Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin [In-Depth Review]

Hong Kong is one of the most unique places on Earth. Known for its natural beauty, incredible cuisine, and being one of the world’s most significant financial centers, Hong Kong has plenty to offer anyone visiting. I should know: This was my 11th time in Hong Kong over the past 10 years.

Choosing where to stay in Hong Kong is always a tough decision, as there are hundreds of hotels with varying price tags. Of course, there are the major hotel chains, like Marriott, Hilton, IHG, and Hyatt. However, there are also a ton of cost-effective local hotels and hostels.

Since I had 1 night left in Hong Kong without a hotel booked, I wanted to enjoy my last night in luxury. Accommodations in Hong Kong can be expensive, so I went with the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin, as I found incredible cash rates.

As a World of Hyatt Globalist, I try to stay at as many Hyatt properties as I can to take advantage of my elite benefits. Although this 5-star resort hotel is farther away from Hong Kong’s main sights than others, I wanted to see why its cash rates were so low.

Here is my full review and take on why you should consider the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin, if you are visiting Hong Kong.

Booking

Hyatt is my favorite hotel chain, and I also prefer the World of Hyatt loyalty program to other programs, such as Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors.

Since I wanted to stay at a Hyatt property (and probably use World of Hyatt points), I searched the Hyatt hotels in Hong Kong. Fortunately, Hyatt had several locations to choose from.

As expected, Hong Kong hotels could be quite expensive, so I started by narrowing down the choices based on the cost of the properties in cash and the cost in World of Hyatt points. As expected, cash prices were quite high.

I planned on booking a Category 3 property right near the city center. However, I noticed another Category 3 property a bit away from the city center: the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin, which was relatively inexpensive. I was intrigued, as the hotel could be booked for less than $130 per night.

Since I am a fan of the Hyatt Regency brand, I thought I would just pay outright and give this property a chance, considering it was listed as a 5-star luxury resort hotel.

Paying Cash vs. Using Points

The Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin, is a Category 3 property, meaning that award nights start at 9,000 points per night (off-peak) and can be as high as 15,000 points per night (peak). Since we were in the shoulder season, this property could be booked for 12,000 points.

According to our valuations, World of Hyatt points are worth 1.5 cents per point, making 12,000 points worth $180. However, the cash price was relatively low compared to the points price, as it could be booked for just under HK$898 (~$115).

If I were to book this stay using my World of Hyatt points, I would have gotten a paltry 1.05 cents per point. Hard pass.

I booked a 1 King Room, which was the cheapest available. Since the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin, had 562 rooms and suites, I hoped I would get upgraded to a nicer room for being a World of Hyatt Globalist.

The room for this March 2024 stay was just under HK$988 (~$126), including taxes and fees.

I used The World of Hyatt Credit Card for payment to earn up to 9x points total for Hyatt stays: 4x Bonus Points on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels and up to 5x Base Points from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The World of Hyatt card offers a fast track to Hyatt elite status, an annual free night, and up to 9x points per $1 on Hyatt stays.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

The World of Hyatt card offers a fast track to Hyatt elite status, an annual free night, and up to 9x points per $1 on Hyatt stays.

Welcome Offer

Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Earn 30,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, up to 30,000 more points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, up to $15,000 spent.

Up to 60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$900

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.99% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The World of Hyatt Credit Card makes your Hyatt stays more rewarding and helps you get coveted World of Hyatt elite status faster. This card is a must-have for any traveler who regularly stays at Hyatt hotels, or even for anyone who’s able to take advantage of the card’s annual free night certificate.

When you factor in all the benefits the World of Hyatt card offers, it’s easy to see why it is one of the best co-branded hotel credit cards on the market.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
• 2x points per $1 at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit, rideshares, and fitness clubs/gym memberships
• 1x point per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $95 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
• Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
• Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
• Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open
• Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
• Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
• Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
• Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.99% - 27.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

World of Hyatt

I earned 746 World of Hyatt points for the stay, worth about $11.

Location

The Hyatt Regency is in the hills of the New Territories of Hong Kong. Although Sha Tin is a short journey from the major sights of Hong Kong, it can be easily reached thanks to Hong Kong’s fantastic public transportation system, particularly the Mass Transit Railway (MTR).

Notable nearby attractions include Sha Tin Racecourse and Hong Kong Science Park.

Getting There

If you are coming from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), you can take the A47X bus from the Airport Ground Transportation Centre bus terminus. You can get off the bus at Ma Liu Shui Public Pier and walk 10 minutes to the hotel.

