I stayed at the beautiful AKI Hong Kong MGallery Hotel Tatami Room during my latest visit to Hong Kong. I stayed there for 3 nights and specifically chose the Tatami room. How was the stay ? Read on to find out.
Table of Contents
My Personal Experiences with MGallery Hotels in Hong Kong
The AKI Hong Kong MGallery Hotel is not the first MGallery hotel I stayed in Hong Kong. That honour goes to the Silveri Hong Kong-MGallery hotel at Tung Chung which has really become one of my favourite hotels (despite the fact it is out of town or perhaps because it is out of town and close to the Airport). I have stayed at the Silveri 3 times and very happy with that.
And hence it is not surprising when my buddy chose this sister hotel in downtown Wan Chai’ area and I quickly agreed. It is a 8-minute walk to Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and also a 5-minute walk to Wan Chai MTR station.
How to get to AKI Hong Kong MGallery Hotel
At Wan Chai MTR, Exit at A2 Exit and walk down shops and shops selling interior design and household appliances. Reminds me of Jalan Besar or Balestier Road in Singapore.
The hotel is right next to its Accor neighbour hotel, the Novotel Hong Kong too.
The hotel building with the words AKI clearly shown. It really stands out in the numerous “older looking” Wan Chai buildings around it. Nestled in the vibrant streets of Wan Chai, AKI Hong Kong – M Gallery stands as a tranquil Japanese-inspired retreat amid the city’s bustling energy.
About AKI Hong Kong MGallery Hotel : A Japanese-Inspired Haven in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai
AKI Hong Kong – M Gallery Hotel merges Japanese tranquility with urban convenience since its 2022 opening. The 173-room boutique property embodies ‘Omotenashi’ principles through thoughtful design and attentive service. Guests exercise with cityscape panoramas from the top-floor fitness center. As evening descends, the hotel transforms into a perfect vantage point for Hong Kong’s illuminated skyline.
AKI Hong Kong MGallery Hotel Lobby
Just like the Silveri hotel at Tung Chung, the AKI Hong Kong MGallery reminds me of Japan. With its “Muji” style even at the lobby. There is this large table at the hotel lobby that people sit down to do their work. Not sure if they are hotel guests or just day workers who rent a space from the hotel.
There is even a Japanese style small garden right next to the check in lobby.
AKI Hong Kong MGallery Hotel Tatami Room
We are there for the Tatami room of the hotel. The hotel’s tranquil aesthetics draw from traditional Ryokan principles, reimagined for modern travelers seeking both efficiency and restoration. So how did it looked.
Beautiful. Romantic……
Entrance to my room.. Excited…
Wow.. when entering the room, you are treated to this walkway into the room.
Welcome to the room….
The room is pretty exposed to the nearby buildings including the Novotel hotel rooms and an old looking Wan Chai apartment. If you are a person who needs to be half naked and walk around your hotel room like a boss, this might not be suitable for you. But then there are blinds….
Here’s another view of the nearby buildings from the shower/toilet area of the room.
You get used to it. And there are very good day and night blinds too. Just learn to use it well π This is how nice it looked when the blinds are down. Romantic actually.
If you look down from your room, you can see the very busy Wan Chai roads..
Right next to the hotel is the bridge to Wan Chai waterfront which makes it a great place to explore the beautiful Victoria harbour. I also did a short hike to East Coast Boardwalk of Hong Kong.
The tatami bed…
If there is one problem, I am just not used to sleeping on the tatami bed (it being on the floor). The pillows are also very uncomfortable in size (either too small or too big). I did not have good sleep in the room for three nights. That’s probably an issue with me, being a 53 year old man, needing a proper bed. I slept like a log when I moved to a proper bed in Silveri hotel on my last night in Hong Kong.
There are separate rooms for shower and toilet.
The toilet is automated and Japanese style controls. I love it.
There is a small coffee cupboard next to the toilet which is pretty well stocked.
There is space for double basins and at the cupboard below the basins are the rubbish bins as well as a fridge and lots of towels too.
And yes, just like the Changi Capri by Fraser (now Dorsett Changi) hotel, there is my beloved Malin+Goetz Collection of toiletries. Shampoo, Body Wash, Handwash, Moisturiser etc.
There is also a need for you to know that as part of the Hong Kong laws, the hotel will not provide any toiletries. You can buy a set from them at HKD10 or at the nearby Seven-Eleven. No big deal. Here’s the pack I bought.
Going back to the entrance of the room is where there is a cupboard for your clothes and a safe etc.
The Gym : The Panoramic Fitness Experience on the Top Floor
I very seldom talk about a gym in a hotel for travelling but really I must do justice to the AKI Hong Kong MGallery Hotel Gym. Crowning AKI Hong Kong’s 24-storey building, the fitness centre offers more than just exercise equipment. It delivers a workout experience framed by Hong Kong’s dramatic cityscape. The view is nice.
The LifeFitness multi-gym station and cardio machines provide extensive fitness benefits while floor-to-ceiling windows reveal panoramic vistas of skyscrapers, mountains and the harbour.
Experience state-of-the-art fitness equipment against Hong Kong’s breathtaking urban and natural landscapes through panoramic wall-to-wall windows.
The thoughtfully designed space encourages scenic workouts that engage both body and mind. A single workout bench and dumbbell rack complete the essential training options, while complimentary bottled water guarantees guests remain hydrated.
Nice Food Around The Hotel
As it is at Wan Chai area, there is no need for me to point out the good food around. But hey, right next to the hotel are two places you might want to check.
First is Joy Hing Roasted Meat εθηθι£―εΊ at Wan Chai which I have visited many years back. It is closed on Sunday though so make sure you plan accordingly.
Just a little walk from Joy Hing Roasted Meat εθηθι£―εΊ at Wan Chai is the very famous Kam’s Roast Goose at 226 Hennessy Road. The outstanding C Dessert store is reasonably near too.
But why go so far…. Just right opposite the hotel is the cha chang tang of WaSo Cafe (Google Map Link). Waso isΒ a popular cha chaan teng, or tea restaurant, in Hong Kong, known for its classic Hong Kong-style Western comfort foods.Β It’s a must-visit for anyone looking to experience a taste of local Hong Kong cuisine, particularly its sandwiches, pineapple buns, and noodle dishes.
It is literally opposite the hotel so there is no excuse not to have your favourite cha chang tang food there ! My dinner that I tasted at Wan So is sooooo good.
Conclusion
AKI Hong Kong M Gallery Hotel stands as a refined sanctuary amidst Wan Chai’s vibrant energy. With its thoughtful Japanese-inspired aesthetics, panoramic fitness center, and inclusive dining options, it offers travelers a harmonious balance of cultural immersion and modern comfort.
The tatami room, while nice, is kinda of uncomfortable for its bed and probably a normal room will be more acceptable to people of my age.
