Workspace, art shop and hotel.
Why We Love This: When art and design come to life with local community beating on its own dynamic drums. Every corner of the hotel oozes profound creativity, hence staying in Hong Kong feels like a deep dive into a virtuoso’s innovative spectrum.
Suitable For: Entrepreneurs, artists, long-term travelers, honeymooners, and young couples.
The Story:
In a space where a handcrafted tea tray co-exists with King and Queen cufflinks made to be worn as earrings, somehow one can sense the blossoming of a new Hong Kong. A type of breakthrough culture that blends the prestige of a former British colony and a re-adaptation of Chinese artistry. In Hong Kong, we have just entered Tung Nam Lou.
Although recently opened in the autumn of 2018, the story of Tung Nam Lou (translation: East South Building) goes back to the 1930’s when Mr. Lo Chi Ching arrived from Puning in Mainland China to Hong Kong. In 1950’s, he built a successful seafood restaurant with the same name and returned home with his earnings to establish a better infrastructure for his desolate hometown. As Mr. Lo became interested in collecting art, he realized that art should be shared with the community rather than be kept within the elites of a society.
Today, he leads another Tung Nam Lou. His sophisticated establishment is a hotel, a working space, and an art shop. Christy Wong, Tung Nam Lou’s Art Development Associate, explained:
“We wanted to build a platform for art lovers, not just for designers and artists. But this space is open to anyone who loves art.”
Also a hub of art events, Tung Nam Lou is about sharing perspectives and imagination with the community. Especially one like Yao Ma Tei (translation: Oil Sesame Field), a neighborhood currently transforming from a blue collar residential area to a traveler’s hidden gem.
If connecting contrasts is the goal of Mr. Lo and his team, then the fusion of old and new tastefully exudes throughout every room. The synthesis of East and West radiates in British colonial decor and Ming Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain. Divergence working together as one wittingly defines the new cool, thus Tung Nam Lou is perfectly fitting for those who think outside of the box and live for innovation.
The Experience:
The Neighborhood: Some Hong Kongers may feel that Yao Ma Tei district can be quite dodgy, but for those who love to mesh with locals, there are many markets and little shops in numerous alleys sans tourists. Think of the Mission District in San Francisco, or NYC’s Lower East Side ten years ago: Yao Ma Tei encompasses a local atmosphere but it’s also home to Starbuck’s Reserve and a Seven Eleven conveniently located across the hotel entrance.
The Co-working Space: Mixing a co-working space and a hotel extends the concept of an interactive community. For entrepreneurs and artists who need a work desk or meeting space, there are different plans and options to choose from. Whether you’re a freelancer or a business owner who wishes to host events, there’s a dedicated team of staff for partnerships and collaboration.
The Art Shop: On its lobby floor, an Art Shop is where guests can purchase exhibited artwork. Taking it further, Tung Nam Lou can arrange rendez-vous with local artists if guests would like to obtain customized pieces. Who doesn’t want a shumei candle in a bamboo dim sum steamer?
Comfort Room: With decorations symbolizing the fusion of East meets West, you’ll enjoy classic designs from the Victorian period combined with Chinese blue-and-white ceramics. Each room is approximately 122-153 square feet, with single or double beds.
Music Room: Emphasizing that “music is a universal language,” Music Room is equipped with wireless speakers connected to albums curated by a local artist so guests can be entrenched with Hong Kong’s unique culture and popular tunes.
Book Art Room: To promote the art of reading, Book Art Room features a collection of lifestyle books curated by the hotel’s Art Curator. Just like having a mini library at your fingertips, one can submerge in Hong Kong’s food, art, and design through endless pages.
East and South Room: The most luxurious rooms come in 344 square feet (East) and 253 square feet (South.) Designed with colonial British Hong Kong and contemporary pieces, East and South Rooms offer a grandiose experience among all the rooms in the hotel.
The Extra Good Stuff:
Tea Room 68 on the Rooftop: Craving for tea, and want to understand further about this Chinese art form? Room 68 at the hotel’s rooftop is not only where one could order a cup of tea or coffee, the staff is trained with well-rounded knowledge about leaves and Chinese tea serving etiquette.
Healthy cleaning service: The hotel uses industrial-strength vacuums with water-based cleaning systems on bedding and floor. This also better filters dust particles and micro-bacteria for a better night’s sleep.
The Complimentary:
- Free WiFi
- Sustainable slippers you can bring home. None are hotel-branded so you can take them with you for later to reuse.
- Biodegradable shampoo and conditioner containers.
- Flat screen TV
- Safety deposit box
- USB outlets
- iPad
