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Christopher Dobson

Residents cherish the quality of life they get at the Harbour City complex

IF CLIENT SERVICES are a measure of quality, then the Gateway Apartments at Harbour City hold the honours for being top of the class, according to long-term residents at the Tsim Sha Tsui complex.

And if you couple service quality with cost, room size, location and membership of the nearby Pacific Club, you have the ideal Hong Kong home set-up for an expatriate.

After two years at the Gateway, Americans Gregg and Kate Tate were considering  relocating when Mr Tate's  job moved from Tsim Sha Tsui to Hong Kong Island East. But after looking at more than 30 apartments, the couple decided to stay put because the quality of life was better where they were, even if it meant a daily commute to the office.

'I sat down and listed the pluses and minuses and they didn't come close,' Mrs Tate said. 'The Gateway is head and shoulders better than anything else we have seen. I'm not crazy about Hong Kong, but living here has raised our lifestyle.'

Gateway Apartments, situated at the top of Tower 2, Harbour City, is a 14-storey residential complex with 499 rooms, ranging from 712 square feet to 2,931 sq ft.   Gateway comprises two buildings, Sutton Court and Hampton Court.

The Tates have made the spacious three-bedroom apartment home. It has glorious views of the harbour and they have filled their flat with their own furniture and  possessions.

'My first question was would they take the original bed out, as I'm really attached to my waterbed,' Mrs Tate said. 'I asked if they would take out other items, and then would they take everything out - which they did.'

Patrick Koslowski, a Cathay Pacific first officer,  moved into the Gateway  on the recommendation of colleagues and former residents, and has been there for more than two years. 'I did look at other serviced apartments, but this was the best - view-wise, location-wise, facility-wise and service-wise. It's an easy lifestyle here. You don't have to worry about anything,' he said.

Mr Koslowski's  initial  concerns that the Gateway Apartments would be run too much like a hotel  were quickly dispersed when he  found that  privacy was respected; when the 'do not disturb' sign is up, 'they really do not bother you'.

'In my job we stay in a lot of good hotels around the world, but none  compares with this,' he said.

Enhancing the Gateway lifestyle  is membership of the Pacific Club, situated on a pier below the rooms. It  offers  sports and dining facilities.

'I eat at the club and use the gym. It is an added bonus to have that available,' Mr Koslowski said.

Mrs Tate jokingly talks of 'my chef' when referring to the club's chef. 'They are very accommodating. We have parties there and they'll make food for us to bring home. The inclusion of the club with the Gateway makes it worthwhile,' she said.

Assistant general manager Dave Siu said the Gateway Apartments offered a balance of lifestyles, from 'total relaxation and comfort' to the hustle and bustle of Tsim Sha Tsui.

'It's pure indulgence,' he said. 'You are getting the best services here and our location is good. Residents have convenient access to all transport connections and two million square feet of shopping and dining facilities in Harbour City.'

Mr Siu believed lifestyle, personalised service and scale of operation were key to the Gateway's  success. 'In terms of serviced apartments we are the best value for money. In terms of available apartments on Kowloon-side, we are the best for services. All services. We are the only choice,' he said.

The Gateway has an occupancy rate of up to 90 per cent.



Expats on top of the world at the Gateway