Jetsettersblog

Hullett House, which has officially opened, is designed to bring to life old Hong Kong and celebrate the traditions of the city’s rich and unique heritage and culture.

Situated in the colonial white-stucco building that was formerly the Marine Police Headquarters on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, close to the Star Ferry terminal, Hullett House comprises an intimate design-led heritage hotel, five restaurants and bars, a souvenir store and a performance area specially created as a venue for showcasing traditional festivals and celebrations.

Managed by aqua restaurant group, Hullett House is inspired by Hong Kong’s rich and varied history over the last 150 years, with its unique blend of Chinese and British influences and mix of old and new.

Founder David Yeo says the group’s vision was to be “By Hong Kong, for Hong Kong – we give you old Hong Kong!” He adds that Hullett House is aqua’s humble attempt to give something back to Hong Kong in return for all the wonderful opportunities Hong Kong has given the group.

At the heart of Hullett House is a design-led heritage hotel that promises an intimate guest experience and old fashioned, personal service in each of its 13 suites. The rooms, which range in size from 800 to 1100 sq ft, are all individually designed, with airy private terraced balconies and spectacular views over the city, the harbour or the gardens and courtyard below.

Guests can choose from one of 13 elegant suites each individually designed to reflect a period of Hong Kong’s design history. For example, there is the Imperial China suite, with its hand drawn red-lacquer murals and four- poster pagoda bed or the Shanghai suite, with its art deco style that is reminiscent of the swinging 1930s jazz bands scandalous dancing and short dresses. For a more restful, pastoral experience, guests may choose the English suite with its country-manor turquoise tones and hand-painted murals depicting 12 birds local to Hong Kong.

The hotel suites, whilst historic in design, are equipped with the latest hi-tech facilities such as large screen LCD TVs, DVD, i-pod stations and wireless broadband, and have spacious, modern bathrooms with large-head rain showers .

The drinking and dining options of Hullett House similarly bring to life different aspects of Hong Kong’s colonial past.

The Parlour, which is open all day for hearty English breakfasts and genteel afternoon tea, becomes a sophisticated lounge bar by night. The three rooms, with their hand-painted murals and dramatic bar featuring the dragons of Kowloon, conjure up bygone images of the city and its roots as a colonial outpost of late 19th century England.

Chinese restaurant Loong Toh Yuen showcases the best of Hong Kong cuisine by Executive Chef, Sham Wing On and Dim Sum master Chef Lam Mok, with a selection of traditional Hong Kong dim sum recipes and à la carte specials including modern interpretations of long-lost or hard-to-find Hong Kong dishes.

These include Steamed Big Bun with Sliced Chicken, Barbeque Pork, Preserved Dried Sausage and Shrimp and Steamed Turnip Cake with Conpoy, Crabmeat, Scallops and Shrimp. At the heart of Loong Toh Yuen is the “50 Pigeons” Courtyard, which is surrounded by bespoke wrought-iron Chinoiserie tasseled lanterns and elegant colonnades, making it a stunning setting for alfresco dining found nowhere else in Hong Kong or Kowloon.

Stables Grill takes its name from its location in the old horse stables. A casual eatery that offers lighter and more casual dining, Stables Grill serves up a fine selection of grilled dishes and tasty tapas. The emphasis is on using the freshest produce with minimal cooking to bring out the best in the basic ingredients.

In line with its maritime heritage, the walls of the Stables Grill are paneled using salvaged original old wood decking from a 50 year-old ship. The all-leather 1930s pendant lamps are made from leather cylinders used for storing sheared wool to be transported to wool mills.

In a nod to modern day Hong Kong, David Yeo has deliberately chosen the red “egg lamps” ubiquitous in Hong Kong’s wet markets.

Hullett House’s fine dining Western restaurant, St. George, features the best of modern European cuisine with a British accent. Open for lunch, dinner and private functions, St. George is led by one Michelin Star Chef Philippe Orrico, a protégé of Pierre Gagnaire.

St George evokes an old English club atmosphere in a cosily refined setting, with its high vaulted ceilings, open wooden trusses, velvet & oak wall panels, and crystal chandeliers that are sure to evoke memories of a bygone and more “genteel” era.

Originally a drinking place for visiting seamen and working policemen, there has been a Mariners’ Rest in the Marine Police Headquarters for more than 100 years.

The present location also used to be the sergeants’ mess of the Marine Police Headquarters. Mariners’ Rest serves beers on tap and British gastro pub fare with a modern edge.

Brave visitors will be able to visit and drink in the building’s original jail cells.

Those looking to take home an elegant and evocative gift can visit The Souvenir Shop, which has a variety of unique bespoke products that proudly reflect both Hong Kong’s history and its modern day handicrafts.

In the building’s courtyard will be a pavilion for performances and demonstrations of arts and crafts from Hong Kong;

Chinese paper cuttings, shadow and live puppetry, a noodle maker, and the ladies of Canal Road who famously beat the paper tigers.

Yeo explains, “Showcasing Hong Kong’s wonderful arts and traditions will be a huge part of what Hullett House is all about. We hope to keep such arts and traditions alive by making them more visible and a part of every day life in Hong Kong again.”

Hullett House is named in honour of Richmond William Hullett, a 19th century English academic and scholar who lived and worked in Asia.

A dedicated botanist, he discovered, amongst others, a variety of Bauhinia, also known as the orchid tree. The Bauhinia flower with its delicate pink orchid-like leaves was adopted as the floral emblem of Hong Kong in 1965, and since 1997, has proudly appeared on Hong Kong’s flag and coins. A statue of the flower was presented to the people of Hong Kong by the People’s Republic of China, and can now be found at Golden Bauhinia Square in Hong Kong.

Hullett House’s celebration of old Hong Kong sensibilities and its array of dining options, drinking havens and distinctive luxury suites are to become a landmark destination in the city.

Hullett House can be found at 2A Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, opposite the Cultural Centre and just a short walk from the Star Ferry.

For enquiries call +852 3988 0000 or visit www.hulletthouse.com