Hotel review: Living “The Alternative” — at Tai Koo’s EAST Hong Kong, staying feels like coming home

Hong Kong is a city of extremes — neon-clad streets packed with people, Michelin-starred hole-in-the-wall eateries tucked into chaotic alleyways, and the unrelenting energy of a place that never quite pauses.

But what if you could experience all that and still retreat to a pocket of calm at the end of the day?

EAST Hong Kong offers precisely that. This is not the typical tourist trap stay positioned in Taikoo, a neighbourhood that strikes the perfect balance between vibrancy and tranquillity. Instead, it’s “The Alternative” — both in how the hotel sees itself and genuinely functions for those who prefer something a little different.

For those unfamiliar with Taikoo, it’s not the first place that springs to mind when booking a stay in Hong Kong. And that’s precisely why it works. Once home to the Taikoo Sugar Refinery, the area has evolved into a refined, self-contained district bustling by day and peacefully subdued by night.

Unlike the sensory overload of Central or Tsim Sha Tsui, Taikoo’s energy softens as evening falls. There’s no post-midnight mayhem, no tourist crowds vying for Instagram shots, no endless honking of impatient taxis. It’s Hong Kong at a different pace — where you can still experience the city’s pulse but don’t have to fight for space to breathe. 

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Cityplaza Mall, conveniently attached to the hotel, is a game-changer. Shopping, dining, entertainment — it’s all there. Whether grabbing a last-minute gift or unwinding at the mall’s ice-skating rink, everything is within reach, eliminating the need for frantic MTR sprints across town.

A hotel that understands its guests

EAST doesn’t just claim to be “The Alternative”; it actively lives it. The hotel’s rebranding embraces a community of creative, independent-minded travellers — people who want to connect with a city, not just consume it. From its partnerships with artists and cultural pioneers to its focus on thoughtful experiences over formulaic luxury, EAST feels personal.

And unlike hotels that define themselves by ostentatious lobbies and cookie-cutter concierge recommendations, EAST has depth. The team genuinely gets Hong Kong, offering suggestions beyond the usual guidebook staples. Think Shau Kei Wan’s Chun Yeung Street Market for a dose of old-school Hong Kong or a quiet afternoon at Quarryside, a local art and culture space that remains blissfully under the radar.

This reimagining of hospitality was on full display at EAST’s November 13th launch party, where the hotel unveiled its new identity in a way that felt more like a creative manifesto than a corporate relaunch. 

The evening unfolded like an immersive journey through EAST’s philosophy — beginning with a nature-inspired art performance in the hotel’s newly renovated driveway, leading into a jazz and Cantonese hip-hop fusion set at FEAST (Food by EAST) and culminating at Sugar. At this rooftop bar, the city’s skyline played backdrop to remixed 80s and Y2K beats. 

Every detail, from the sugar cane props nodding to Taikoo’s industrial past to the unexpected magic show inspired by the crystallisation of sugar, reinforced EAST’s commitment to doing things differently.

And then, there’s the lobby. 

Most hotel lobbies are transitory spaces — designed for check-ins, quick conversations, and little else. EAST flips the script. The lobby has been transformed into something far more dynamic: a 24/7 co-working lounge pulses with quiet energy at all hours. 

At night, students are hunched over tables, bathed in the soft glow of table lamps, notes scattered across surfaces like a university library. During the day, remote workers settle in, laptops open, expertly brewed coffee from Domain in hand.

But lest you think this is a sterile business centre or a coldly designed workspace, it is not. Rather, I see it as an extension of the city — a fluid, inviting environment where work and life blend seamlessly.

Comfort without the clutter

Some hotels drown guests in a sea of excess — overstuffed cushions, elaborate furniture arrangements, and an overcomplicated “luxury” aesthetic that feels more like an interior designer’s fantasy than a livable space. EAST takes the opposite approach.

The rooms here are a lesson in elegant restraint. They don’t try to impress with unnecessary embellishments but rather let the city do the talking. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of Victoria Harbour or Hong Kong’s iconic skyline, and the muted, neutral tones create a sense of calm without feeling sterile.

The real win is functionality. The workspaces are actually usable, with ample desk space, intuitive lighting, and fast, reliable WiFi — because, in a city like Hong Kong, many guests aren’t here to lounge in bed all day. 

The bathrooms are sleek and modern, with walk-in rainfall showers that feel like a reset button after a long day of urban exploration. And unlike some hotels that treat in-room technology as an afterthought, EAST integrates it seamlessly.

Touchscreen controls, built-in charging ports, and well-placed outlets mean you’re not playing a guessing game every time you need to plug something in.

It’s comfort without excess, luxury without pretension — a space designed to support rather than overwhelm.

A culinary scene that matches the mood

Hong Kong is a food city, and EAST understands that dining shouldn’t just be a necessity but an experience. The hotel’s three main dining venues each serve a distinct purpose, catering to different moments in the day.

FEAST is a casual yet polished all-day dining restaurant that offers everything from international staples to local Hong Kong comfort food. It’s the kind of place where you can grab a proper meal without feeling like you’re trapped in an overpriced hotel buffet.

Domain, EAST’s cafe, serves exceptionally good coffee — the kind that doesn’t taste like an afterthought. It’s the perfect spot for a quick caffeine fix or a quiet moment before diving into the city’s frenetic pace.

And then there’s Sugar — arguably one of Hong Kong’s most underrated rooftop bars. It’s not trying to be Central’s next high-society hotspot, and that’s its strength. Instead, Sugar delivers an effortlessly cool vibe with killer cocktails, a panoramic terrace, and music that enhances rather than overpowers the experience.

The launch party’s sugar-inspired cocktails — a creative nod to Taikoo’s industrial past — were a testament to how EAST thinks beyond the expected.

An alternative that just works

Some hotels try too hard to be different; others play it too safe. EAST Hong Kong gets the balance right.

It offers an escape without disconnecting you from the city’s energy. It’s well-located without being suffocated by crowds. It’s modern without feeling sterile. It’s immersive without being intrusive.

And at its core, EAST understands something fundamental about travel: the best stays are the ones that feel effortless. There’s no need to navigate tourist traps or endure the sensory overload of staying in Central. At EAST, you get to experience Hong Kong on your terms — and, at the end of the day, return to something that feels remarkably like home.

This is what “The Alternative” looks like. And in a city that thrives on contrast, EAST has managed to carve out the perfect middle ground.