However, if you are already in Hong Kong, it is still easy to get to the property. From Admiralty Station, a major transportation hub in Hong Kong, take the East Rail Line toward Lo Wu and hop off at University Station after 8 stops. The journey takes roughly 30 minutes. From the University MTR station, it is a 5-minute walk to the hotel.

Hot Tip:

Check out our detailed guide on the best ways to fly to Hong Kong with points and miles.

Check-In

After getting off at University Station, I walked to the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin.

I proceeded straight to the check-in counters.

I was glad to see a separate priority check-in lane for those with World of Hyatt elite status.

The front desk representative thanked me for my loyalty to Hyatt. He also upgraded me to a 1 King Studio room on the 25th floor.

I was hoping for a suite, but the front desk manager told me the hotel was nearly at full occupancy for the night. Still, I was happy to be on the floor with the Hyatt Regency Club, where I intended to spend most of the day.

The front desk agent went through the numerous facilities the property offered, provided instructions on connecting to the hotel Wi-Fi and reaching the elevators, and confirmed my 4 p.m. late checkout.

Check-in was efficient and completed in under 5 minutes. The front desk representative was courteous and professional, which I always appreciate. I was also thankful that my room was ready, even though I checked in at 11 a.m.

Elite Benefits

As a World of Hyatt Globalist, I was entitled to several enhanced benefits, including:

• Free daily breakfast
• 4 p.m. late checkout upon request
• Upgrade to best room, up to standard suites
• Club lounge access

It is worth noting that Globalist members could check in at the Regency Club if the lines at check-in were long. However, I did not choose to do this, as I would have needed hotel staff to walk me to the elevators to allow me access to the 25th floor.

Lobby

Across from the check-in counter was a sofa, a few armchairs, and a wooden desk.

Another seating area was about 10 feet away. This section was smaller, with seating for 4 people. To the right of the seating area, escalators went up to the business center and some of the hotel’s on-site restaurants.

There were elevators near the check-in desk, but these elevators only went up to the 15th floor.

I used the elevators down the hall because my room was higher than the 15th floor. I loved this concept of splitting up the elevator loads as they were constantly in use, and there were often long queues.

The hotel lobby was quite large. Although there weren’t a lot of seats, I didn’t mind, as I did not need to use them.

Amenities

In addition to the Regency Club and several restaurants, the property had a ton to offer.

Fitness Center

The hotel featured a massive 24-hour fitness center with over 25 different pieces of equipment. These included cardio machines (with built-in TVs and fans) and strength equipment.

The extensive selection range of strength equipment included free weights and a Smith machine.

The fitness center also featured a yoga room with more incredible views of the nearby mountains.

Pool

The hotel also had a temperature-controlled outdoor swimming pool with a sundeck and whirlpool. A lifeguard was present during opening hours, 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Although I did not get in the pool, I did spend time lounging near it. Lounge chairs surrounded the pool, with umbrellas placed every few seats apart. I was in awe of the magnificent mountain views.

Garden

The hotel also featured a spacious, landscaped garden behind the hotel. The garden was well-maintained and had dedicated caretakers.

This garden would be an ideal location for outdoor weddings, which the hotel offers.

I found this tree to be quite fascinating. It was evident how diligently the garden staff worked to keep everything looking so clean.

Tennis Court

The property also featured a full-size, regulation tennis court. Although I don’t play tennis often, I could imagine this being an excellent way to pass the time and have a workout at the hotel.

Melo Spa

Named after the pomelo, which is called a “Sha Tin grapefruit” in Cantonese, Melo Spa incorporated natural ingredients into its treatments. Services included massages, body therapies, and facials.

In-house guests received 20% off of all treatments. However, this only applies to services between Mondays and Thursdays.

Meeting Rooms

The hotel also featured 9 boardroom-style Regency Club meeting rooms. These rooms featured a private reception and relaxation area, as well as group tables.

Guests must contact a Regency Club staff member to schedule a meeting room. Since I needed to take a phone call and did not want to use my phone in the Regency Club, I requested a meeting room.

Rooms varied by group size. Although I was by myself, I was given this large meeting room, as all the others were booked. The room also featured large windows with terrific views of the nearby mountains.

Business Center

The hotel also featured a small business center a floor above the lobby. You could take the escalator from the lobby directly to the entrance of the business center.

The business center had 3 private workstations. Although they did the job, the computers were relatively slow and outdated.

It also featured a copier and printer.

The Room — 1 King Studio

After I got off the elevator on the 25th floor, I walked down the narrow hallway to my room.

As I entered, I was amazed at how massive the room was. The 1 King Studio room measured 62 square meters (667 square feet) in all.

