There Goes the ’Hood
With its hip community vibe, Yingn’Flo is perfectly perched in between home and hotel digs.
My most memorable stays are always the ones where accommodations and locale were totally in sync. Our gorgeous third floor flat in Seville, Spain, was within an easy walk of the best flamenco and tapas the city had to offer. Our riad in Fes, Morocco, was anchored by a huge bathtub perfect for long soaks after happily losing ourselves in the maze of the city’s ancient medina. And though staycations are hopefully behind us, I’d gladly go for Yingn’Flo if we ever need a little getaway without leaving the city.
Yingn’Flo is the latest brainchild of the Langham Hospitality Group, yet it’s light years from the traditional comforts of the Langham Hotel or the contemporary offerings of Cordis. In spirit, it’s more like its cousin Eaton HK: young and stylish, but without all the bells and whistles of F&B, gym, ballroom or the usual trappings of a conventional hotel. It doesn’t need them, being a stone’s throw away from the Blue House and Wan Chai’s plethora of other distractions, whether they’re culinary or cultural.
I like that Yingn’Flo is tucked behind a nondescript alley beside the historic Wan Chai post office. The hilly walk winds around a primary-hued graffiti plastered on the walls surrounding the building by Berlin artist Josephine Rais. A few steps lead up to the lobby, a sweet space with splashes of sunlight from an adjacent terrace. The check-in is easy peasy: a dedicated app means you don’t even need to talk to anyone. There is coffee available throughout the day, and a selection of pastries in the morning to which guests can help themselves.
Within, there are several spacious common areas next to the lift lobby to unwind in. The Arcade is decked out with a foosball table and vending machines while the Music Room is a cosy place to dive into a novel or hang out with friends. A leafy terrace has a number of nooks and crannies to soak in some rays and sip wine. These areas, plus two recently renovated floors, were designed by Linehouse’s Hong Kong studio, helmed by Kiwi Briar Hickling. She also did Basehall in Jardine House while Linehouse’s sister studio in Shanghai headed by Alex Mok has a number of hospitality and retail projects across the border under its belt.
The guest rooms are mini-me versions of well-appointed apartments and start at HK$950 per night. There are three units per floor, and each comes fully decked out with queen size bed, sofa for binge watching the flatscreen TV, and dining area that doubles as work space. I love all the little touches of home: bay windows are great for curling up with a cup of tea, while glazed tiles in different shades of green brighten the bathroom and kitchen. Fitted with combi washer-and-dryer plus full size fridge and hob, the kitchen is a good break from cha chaan tengs or take-aways, especially for longer stays. And it’s good to know the entire building is pet-friendly, so that Fido can keep me in good company.
Regardless of how much planning is needed and the demand for the suddenly fine art of “connecting”, we’re starting to travel again, and friends and family are dropping in for visits. So no matter if it’s an ideal spot for out-of-towners, a home away from home during staycations, or an in-between place for when life throws a curve ball – or a burst pipe – I’m all for Yingn’Flo’s carefree vibe, right in the heart of Wan Chai. — RL
Yingn’Flo
Where: 3-5 Wanchai Gap Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Hours: N/A
Details: 3182 7088; www.yingnflo.com