Holidays in Hong Kong are about to get a lot more fun for families with kids in tow.

As part of an ongoing renovation project to revitalise the 33-year-old hotel—which included the opening of the expansive Yun Wellness spa and fitness centre in 2023 and a Hokkien restaurant, Ming Pavilion, earlier this year—Island Shangri-La has unveiled its brand-new 45th floor, ostensibly dubbed the Family Floor. Robb Report Hong Kong was privy to an inside look at the facilities, designed to cater to families with thoughtfully ideated themed suites and rooms without compromising on luxury or comfort.

Comprising 21 rooms and suites as well as practical common spaces, “whimsical adventure” is the key theme applied to the design of the new facilities. From the enchanting lift lobby bearing locomotive-station-like interiors and a working model train to the one-bedroom Fisherman’s Cove or Garden Lodge rooms, family-friendly form and function go hand in hand, so stay and play can happen in one space. Hong Kong’s maritime heritage and great outdoors are reflected in the vibrant design, allowing kids to rest in a fishing-boat- or log-cabin-shaped bed and entertain themselves with attached walkways, toys, and slides.

Kicking things up a notch are the two- and three-bedroom Family Suites. Perfect for larger groups, each one is brought to life following a unique visual concept, though still offering the same amenities of king-size bed for adults, bunk beds for children, two bathrooms, a pantry, an additional Murphy bed, and a slide. Hong Kong Wonders translates the loft-bed concept into the iconic double-decker tram, with button, cranks, and pedals to control lights and sounds. Safari Adventure invites guests on a journey to the savannah, where kids can camp out in a canvas-tent-encircled sleeping space in environment inspired by African terrain. In the Underwater Treasure Suite, explorers can “drive” a submarine, and the Enchanted Castle Suite sees kids overnighting in a fairy-tale fortress complete with crenelated battlements.

Jet off to space in the Airship Voyage Suite, where an interactive, blimp-like spacecraft with controllable mechanics forms the centrepiece of the children’s room, or venture into wonderland like Alice’s in the Fairy Garden Suite, replete with a carriage-themed bed and adorable woodland companions.

Best of all is that the fun doesn’t stop with the furniture. Island Shangri-La enlisted local illustrators such as Don Mak to create original murals for each suite, further enhancing them with UV details to entice younger guests to embark on a treasure hunt with a blacklight torch to unveil hidden characters, animals, and items in the paintings. Considering the beautiful features, perhaps it’s not just kids who will enjoy exploring the themed suites and floor.

A central feature of the new Family Floor is The Hangout, a communal room open to guests that operates akin to a club lounge. Children are often barred from entering hotel club lounges, and Island Shangri-La hopes to provide a novel solution to this with a dedicated space where parents and kids can come and go as they please, stocked with drinks, snacks, fruits, pastries, cakes, and light meals to be enjoyed in-room or the adjacent dining area. Children can also engage in activities such as reading, drawing, and playing board games in the next-door workshop room, as well as some guided activities such as ballroom dancing (not to be confused with babysitting services).

Island Shangri-La also addresses the concerns of families travelling with infants and toddlers through the well-stocked Pantry. Guests are welcome to use the on-site laundry and dryer appliances and baby bottle sanitisers at leisure, and even loan out items like strollers, sleeping cots, baby carriers, and high chairs for use during their stay on the Family Floor.

Clifford Weiner, general manager of Island Shangri-La, shares that “the launch of the Family Floor at Island Shangri-La underscores our commitment to being leaders in family travel in Hong Kong. We have created a haven which mixes fun and whimsy while also offering practicality for families looking for the ultimate in stress-free holidays.”

Perhaps your inner child would like to experience a stay like this, too.

All images courtesy of Island Shangri-La.