Immediately to the left of the door was a large closet with a sliding door. Inside the closet, I found the room’s safe, an iron and ironing board, and a robe. There were also 2 disposable slippers.

Another closet was to the right of the door. I used this closet to store my bag and shoes. 

The studio was open-concept. As you entered, a large, 4-person dining table essentially divided the foyer and kitchenette from the living area.

The hotel provided a complimentary bottle of Bordeaux, fruit, and sweets.

The kitchenette, which was massive and larger than the kitchen at my home, was in the same room.

It featured a sturdy granite countertop. On the counter was a filtered water dispenser with instructions. To address plastic pollution, the Hyatt Regency provides guests with filtered water dispensers in guest rooms instead of single-use bottled water.

Below the filtered water dispenser, there were a few drawers. The first drawer was filled with the minibar menu and spoons. It also had Nescafé coffee pouches and premium tea bags. The 2 drawers below it were empty.

Below the microwave were a few cabinets. Most were empty, but the one on the far right housed the room’s minibar.

The fee-based minibar contained distilled and bubbling water, international beers, and soft drinks.

Above the countertop were several more kitchen cabinets. All of them were empty except for the one on the far left, which contained wine glasses and mugs.

The main living section of the room had a massive desk on the left. I immediately noticed the steel legs and big slab of wood.

A pen, notepad, antiseptic wet tissue packets, lamp, Ethernet cord for grounded internet, and the room’s telephone were on the desk.

A comfortable office chair was behind the desk.

Next to the workstation in the middle of the room was a brown, velour sofa that could comfortably fit 2 adults and a large coffee table.

Across from the sofa was a wall-mounted, flat-screen TV. On the console was a room service menu, a universal power adapter, a TV remote, and a card with a QR code you could scan for more hotel information.

The king-size bed was to the left of the sofa and TV. The bed was extremely comfortable and featured 4 thick pillows.

The headboard was plush.

Both sides of the bed had a small, wall-mounted wooden shelf and lamp with an adjustable reading light. On the right was a second telephone and thermostat.

On the left shelf was an alarm clock.

An armchair with an ottoman was to the left of the bed.

Behind the sofa, the windows had an expansive view of a nearby mountain and residential buildings.

You could also see the hotel’s massive swimming pool.

I used a deep ledge in front of the windows to unpack my bag.

The room did have one notable drawback: the carpet. The carpet looked overused and worn out and could have benefited from a refresh.

Bathroom

The bathroom was also incredibly spacious. The main section had a sink with a massive mirror behind it.

On the countertop was a wooden box filled with toiletries, including a dental kit, shower cap, cotton pads, sanitary bag, and cotton buds. There was also a separate tissue box and Pharmacopeia-branded body lotion.

Below the sink were towels, a hair dryer, a spare toilet paper roll, and a bathmat. The room also had a scale.

A door separated the toilet room from the rest of the bathroom.

To the left of the toilet was a walk-in shower and bathtub. As expected, the shower pressure was fantastic, and the controls were responsive, making for quick water temperature changes.

Pharmacopeia-branded shampoo, conditioner, and body wash were provided. I’m a fan of Pharmacopeia products, as they are cruelty-free, vegan, and made with aloe vera.

The bathtub was nice and spacious, although I did not use it during my stay.

Bottom Line:

Overall, the room was incredibly spacious and had a great sense of luxury. I especially liked the wood tones and the views from the windows. Although it was not a suite, I was completely satisfied with the room, as it was better than expected.

Food and Beverages

The Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin, had several on-site restaurants, ranging from a cozy bar to an international cafe to a full-on traditional Chinese dining experience.

Sha Tin 18

The hotel’s main on-site restaurant, Sha Tin 18, is accessible via the lobby escalators, which go up 2 floors.

Sha Tin 18 restaurant served authentic Dongguan and northern Chinese cuisine in a lively show-kitchen environment where you could watch chefs prepare your food. The restaurant had 2 signature dishes: Peking duck and flambéed rose-wine–barbecued pork with lard rice.

The restaurant also offered traditional dim sum such as steamed shrimp; bamboo shoot dumplings; steamed shrimp, pork, and crab roe dumplings; and fresh chicken congee.

Guests could choose from booth seating or circular dining tables.

The restaurant also had several intimate dining rooms that required reservations.

The central seating areas were best for those wanting to see the performances by the chefs.

Although the food looked incredible, I did not eat here, as the prices were quite high. However, I could see this being an excellent place to dine for a unique cooking show and authentic Chinese cuisine.

Cafe

The hotel’s secondary restaurant, Cafe, was accessible directly from the lobby. It was an all-day restaurant with an à la carte menu and buffets.

