Whenever we visit HKG these days, which is once, sometimes twice a year, we usually stay at the Royal Park in Shatin, with one of the driving factors being the great 'deal' you get staying at the executive floor (see my separate review on the hotel). One of the perks is that you can eat breakfast here at the cafe's buffet if you wish, as an alternative to eating at the Upper Lounge. The Upper Lounge is more exclusive, with more attentive service (unless there are so many customers that the limited staff of one is swamped), but the cafe has more variety: Japanese or Taiwanese breakfast, a noodle station, plus more choices in everything * from salad to condiments (kaya spread for your toast, anyone?) So why two stars? Maybe it's a bit harsh, and even though OUR price is included in the room rate, at at price of $238 HKD, this place is just not up to snuff any more! They are TRIMMING their selection - since our visit last year, one little station has been eliminated; smoked salmon is no longer offered (BIG minus!), and depleted food items are not quickly replenished. We were there one morning at 930, and they were out of water melon!!! Add to that staff that exhibit more a couldn't-care-less "service" attitude ** just leaves one hungry for more. I witnessed a waiter almost angrily trying to explain to a Korean customer (he certainly raised his voice!) that he cannot accommodate the request to cook food that he'd brought into the cafe himself. I know there's a language barrier and all that, but as a server, you must strive to always be polite and respectful, not to mention it's not classy to diss the customer in a language he doesn't understand - behind his back, but in front of OTHER customers (like me) who understand the language: it was almost like he was dissing ME, since I'm a customer. One more little peeve: I highly dislike the manager dude not wearing a tie; if all the servers are spiffed up, why should he be so casual? A suit and shirt but no tie (especially a white shirt) is not suitable for a place that charges over $30 USD for a breakfast buffet.
* Interesting side-note: I said they have more choices in almost everything: "almost" because, for grapefruit juice, you'd have to eat at the Upper Lounge. They have black currant (which is mixed from a cordial and not a 'juice' but it's popular in HKG), but no grapefruit.
** The lackadaisical service could be due to the practice of not tipping, or at least not tipping much, which is popular in Europe and now in HKG as well; the service charge is automatically added (10%), and sometimes it's not even possible or easy to tip above that. read more