Sweet suites at Hullett House

When was the last time you saw a very familiar place differently?

Since childhood, my siblings and I have been coming to Hong Kong for work and play. It has been a reservoir of precious memories, having spent so much time there with our late parents, Ting and Mila Dayrit. From Dad, I learned the appreciation for beautiful hotels that exude of history, luxury and character. From Mom, I learned to enjoy staying inside the hotel room. When Dad, my siblings and I would ask Mom to join us to shop and eat, she would say, “Why should I go out when I can enjoy the view from this beautiful room and everything inside it?”

My brother Mark, who is the historian in the family, led us in unraveling the stories behind timeless, priceless properties, some of which were turned into hotels just like the fascinating and scintillating Hullett House located in the historical former Marine Police Headquarters in Hong Kong, which dates back to 1881. Opposite the Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon, it is just a short walk from the Star Ferry. In 2009, this poignant property was unraveled as Heritage 1881. The project was the first attempt by the Tourism Commission to engage the private sector to preserve antiquities by revamping them into a tourist attraction.

Mark often says that frequent visits to Hong Kong allowed us to witness its growth as vestiges of its rich past inevitably influenced its character and culture. Chinese structures from the 19th century like the Hullett House, showcase colonial architecture conscientiously protected as Declared Monuments, a type of preservation order that prevents or restricts modifications to the monument. The site is one of the four oldest surviving government buildings in Hong Kong. For more than 100 years, it was occupied by Hong Kong’s Royal Marine Police.

Amiable director of communications Angie Palmer shared that Hullett House is named in honor of Richmond William Hullett, a 19th-century English academic scholar and botanist who lived and worked in Asia. He discovered, among others, a variety of Bauhinia, also known as the orchid tree.

The Hullett House, now owned and managed by GR8 Leisure Concept, has been transformed into the most interesting, beguiling and fascinating boutique hotel with 10 mesmerizing suites each with its own theme and story to share. Hullett House celebrates Hong Kong’s East-meets-West heritage. It has been named one of the world’s best new hotels by Condé Nast Traveler’s US, UK, and Spanish editions as well as Travel+Leisure magazine.

Angie further shared that a stay at the Hullet House is “a singularly Hong Kong experience that ought to be savored by every discerning traveler.” The design-led heritage building consists of an intimate hotel, five restaurants and bars and a souvenir store. The property and its various elements are all housed within one of the oldest buildings located in the heart of Hong Kong, 

On this particular trip, I was with childhood friend Rita Saguin-Trinidad, my youngest sister Yvonne and her husband Pael Romualdez. It was Yvonne and Pael’s  wedding anniversary and we were so blessed to spend it at the luxurious suites of the Hullet House.

Rita and I stayed at the Chinese Imperial suite with hand-painted Qing dynasty murals and a bed fit for an Emperor, an elegant English pastoral suite decorated in restful greens with 26 hand-painted native songbirds or a vibrant China pop-art suite.

Yvonne and Pael enjoyed their stay at perhaps the most luxuriously appointed of all of Hullett House’s hotel suites, the Lido Suite, situated in the secluded West Corner of the second floor and looks down on the Rodeo Drive of Hong Kong. The room, bedecked in dark wood and gold furnishings, has a stunning bathroom with gold and black fixtures and well-lit mirrors.

A hotel tour allowed us to appreciate the other rooms like the Stanley Suite with a serene theme of the English countryside the showcases an enchanting mural depicting 26 bird species of the 26 provinces of China. Those wishing to experience a glimpse of Imperial China with its Chinese arts and crafts will treasure their stay at the Tsing Lung Suite.

The Silvermine Suite, the epitome of ultimate luxury, is nicknamed Hullett House’s Honeymoon Suite. The Silvermine is an exclusive corner suite with four doors leading out to expansive terraces with white-on-white ornately carved room furnishings evocative of Louis XIV. If you wish to relive the designer’s first impressions of Hong Kong antique shops on Hollywood Road where bold shades of red lacquer and gold reign supreme, you must stay at the Shek-O Suite.

The Scottish-inspired Castle Peak features special black and white fabric from Paris complemented by bold hardwood floors. One will admire the antler chandelier that celebrates the Scottish heritage of Hong Kong’s founders. The Pui O Suite brings one back to the 1930s Shanghai period with art deco furnishing, dark wooden floors and stained-glass paneling. The spirit of old Hong Kong teahouses of the 1920s and 1930s is reinvented here.

The D’Aguilar Suite, a synergy of bright orange and light green, is inspired by Prince Regent’s love of all things Chinoiserie. Appreciate the Ming Dynasty Court murals displayed in the regal character of the room.

Over high tea at the charming Parlour restaurant, we learned from Angie Palmer and Fanny So that, as part of the deal, GR8 Leisure Concept will assume ownership and management of all of Hullett House’s existing brands, including Hullett House Hotel, The Parlour, Loong Toh Yuen, St. George, Stables Grill and Mariners’ Pub.

Founded in 2004, GR8 Leisure Concept has established its reputation and strong market position for innovative and unique concepts in the hospitality industry, owning and managing successful brands such as The Luxe Manor, Knight on Wyndham, Cafe Roma, FINDS, G.E., and Robata Zawazawa. Currently, the group owns and operates 11 brands, including the two new additions of Ying Fook Heen Chinese Restaurant and N.P.S. Congee Hotpot in Suzhou early this year. “The acquisition of Hullett House project adds six additional unique brands to its portfolio. This is an exciting milestone for GR8 Leisure Concept and we are very pleased to welcome Hullett House into our distinct hospitality business. Hullett House is a highly prestigious property in Hong Kong and will further enhance our existing brands in terms of unique service offerings and exceptional customer service,” says Marcus Lee, the president of GR8 Leisure Concept.

I must admit that among my penchants, such as monitoring the route of the whale sharks, the migration of the wildebeests in Tanzania and the aurora borealis in the northern hemisphere, I also have what I term as the “Hullett House watch.” I was always so intrigued by the Hullett House, but for the last three years, each time I tried to book a stay here, it was full. This month was a lucky one for me as I was able to book online a stay at this priceless property. I admit my visit to Hong Kong, though a familiar territory, was never this relaxing and enchanting.

Experience the difference on your next trip at the Hullett House, where each suite is a sweet treat.

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For more information, log on to www.hullethouse.com. E-mail the author at miladay.star@gmail.com.