The restaurant had a main dining area, a private room, and a connecting terrace. It was busy when I came to check it out during dinner time.

Cafe featured 4 open kitchens with freshly made international delicacies. These included refreshing seafood on ice, wok-fried dishes, freshly baked pizza, pastas, grilled meat, freshly made desserts, and pastries.

As a sushi lover, I was impressed by the variety of sushi in the restaurant. Best of all, it all looked fresh.

A case had tuna, salmon, and octopus sashimi.

An entire section was dedicated to grilled meat, including barbecue pork, brisket, and beef tenderloin. The restaurant also had grilled lobster, which looked exquisite.

Tin Tin Bar

The hotel’s main bar, Tin Tin Bar, offered an extensive selection of whiskeys and cocktails in a warm, contemporary setting. The cocktail bar provided a classy yet relaxed atmosphere, and I loved the lighting.

Tin Tin Bar had live performers every evening. The evening I dropped by, the bar had karaoke with a large selection of international songs.

Regency Club

The hotel featured a Regency Club, which is common at many Hyatt Regency hotels. Fortunately, it was also on the 25th floor, the same floor as my room.

As I entered the Regency Club, the club manager greeted me and checked me in. The Regency Club was divided into 3 main areas: an outside balcony, a lounging area with armchairs, and a dining room.

The club’s main seating area was quite spacious and could accommodate more than 35 people.

The lounge was divided into separate seating sections with 4 armchairs and 2 tables per section.

The outdoor balcony was nice to sit on, and this is where I spent the majority of the time in the Regency Club. There were a few tables for those wanting to relax while admiring the view.

From the balcony, I could see part of the Sha Tin neighborhood

A section in the middle was where the buffet food and beverages were served.

The lounge had a good selection of beverages throughout the day, including soft drinks and fruit juices.

There was also a coffee machine, but an option for hot chocolate was noticeably absent.

Several dining tables were past the section where the food was served.

The Regency Club’s large windows allowed copious natural light to enter, and you could also see Tolo Harbor.

I got snacks throughout the day, including nuts, potato chips, and a chocolate muffin. The snack options rotated daily.

Cocktail Hour

The Regency Club also offered evening cocktails every evening between 6 and 8 p.m.

I was pleasantly surprised at the variety of food available during the evening cocktails. There was a heavy emphasis on seafood, which I absolutely loved.

I went with the grilled salmon linguini, shrimp with cocktail sauce, freshly made guacamole, and lightly grilled slices of salmon. I enjoyed the food so much that I got a second plate.

Breakfast

Lastly, Globalists and guests with Club Access rooms could also have breakfast at the Regency Club daily between 6:30 and 10:30 a.m.

I found the breakfast selection to be quite limited. There were several types of breads and pastries …

… as well as cold cuts and salads.

After grabbing pastries and slices of salmon, it was time to eat. Although everything on the plate was delicious, I went slightly overboard with the amount of sugar I consumed.

You could also order an omelet, poached eggs, and beef or plain congee from a limited made-to-order menu. I went with a mushroom, cherry tomato, and Parmesan cheese omelet.

The omelet did not taste good; I took a single bite and had to put the rest aside. At least the hash brown tasted delicious.

Bottom Line:

Overall, I enjoyed my experience at the Regency Club. I especially enjoyed the evening cocktail event, as the food was perfect. However, the same could not be said for breakfast. I would rather have slept through breakfast.

Service

The hotel staff was simply wonderful. Despite my many requests, every hotel staff member I spoke with was incredibly welcoming and smiling. It felt like they enjoyed their jobs and took pride in ensuring guests had a positive experience at the hotel.

I especially enjoyed my time with the staff at the Regency Club, where I spent the majority of my stay. I got to know a few of the staff members and discussed everything from our favorite hotels to our travel ambitions.

Final Thoughts

The Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin, is an excellent Hyatt property worth considering for those traveling to Hong Kong. Although the property is about 30 minutes from many of Hong Kong’s major tourist attractions, it is worth going out of your way to stay there. I would consider this an excellent escape from the hustle and bustle that Hong Kong is known for.

Although I was not upgraded to a suite, the King Studio was very nice. The room was so spacious that I temporarily forgot I was in Hong Kong, where space is a luxury.

The Regency Club was a great way to pass the time and featured a fantastic evening cocktail hour. There was an excellent selection of food, all of which tasted delicious. However, breakfast was a miss, as there wasn’t too much variety.

Nonetheless, I absolutely recommend the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin, and will stay here again the next time I visit Hong Kong, which I hope will be sooner rather than later.