Suite Dream

For more than 20 years, suite 1600 at the InterContinental Hong Kong (intercontinental.com) was one of Asia's best-kept secrets. Landscaped terraces, a private solarium and a Jacuzzi with an eye-popping view of the Hong Kong skyline were some of the features that lured guests from movie star Jean-Claude Van Damme to former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. They, and anyone else lucky enough to have spent a night there, probably came away with the feeling that the two-bedroom facility was all but unimprovable.

Not true. After a $2.5 million makeover, 1600 has reopened as the hotel's presidential suite. An additional story, three new bedrooms,

an infinity pool, a dining room and a gym take the total area to a lavish 650 sq m. The new decor features specially commissioned artwork and a host of subtle designer touches, including Georg Jensen desk accessories and Christian Fischbacher 500 thread-count linens. There are Jacuzzis indoor and out, and steam and sauna rooms besides.

You'll also have enough space to entertain up to 36 friends for dinner, but to make a real impression, why not have just one guest? Executive chef Laurent André will design a menu for you and your companion, and a butler will serve it on the terrace. Given that the suite costs $11,200 a night, exclusive of taxes, you might ask whether the hotel could throw in a string quartet as well.