Hong kong, what to do, where to stay

[Jasecoop]

Hi all, just booked a trip with the wife to Hong Kong in August (with Cathay in J, looking forward to something different). Does anyone have any suggestions on things to do or see? Also a good place to stay, 5 star with a spa (to make up being 5 years late for our honeymoon!)CheersJase

 

[NM]

Hmmm, now lets see. I'll look out the window and give some ideas

What to do:

Well there are the usual touristy things like The Peak Tram, Stanley Markets, Jumbo Floating Restaurant at Aberdeen etc.

Take a ride on the ferry across the harbour.

Be harassed by the hawkers along Nathan Road. On Saturday Mrs NM and I counted 45 attempts to sell us copy watches or tailor services while walking from the TST ferry terminal to about 1km down Nathan Road. Avoided on the way back by taking the MRT

Be sure to experience some local fresh food markets. One such example is Bowrington Road in Causeway Bay, very close to Times Square. If in that area, then check out the street markets at Jardine's Crescent (other side of Times Square close to Sogo.

Where to stay:

Well, it really depends on where you want to be! Kowloon or Hong Kong? I prefer HK rather than Kowloon side of the hardbour, but I am sure others will have a different perspective. On Kowloon side, you could try the Intercontinental or The Langham. At HK side, perhaps Conrad. I normally stay at Causeway Bay, but certainly not 5 star down this end. I frequent Holiday Inn Express, Crown Plaza, The Excelsior, or Park Lane, but none meet your criteria.

Where to eat:

If you know a local or someone who speaks Cantonese, then there are some wonderful dining experience to be found. But if relying on English menus then some of the real treasures are going to be left behind. One of my favourite places is a "food court" on the second floor of a building at Happy Valley, but I only go there with a friend who knows how to order the right food. Had dinner there on Monday night, with the crawfish so fresh we could select the ones we wanted from the tank! And the banana muscles were just wonderful. Last night we dined at a little place along the Bowrington Rd markets where the braised goose was excellent. But again, I don't think I could go on my own as I don't speak or read Cantonese and the staff did not seem to understand much English.

The dim sum breakfast or lunch at the Jumbo Floating Restaurant at Aberdeen is very good and well suited to foreigners. Note it gets very busy on weekends, especially after around 1pm, so head out early. The easiest way is by taxi to the yacht club jetty where the free "ferry" will take you to the restaurant. Taxi cost us about HK$40 from Time Square.

Where to shop:

Well there are lots of up-market shopping malls, but they are much the same as shopping in Aus. Get out of the big malls and look for the smaller shops. Mrs NM found the shoe shopping to be amazing with a far better range of styles and colours than back home. She bought 4 pairs of shoes for about HK$600. Some good value clothing chains such as Bossini and Giordano are in most locations (Causeway Bay, Admiralty, TST, Mong Kok etc).

But be sure to check out some of the street markets. Some stuff there is junk, but some good value can be found too.

Note that most shops won't open until 10 or 11am, but will be open until 10pm.

Enjoy!

 

[Jasecoop]

Thanks NM, definitely given us a lot to digestCheers!

 

[notzac]

First up - nice choice of honeymoon destination!

My favourite hotel in Hong Kong is the Mira Hong Kong (The Mira Hong Kong - Modern & Stylish Contemporary Hotel Experience) - it's a little bit fun without being completely over the top. Nice rooms, pretty decent spa. Right on Nathan Road, which is very touristy but fun all the same.

 

[djfuzz]

HK was the first stop on our own honeymoon (chronicled here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....rip-photos/first-done4-trip-report-17907.html, though in hindsight it appears I was a bit light on the first HK visit), so we too tried to do something a little special whilst there.

We stayed at the Peninsula, which was probably one of the nicest places we've been to (so much so that we returned there on a subsequent visit to HK and also tried their Bangkok property recently). We ate at a couple of their restaurants - Felix, Spring Moon and high tea at the Lobby - and also availed of the shopping in the Peninsula Arcade, treatments at ESPA (awesome 'heat experience' included, with spectacular views over the harbour) and the Rolls Royce transfer service from the airport (right off the plane - however, in hindsight this was a bit of an extravagance given how easy it is to get into town from the airport on the train). Food-wise, can also recommend Tim Ho Wan (bit of a challenge to get in, but the food is absolutely worth it) and Dragon-i for yum cha, and a couple of restaurants at the Intercontinental (Yan Toh Heen and Nobu). As mentioned by NM, certainly worth doing some of the touristy things too, including the peak tram and the ferry. We didn't get a chance to go to the Big Buddha but would have liked to in retrospect.

Have also heard good things about the Mandarin Oriental, Hotel LKF, Langham Place Mongkok and the Upper House.

Having said that, we've only been to HK a handful of times, so by no means know enough to provide really comprehensive recommendations like many of the other members here.

 

[ric_melb]

NM has made some great recommendations.
I would also recommend the Conrad, and Island Shangri-La. Both over a major shopping centre with easy access to the MTR.
You must go on the Peak tram, and Star ferry. Also I recommend taking the double decker bus to Stanley.
And I am sure QF009 would recommend the W Hotel.

 

[NM]

Also I recommend taking the double decker bus to Stanley.

If you go to Aberdeen for Jumbo Floating Restaurant for brunch, then you can take the number 73 bus (double decker and quite a ride through the narrow roads and cuttings) down to Stanley. