Hong Kong in July

[thegurio]

Hi all - we have a friends 25th Anniversary coming up in July and there has been discussion of going to Hong Kong for the week. What i would like to know is that they are thnking of staying at the accor there... Is it any good?

Secondly - cheapest way to get there for 2 people? I've got about 110k point and was looking and i can get another 10k for $350 to top it up to 120k (the points needed for an award flight) Is this the best use of funds considering it needs to be done on the cheap as much as possible so that we can have more money for shopping!

Speaking of that - is the electronics shopping any good there and how much cheaper *actually* is it? I need a new laptop and have my heart set on a TX series (the little 11 incher) from Sony so should i go agead and buy it there or just buy it from here to save any hassles? Also a PS3 too - are they that much cheaper of shall i spend another $50 here and get a place to return it and a shop front so to speak.

 

[simongr]

I have not found the electronics that much cheaper there. But a greater range of some things. Watch out for PS3 if it is region coded.

 

[serfty]

Tough time of year for travel; shoulder season 'til 23rd July, then peak thereafter.

- means awards are scarce and fares are just about at their highest. :-|

Ex HBA you may be able to do it on QF for ~1300pp all in.

 

[Evan]

Electronics can be really cheap, and also the same price as home (or within about 10%), just know what your buying and know the cheapest prices you can get from home and take the GST off because you could have claimed that.

E

 

[SeatBackForward]

For cheap electronics try these places:

Wanchai Computer Market (Google Map)
Mongkok Computer Market (Google Map)

Iif you can handle the crowds and confined fire-trap style environment - Sham Shui Po "Golden Centre" (Google Map). Three floors of computers, gaming and accessories. Just be warned that some places in Hong Kong will sell pirated software and/or modified consoles etc. Its illegal but not very well enforced.

I've linked to maps to help find these places, remember that Hong Kong has a vertical element to it, that we're not used to in Australia.

Else if you want less hassles, fixed prices, genuine good etc.. try these department stores which are pretty much all over Hong Kong:

Citicall
Gome
Broadway

 

[Mal]

Re Electronics, they are fairly well priced at the moment with the $AU-$HKD conversion of about 1-7.

Stay away from Nathan Road. You'll normally find cheap electronics there, but usually they'll be purchased elsewhere in Asia and resold there. Sometimes you'll even find that they've been previously used or are missing parts like genuine batteries (swapped with fakes) or accessories.

The Department stores and major chains (eg Fortress) are good bets, but the prices won't be as cheap as you'll find at other places. But you're more assured of not being ripped off.

Warranties can be an issue as can localisation features (eg Keyboards, or languages for mobile phones)

Keep in mind though you may be up for GST when returning to Australia (if you declare it as purchased overseas).

 

[Danger]

I stayed at the Novotel Century in January of last year. Perfectly comfortable, clean, very decent really. They have a free scheduled shuttle service (at least back then they did) that takes you to a number of stops in the tourist areas, including the central rail station. I'd recommend it, although it is a little out of the way, hence the shuttle I guess.

 

[HardieBoys]

Hong Kong in July is very humid and muggy, so be prepared.

The selection of electronics in HK is usually months ahead of Australia, with a broader range of options as well. It is generally cheaper than Australia, even when taking into consideration the GST refund, but the price difference varies, and it's certainly worth checking prices in both countries prior to departure.

The two main electronics chains are Fortress and Broadway, which are everywhere. Prices will be prominently displayed on all items, but asking for a discount is certainly worth it. What the Hongkongers do is often throw in 'extras' instead of discounting. For example, on my Canon Ixus camera, the price was about 10% cheaper than in Australia. But, they threw in a spare battery, 2G memory card in addition to the pre-supplied card, neoprene case, screen protectors and mini-tripod. Some the extras are worth something, some are not.

If there are no prices listed on items (e.g. Nathan Rd or in Mongkok), I'd be very cautious. You may get a bargain, you may get a lemon. In all cases, ensure that the goods are re-packed in front of you, and not taken out the back. Ensure that the instruction books are all in English, but in most cases nowadays, the documentation will be in both Chinese and English.

For mobile phones and digital cameras, you will generally be offered a local warranty. This is not the vendor being difficult, but standard practice.

What is good value in Hong Kong:

1. Clothes, including luxury clothes and basics, are good value (e.g. I bought a Prada wallet for under $AUD150 which retails in Australia for over $AUD 300; Calvin Klein underwear retails at less than $AUD 30 for 3 pairs, compared with $AUD 30 for 1 pair in Australia)
2. Watches are good value, with a much better range
3. PC, PSP and PS games are generally cheaper
4. Homewares including quirky local homewards (e.g. Goods of Desire, Muji, and Franc franc) are good value

For computers, try the Windsor House shopping centre, in Windsor St, Causeway Bay. Floors 10 - 12 have nothing but computers and accessories, so comparing prices between retailers is very easy.

