The Fleming in Wan Chai: Check-in at Hong Kong’s only design-led boutique hotel

With an underlying maritime design theme, that befits Hong Kong's geographic location, The Fleming stands out as the only true boutique hotel in town.

You might fancy indulging your weekend with the best brunch or Saturday happy hours, but who doesn’t love a good staycation in Hong Kong? Blending slick design from the wonderfully talented A Work of Substance design studio, a stellar food offering from Black Sheep Restaurants and great service, The Fleming in Wan Chai is a lovely design led boutique hotel that guarantees a little touch of luxe for your weekend getaway, and loads of spots to keep your Insta feed overflowing!

A Work of Substance transforms The Fleming

I never went to the old The Fleming, so I can’t really speak to the past, but the redesigned version of the Wan Chai boutique hotel is a testament to great collaboration and letting creatives flourish in a city that is almost always about the money. Maxime Dautresme – winner of numerous awards for his talented design eye – and the team at A Work of Substance has worked closely with the hotel to create a property that embraces the Hong Kong of yesteryear; the Cross Harbour Ferry in particular.

Walk in through the gorgeous bottle green entranceway, and step into the beautiful red lifts, where – on the first floor – you will find reception. As you check-in, keep an eye out for the seating that references the ferry’s moveable starred seats or peek down into Osteria Marzia, the coastal Italian restaurant that is part of the hotel and managed by Black Sheep Restaurants.

A maritime theme is evoked through curved doors with porthole-like features and brass embellishments that add to the old-time charm. In the bathrooms next to reception, you can’t miss the floor that is covered entirely in real 50-cent pieces, bringing a touch of the modern day into the design.

In the rooms, the homage to the Cross Harbour Ferry continues, with leather door handles, blue tones and even a desk that looks like the white and wood materials used on the famed boats. To modernise the design, A Work of Substance has added touches of brass and gold throughout (my favourite colour!), adding a splash of luxe without being ostentatious.

The final look is that of a world-class, design-savvy boutique hotel, something no other hotel in Hong Kong manages to achieve. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a well-earned staycation or for global travellers looking to lay their head somewhere uber stylish and convenient.

Tell me more about the restaurant!

Continuing on with the maritime theme, Osteria Marzia serves coastal Italian food from a captivating setting on the ground floor of the hotel. Step inside, and you’ll be greeted with beautiful blue tiled-walls and magnificent lights that echo the brass highlights from the hotel. Get comfy and enjoy a selection of exceptional delights from the sea. They also have a fantastic sommelier in Devon Lochhead (previously at Carbone) who is finding some great bottles from vineyards in coastal Italy itself.

Would I go back?

Yes. While there is no swimming pool or spa, guests do have access to Goji Studios around the corner – so if you want a nice in-room staycation, you won’t be disappointed. Otherwise, tell your international friends who love beautiful things about the property, and crash their stay – I promise, it will be worth it!

The Fleming, 41 Fleming Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 3607 2225, 香港灣仔菲林明道41號