An elevated stay at The Upper House with the Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard

Having a Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard is about more than just racking up Asia Miles. We’re constantly providing cardholders with new and exclusive perks throughout the year to ensure your spending is as rewarding as possible – and we’ve teamed up with a wonderful selection of partners to make this happen.

Of course, we all like to indulge occasionally, which is why we’ve partnered with The Upper House , the Hong Kong hotel that secured fourth place on the inaugural World’s 50 Best Hotels list in 2023, to offer cardholders an abundance of exclusive privileges. Between now and 31 December 2024, you can get up to 25 per cent off The House standard rate along with daily breakfast for two at Salisterra and up to HK$800 credit for in-room dining, Salisterra or The Continental when you stay. Gourmets aren’t forgotten either, you can enjoy 20 per cent off afternoon tea, 15 per cent off dinner from Sunday to Thursday, and a welcome snack at Salisterra, as well as a welcome drink when you dine at The Continental.

And for those with an alternative Cathay co-branded credit card , you’ll be able to enjoy up to 25 per cent off a standard booking rate, complimentary breakfast for two at Salisterra and HK$500 dining credit. 

Keen to know more? Our Digital Editor, Charlie Robertson, details her stay at the hotel. 

The hotel

As I enter The Upper House, the hum of the city fades into the distance. There’s no loud, echoing lobby and check-in queues here, just welcoming smiles from the helpful staff who sweep me away up to my room for a relaxed, paperless check-in experience. 

Designed by Hong Kong architect André Fu, the hotel is filled with beautiful spaces and discreet design details, guided by his concept of an “upward journey” – starting with an escalator ride: a smooth, soul-soothing journey that envelopes me in warm orange hues and the scent of ginger and verbena, setting the tone for what lies ahead.

Modern Asian influences can be felt – and found – throughout the House. Its contemporary design, impressive art installations, choice of materials (such as bamboo and shoji glass) and play on natural light make the space feel decidedly Japanese. As I’m led towards my room it becomes clear that every detail has been thoughtfully chosen with the intention of making guests slow down and enjoy the relaxed pace of the hotel, down to the decision to omit the ‘close doors’ button from the lifts. 

The room

While the hotel itself could be considered bijou, its rooms are most certainly not. Measuring in at a generous 730 square feet, Studio 70 is the largest entry-level guest room in Hong Kong, while the Upper Suite spans a whopping 1,230 square feet. 

As I step into my suite, I’m greeted by the same calming ambience that fills the common spaces of the hotel, with one significant difference: floor to ceiling windows that reveal a dizzying view of Hong Kong’s electric skyline. 

On the dining table in the living room area, a selection of gifts and a thoughtfully handwritten note welcome me to the House. A large, elegant sofa faces a 42 inch LCD television, which boasts an impressive curation of films, and the in-room maxi bar is complimentary. To reduce use of plastics, the room is fitted with a filtered water tap and you’re provided with a drinks bottle. 

In the bedroom, a luxurious bed faces the expansive windows. Behind it lies the dressing room, which leads to perhaps the most exciting space of all: the bathroom. Fitted with a twin vanity and rain shower, this impressive room is lit by a warm hue and adorned with modern sculptures. In the centre, a white staircase leads up to a sleek free-standing limestone bathtub.

The dining experiences

Salisterra

The Upper House’s restaurant Salisterra serves a delicious afternoon tea – which, from now until 30 June 2024, is offered in collaboration with London Hotel Café Royal. This quintessentially British afternoon tea boasts a selection of light finger sandwiches and delicate desserts alongside (my personal favourite) crisp and crumbly scones served with two types of jam and your choice of tea – or a glass of champagne, if you prefer.

In the evening, guests can enjoy drinks and exquisite Mediterranean fare by the light of the city’s glow. Menu highlights include the prawn crudo, marinated in a delicate lemon sauce vierge; the grilled octopus in a Greek-style rub; and the whole red mullet, which is cooked tableside with a lemon and verbena steam. For those with a sweet tooth, there are cinnamon-dusted churros served with a dark chocolate sauce.

The Continental

Just steps away from The Upper House is The Continental , a European-inspired café. Its elegant entrance doubles as a bar (where you’ll enjoy your cardholder welcome drink) and opens into a large and inviting dining room filled with cosy booths and dining tables. Perhaps its biggest draw, though, is its expansive terrace: the perfect spot to dine al fresco or enjoy a nightcap. The a la carte menu is filled with bistro classics; I strongly recommend the Japanese fruit tomato with burrata cheese and the roasted black cod – though the USDA prime flat iron is also remarkable.

The wellness offerings

While The Upper House doesn't have an on-site spa or swimming pool, it offers a thoughtful curation of personalised wellness experiences such as GOOD yoga, guided meditation, and its newest addition, 10x Longevity.  

The first of its kind in Hong Kong, this pro-ageing destination uses leading technology to promote cellular regeneration, collagen production and overall health. The Circuit is the perfect introduction to the suite’s regenerative offerings; a treatment that begins with one hour in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, followed by red light therapy to encourage cellular renewal, ending with an infrared sauna and cold plunge. It has been designed to maximise the benefits of your super oxygenated blood – and I can honestly say, no treatment has ever made me feel quite so relaxed. 

Ready to check-in to The Upper House? Sign up for a Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard to take advantage of these exclusive cardholder privileges and more.