Things to do when not shopping:

1. Lazy afternoon lunch down at Stanley; catch the bus from Central and sit upstairs on the right hand side for a great view of the south side of the Island
2. Day trip to Macau, seeing the 18th century colonial Portugese buildings
3. Exploring the antiques shops on Hollywood Rd
4. Yum cha at City Hall

 

[kpc]

Secondly - cheapest way to get there for 2 people?

Viva Macau has cheap fares from Sydney to Macau, which in turn is only a short ferry ride away from HK. Return flights are around the $800 mark, incl taxes, in July, but I'm told that you can snag a very cheap deal during happy hour on Thursdays (Just checked: it's 4-5pm;Fly Viva Macau) http://www.flyvivamacau.com.au/hotDeals/happyHour.aspx)....butbut the inconvenience factor!?
Fly Viva Macau

 

[HardieBoys]

Just checked the Air Macau flights, which are still over $AUD 900 return. You then have to add the ferry ticket prices (not particularly expensive), and the extra travelling time (Airport to ferry terminal, hanging around, ferry time). That said, the Macau ferry takes you right to Hong Kong Island.

I notice that QF have flights to HK advertised for $AUD 1013 including taxes, which is probably better value, as well as being much quicker, than the Air Viva Macau option.

 

[kpc]

Just checked the Air Macau flights, which are still over $AUD 900 return. You then have to add the ferry ticket prices (not particularly expensive), and the extra travelling time (Airport to ferry terminal, hanging around, ferry time). That said, the Macau ferry takes you right to Hong Kong Island.

I notice that QF have flights to HK advertised for $AUD 1013 including taxes, which is probably better value, as well as being much quicker, than the Air Viva Macau option.

I'm getting $802.10 incl taxes for a flight out on 27th July, and back on 31st July. After all, the OP asked for the cheapest option, not necessarily the most convenient / fastest option. I know people who have snagged fares for 1/2 that amount by booking during happy hour on Thursdays bet 4-5pm:mrgreen:l

 

[thegurio]

Wow and wow... i knew that if i asked you guys you'd come up with the goods...

Thanks a lot for your responses - i guess as is always the case, buyer beware, and know your prices before you go so that you know if your getting a bargain.

I knew it was going to be humid weather which im not really a fan of but still something i can put up with for looking at gadgets and electronics for a week straight!

What i should have said first up was the cheapest way with QF to get there as i desperately want silver but dont want to spend extra domestically to get it.

But anyways i think i might pay for me to get there and get MrsGurio on points so that its a bit cheaper - although dependant on my mood and my lust for gadgets i might save all the pennies for spending and go both on points!

Aside from electronics - is there anything else worth seeing/doing while we are there. Keep in mind that one of us will be recovering from tearing a AC ligament in the knee so wont be up to a lot of sitting/walking and the others will be quite happy to do anyhting.

EDIT: And places to stay any reccomendations? (Preferably within the Accor membership card)

 

[zig]

You might also like to scan the Hong Kong forum postings on Trip Advisor, they are a mine of information.

Hong Kong Forum - TripAdvisor

 

[HardieBoys]

If one of you is recovering from surgery, then you need to be a little careful. HK is not particularly friendly for the mobility-impaired person: there are stairs everywhere, uneven surfaces, and Lan Kwai Fong and Soho are really steep. Footpaths are crowded and narrow in these districts as well. That said, you'll get a nice view of the Mid Levels from the travelator (a series of escalators that take commuters up from Central to the Mid Levels). Remember also that taxis are very cheap in HK, but plan to move around outside of peak hours.

Other things to do in HK:

1. High tea, either at the Peninsula, or if you prefer a view, at the Intercontinental
2. The gallery has a good selection of Chinese ceramics and scrolls, as well as a range of temporary exhibitions
3. The flower market and bird market up at Yau Ma Tei are quite interesting
4. At 8 pm, there is a laser light show that highlights the main buildings in Central, best viewed from the Kowloon side

 

[Keith009]

Eat on Wellington St - a street away from Lan Kwai Fong. That goose place (some Chinese name of which I can't recall) is very nice, as are several noodle places. Oh and the prawn dumplings....yum *cries*.

I'd have suggested getting s*itfaced at LKF but that might be a tad challenging given the mobility issues.