L’etoile de Mer

I knew this was a 2 star hotel and adjusted my expectations, but several things still cast a heavy shadow over the stay. Every time I plugged in my phone, the fuse blew. When I called the operator, she blamed my charger. I asked how she could know that, since this was the only place where my charger had tripped the power. She later sent someone to check, but even after they changed the extension cable, the power still went off. A blown fuse could have several causes, such as overloading, a short circuit, or a defective cable, so I don’t understand how she could generalize like that. I also rented a portable charger, but it wouldn’t pop out after I paid. The operator said they didn’t own the company. Really? Were the chargers there without any business relationship with the hotel? There was no soundproofing at all. I had no choice but to check out early.

I stayed 3 days and 2 nights at the beginning of March, my first time at shuttle space. The water heater suddenly broke on my second day. Some other guests and I tried reaching the receptionist, but no one could deal with it. The weather was really chilly, and I couldn’t imagine taking a cold shower. The phone receptionist was rude and impatient, and didn’t seem sincerely interested in helping a tourist who was new to a foreign city. There also wasn’t enough room for big luggage, though luckily I only had a backpack and carry-on suitcase. I strongly suggest bringing your own towel. The ones they provided were very concerning.

Check-in was really difficult and took me 1 hour. The capsule was hot and airtight, so I had to keep the door open to cool it down.

Once you’re inside, the setup is thoughtful and very clean. The unit is split into two sections, one for women. In the main area there’s a kitchenette facing large windows, and the shower is tucked behind a mirrored door. The shower space is great, with a rain shower, though there’s only one, so be considerate and don’t hog it. Nearby, there are plenty of 24-hour places to pick up supplies. The capsules feel roomy for what they are, with a safe, foldable table, charging points, adjustable lights, and air ventilation. The pod frame can creak a bit when you turn over at night. Everything is automated, which is convenient but can feel a little impersonal. Getting there was easy: I took the Airport Express into Hong Kong, then the free shuttle bus H3 to The Excelsior, one street away. Finding the unit was easier than I’d feared. I did have a booking issue because my date change hadn’t been updated on their end, though that wasn’t their fault. Great job overall!