Photo courtesy of Hotel sáv

As far as staycations go, many city dwellers rarely explore properties beyond Hong Kong Island. It’s quite understandable — the island does offer some of the finest and trendiest shopping, restaurants and nightlife. However, those of us who have barely ventured across the Harbour for an extended stay are not really seeing the whole picture.

It’s the gritty urban scenes and diverse cultures in the densely populated areas of Kowloon that give Hong Kong such a unique character, and nowhere is that more evident than in the neighbourhood of Hung Hom. This bustling region is home to a coliseum, two university campuses, a major railway station and multiple housing complexes. Needless to say, the area is chock-full of mom-and-pop stores and local restaurants — perfect for a weekend urban walking adventure. 

A room on the Floor of Fashion, conceptualised by a local Hong Kong designer; Photo courtesy of Hotel sáv

 Standing out amongst the time-worn buildings and colourful tenements is Hotel sáv, a sleek 25-floor hotel at the heart of Wuhu Street, Hung Hom’s busiest strip. The city chic accommodation has been on our radar for a while due to Edwin Chuang, the dapper hospitality mogul behind it all. The Generation T lister — a graduate of The Parsons School of Design in New York City — is known for his philosophy of marrying clean design with a modern practicality. His vision has translated well into sáv, which stands for “stylish, attitude, visionary”.

The first thing that impresses about the hotel is its vibrant look, despite the use of black and white as base colours. Neon signs are used to accentuate the interiors, leading to a hip and lively ambience. The same design DNA is continued at The sáv Collection — the top three floors containing deluxe suites. The lighting colour schemes of the rooms can be customised according to the ambience the guest is looking for, using a colour-coded remote control. This unique detail — emphasising how lighting can completely transform a space — forms an important part of Chuang’s design narrative.

A room on The Floor of Ocean; Photo courtesy of Hotel sáv

 The sáv Collection floors also function as a contemporary art gallery, with an individual theme for each floor. The Floor of Love (level 22) features illustrations and photography from local creative talents. The works of disabled artists are also displayed here, and to give back to the community 5% of the room charge on this floor will be donated to Make-A-Wish Hong Kong and Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong. The showstopping works of Frankie Cihi, a renowned half-Japanese, half-American illustrator, should not be missed. Her whimsical swirling paintings on The Floor of Ocean (level 25) are inspired by Hong Kong’s unique landscape.

Further proof of the hotel’s ongoing dedication to celebrate local design can be found on the Floor of Fashion (level 20), featuring rooms conceptualised by Hong Kong designers, fashion bloggers, and celebrities. Pop Up at sáv, a pop-up boutique on the first floor of the hotel, showcases the crafts of these young creative talents. The merchandise available for purchase range from handmade purses to lace cheongsam dresses. 

Hotel sáv's pop-up shop on the first floor; Photo courtesy of Hotel sáv

With an impeccable commitment to celebrating Hong Kong’s unique cultural identity, accentuated by stunning surroundings of colourful historical buildings, Hotel sáv presents an unpanelled way to experience an authentic slice of Hong Kong creativity.

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Hotel sáv, 83 Wuhu Street, Hung Hom, Kowloon; 2275-8888; hotelsav.com