Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited (SHKP) announced that The Royal Garden Kowloon East has officially opened, marking the successful completion of one of the most significant hotel repositioning projects undertaken in Tseung Kwan O in recent years and establishing the property as the newest landmark in Kowloon East. The hotel was earlier renamed from Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Kowloon East and underwent a comprehensive renovation.

The project transforms a traditional business hotel into a contemporary urban resort complemented with business traveller amenities. It benefited from the evolving demographics of one of Hong Kong's fastest-growing residential districts through a carefully designed repositioning strategy. The repositioning also unlocks new revenue streams and deepens collaboration with SHKP’s neighbouring retail and residential portfolios to build a family-vacation, pet-friendly, business, and lifestyle hub in the district.

At the opening ceremony, SHKP Chairman and Managing Director Raymond Kwok said: “Over the past decade, Tseung Kwan O has grown into a vibrant community. To gain a deeper understanding of the changing needs of the local communities and overseas visitors, we conducted in-depth market research and analysis. The insights gained led us to introduce the 'Urban Resort' concept to The Royal Garden Kowloon East, creating an urban oasis where young families and multi-generational households can unwind and spend time together. Our goal is to offer thoughtful, versatile services that consistently exceed expectations.”

A Strategic Repositioning Aligned with Tseung Kwan O's Growth Trajectory

As Tseung Kwan O attracts more young families, dual-income households and pet owners, demand has grown for multi-generational travel, lifestyle dining and leisure experiences. The traditional business hotel model could no longer fully meet customers’ expectations. Furthermore, as Hong Kong’s first Chinese medicine hospital opened in Tseung Kwan O earlier, the district has also become a healthcare and wellness destination, drawing patients, accompanying family members and visiting healthcare professionals, all of whom require quality accommodation and support facilities close by.

The repositioning strategy broadens the hotel’s guest base from corporate travellers to staycationers, MICE groups, food lovers, wellness and medical visitors, and pet owners. This not only helps boost overall occupancy rates but also attracts high-value customer segments.

Unrivalled Connectivity: A Complete Transport Network at the Doorstep

The hotel enjoys a prime location in the heart of Tseung Kwan O, with sheltered indoor direct access to MTR Tseung Kwan O Station and a major bus terminus next door. It also adjoins the Central Kowloon Bypass, offering a direct link to Yau Ma Tei and substantially reducing cross-city driving times. Kai Tak Sports Park just is around 15 minutes away by car, putting world-class sporting events, concerts and major happenings within easy reach. Cross-boundary coaches to the Mainland depart from the doorstep, while complimentary shuttle services connect guests to Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and the Airport Express Kowloon Station, enabling seamless High Speed Rail journeys to over 110 Mainland destinations or a direct Airport Express ride to the Hong Kong International Airport. The result is exceptional convenience, making the hotel the ultimate lifestyle base connecting all districts of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

Reconfigured Spaces with Spacious Rooms

The former food and beverage facilities on the first and second floors have been converted into retail leasing space, introducing a wider range of services. Guest rooms, meeting venues and the outdoor gardens have also been comprehensively reconfigured to serve family, pet-friendly and lifestyle guests.

The hotel's 366 contemporary guest rooms and suites are generously proportioned, ranging from the 36-square-metre entry-level Urban Oasis Room to the signature Horizon Retreat Villa, complete with private outdoor gardens and fully pet-friendly amenities. New room types include children's themed rooms, the Family Fortress Room with bunk beds accommodating up to four guests, and the Sunset Terrace Suite with its expansive terrace for evening views.

The upgraded Diamond Rooms are purpose-designed for corporate meetings, banquets and weddings. In the lobby, Fine Foods Lounge brings the much-loved recipes of The Royal Garden Cake Shop in Tsim Sha Tsui, including its renowned palmiers, to the district. On Level 47, rooftop Italian restaurant Ponentino, a reimagining of the renowned Sabatini Ristorante Italiano, serves refined cuisine.

Deepening Synergies Across SHKP's Retail Network and Stakeholders

The opening of the hotel is an integral part of SHKP's Tseung Kwan O retail ecosystem rather than a standalone hotel launch. 

Jenny Chan, Senior Vice President of the Hotel Division at SHKP, said: “The transformation of The Royal Garden Kowloon East creates a refreshing new urban resort experience and demonstrates the Group’s firm confidence in the long-term development of Hong Kong and of Tseung Kwan O. The hotel will work hand in hand with the Group’s malls in the district, integrating closely with the surrounding commercial ecosystem to build a lifestyle destination for local families and visitors alike. With its pet-friendly facilities and diverse leisure offerings, it adds a new dimension to Tseung Kwan O's lifestyle appeal.”

She added, “As Tseung Kwan O continues to develop, the district is home to major community and infrastructure anchors, including the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Hong Kong’s first Chinese Medicine Hospital, the Tseung Kwan O Marriage Registry and the Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground. Together, these facilities will continue to drive diverse, year-round demand for accommodation from business, academic, family and event-related visitors. A key distinguishing feature of the hotel is its children’s play area and generous outdoor spaces, designed specifically for family guests, alongside a range of wellness experiences catering to today’s growing appetite for a healthy lifestyle. With its unique locational advantages, the Royal Garden Kowloon East serves not only traditional business and leisure travellers, but also family travellers, groups of friends and relatives, and pet-loving households. We look forward to the hotel becoming a landmark urban resort in Kowloon East while carrying forward The Royal Garden's hallmark service quality and warmth.”

Johnny Cheung, General Manager of The Royal Garden Kowloon East, added: "Today’s travellers look for warmth, for experiences, and for spaces that accommodate their lifestyles — whether that’s a weekend staycation, a multi-generational family trip, a wedding celebration, a wellness getaway, or a holiday with their pets. We are set to become Kowloon East's new landmark and the ultimate lifestyle base.”