Recently, I did one of those crazy city hops �" going from Hong Kong to Seoul to Bangkok and Saigon in 10 days and in the process, I stayed in four hotels that, to me, capture the diversity of hospitality in Asia and how the industry’s changed, and is evolving.

A rather iconic welcome in the lobby

Hotel ICON, Hong Kong

This is a city known for the best hotels in the world �" Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula, Shangri-La, Four Seasons �" the best of the best. There’s something about Hong Kong hotel service �" sharp, slick, smooth. There is a smile but it’s polished.

If you’re an independent hotel, you really have to stand out. ICON does this by doubling up as a “training” ground for hospitality students and as such, there is a youthful energy and vibe to this hotel. The average age of staff is 24, I am told. Their smiles are less polished, more genuine. Sometimes, the service is not as smooth but it doesn’t matter because you know these are students or management trainees.

So maybe as a senior citizen, you might feel out of place in such a youthful hotel but not really. Because even though the hotel has contemporary design elements, it also has classic touches that make you feel you’re not in one of those designer hotels where you constantly knock your knees on furniture �" and not every staff is dressed in black.

Wifi is free, as is the minibar �" and you know what, I hardly touch the items anyway. If you’re a club floor guest, you get access to the Sky Lounge which gives beautiful views over the harbour. It’s a bit small though and during peak cocktail hours, we had to share tables with another couple �" so you either strike up conversation or try not to make eye contact. Or you admire the painting of Hong Kong by night, which is a standout.

To me, this hotel, which opened in September 2011, embraces the future �" it’s like a laboratory to train future talent for the industry �" but has its feet planted firmly in the best of Hong Kong hospitality traditions.

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