Driveway arches at The Murray. Jeeves De Veyra

Dine

The Murray’s elegance extends to the hotel’s cafes and restaurants. On the ground floor is the bar which is kept busy by the bankers from the nearby commercial district who are unwinding after a long day. On the mezzanine is the all-day dining Terrace Café with an al fresco area and a live band performing on most nights. For breakfast, the Terrace Café has a semi-buffet where guests have one main course and buffet stations of appetizers, breads, and desserts. One thing I appreciated is the dim sum station that has a selection of siu mai and rolls.

Terrace Cafe. Jeeves De Veyra

Hotel breakfast. Jeeves De Veyra

On the top floor of the hotel is Popinjays which is where you can get some privacy and quiet time, with a commanding view of the business district on one side and a clear vista of the Mid-Levels of Hong Kong on the other. Come for their high tea sets and the libations at the bar.

High Tea at Popinjays. Jeeves De Veyra

At Popinjays. Jeeves De Veyra

For coffee lovers, The Murray’s coffee is a hidden gem one must not miss. The latte art on the breakfast buffet coffee is an indication that the coffee isn’t some weak cup taken from an automatic machine. Rather, this is espresso hand-pulled by the baristas of the café. Stop by later when things calm down for a pour over with their specialty coffee beans. They had coffee fermented in a whisky barrel rich with toffee and oak notes when we stopped by.

Niccolo Coffee. Jeeves De Veyra

As a bonus, The Niccolo Coffee Cart outside the hotel is a treat. This is surprisingly one of the most affordable places to get really good cups of coffee in Hong Kong. The baristas even boast that customers have abandoned more popular coffee chains to get their daily caffeine fix.

The Niccolo Coffee Cart. Jeeves De Veyra

Stay 

There are little touches of thoughtful design all around the hotel. All the elevator lobbies are decorated with a work of art. And speaking of elevators, The Murray is perhaps the only building I've seen with seats inside the cars, a nice touch I appreciated after a long walk.

The 336 rooms are massive, as expected from an upper-tier Hong Kong five-star hotel. Niccolo Hotel touches are seen all over the superior room with the double bed, to the deluxe rooms comfy enough for couples on their honeymoon, all the way to the suites that are just expressions of opulence.

The standard room. Jeeves De Veyra

All the rooms’ windows are flushed in to keep them cool and away from the sun. Each room has a standard work desk should one have a pesky email or two to take care of. For the room’s toiletries, The Murray uses the Australian bodycare brand Grown Alchemist in the bathrooms. The bathroom even has “magic glass” panels that turn smoky opaque at the touch of the button.

Murray’s gigantic suites are jaw-dropping with exquisite interiors, with a luxe Ciclotte exercise bike that is straight out of a science fiction movie as its centerpiece.

The Murray Suite. Jeeves De Veyra

The hotel does have a gym and an indoor swimming pool complete with a relaxation chamber that reminded me of one of those sensory deprivation pods that totally mute out all sounds from the outside. There are small touches like having ziplock bags available for wet clothes should one want to take a swim right before flying out.

Out and about

I’d say forego the treadmill and work up a sweat by exploring the Cotton Tree area. This has something for everybody within a few steps of the hotel.  Start with a walk around the lush greenery and the aviary of Hong Kong Park, or hop on to the Peak Tram that brings tourists to get a breathtaking view of the Fragrant Harbor.

While The Murray is already a treat for architecture geeks, Hong Kong's wonders like the bridgelike HSBC Building and I.M. Pei’s Bank of China buildings are close by which merits close inspection. The Lan Kwai Fong area is still walkable from the Murray but worth the effort for its collection of niche coffee shops and bars.

If one really must venture out, public buses that go to all parts of Hong Kong are available on the streets bordering the hotel.

The Murray's hotel exterior. Jeeves De Veyra

The Murray is a destination in itself. I’d say that this isn’t the hotel to pick should you be planning to spend most of your time outdoors, seeing the sights, or taking the kids to Ocean Park or Hong Kong Disneyland. Rather, it’s a reason to book an additional couple of days, just rest and relax, and see Hong Kong in a different light.

The Murray is located at 22 Cotton Tree Drive, Central, Hong Kong. Check out Niccolo Hotels' website for rates, reservations, and more information.