Renowned Hong Kong-born architect and designer André Fu has worked all over the world, but one of his hotel projects, The Upper House, has kept him close to home. While the hotel opened in 2009, the designer recently completed The André Fu Suite, his first-ever namesake hotel suite in the world.
The living room in The André Fu Suite.
The Upper House helped launch Fu’s design career. As the lead designer of Swire Hotels’ Hong Kong-based hotel, The Upper House, Fu infused a blend of Asian minimalism and modern elegance into this 117-room boutique hotel. Despite its location inside a modern high rise, the hotel feels intimate and serene thanks to Fu’s bespoke approach and use of natural materials.
He designed all 117 rooms; restaurants and bars, including Salisterra, Mother Pearl and The Lawn; the wellness facility; and common areas. Features include a floating glass box-inspired lobby; a meditative Torii gate-inspired escalator; a 40-meter-high atrium; and materials like bamboo, timber, shoji glass, limestone and lacquered paper.
The dining room features a table that seats up to 18.
The recent completion of the suite, an homage to Fu’s beautiful architecture and design work, showcases Fu’s signature design style and provides a sanctuary for guests to enjoy views of Hong Kong in a well-appointed suite. The André Fu Suite spans 1,960 square feet and looks more like a residence than a hotel room. It blends his signature ‘relaxed luxury’ design ethos with a calming color palette. The Suite also looks different from the rest of The Upper House hotel rooms and common areas. The color palette includes mineral blue, dusty mink and pale ivory.
The color palette features soothing tones, which are different from others seen in the hotel.
It also documents Fu’s personal journey with the hotel, through original concept hand-sketches of the hotel and a collection of artisan books from his personal library. Fu also incorporated pieces from André Fu Living Collection, including furnishings, decorative lighting and home accessories, like a sculptural ottoman, mid-century-inspired furniture, porcelain tableware and more. Like his design work, Fu’s pieces focus on impeccable craftsmanship, sophisticated design and timeless style that will endure for years to come.
The André Fu Suite has one bedroom, a spacious living room, a dedicated spa room and two bathrooms. It’s the perfect place to entertain, as there is a dining table for 18 and a pantry with an oven. There are beautiful views of the city from every room and the natural light makes the calming color palette even brighter and more soothing.
In addition to the Suite, The Upper House recently welcomed its brand-new restaurant, Salisterra, helmed by London-based Michelin-starred chef Jun Tanaka. The restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine in a delightful space, which was also designed by Fu.
The André Fu Suite also features a dedicated massage room.
The Wes Anderson-esque space has a Mediterranean-inspired color palette of terracotta orange, mud burgundy, mineral blue, dusty turquoise and golden caramel. The restaurant boasts an elegant mid century style, best seen through a full-height bronze gate at the entrance, a bespoke chandelier, a counter table made from Azul Montelli marble and a cut-glass globe pendant. Ceramic tile with a bronze patina glaze, a burgundy marble bar and green lacquer design elements bring this beautiful restaurant to life.
