Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong Closes Its Doors

Come January, the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong will stop operating. In its place, a high-rise commercial office building will loom over the city. Though not as fabled as The Peninsula, the Ritz-Carlton was known for its timeless elegance and outstanding amenities, like the complimentary Romantic Concierge, six restaurants, and extensive catering to female business travelers. But what we'll miss the most is the heated outdoor pool, the only one in the downtown area. Fans of Ritz-Carlton will be relieved to know that the company has two other properties under development in the region: a hotel-casino in Macau (of course) and another hotel in Kowloon's International Commerce Center. Scheduled for completion in 2010, the 116-storey Kowloon property will be the world's tallest hotel (1575 feet).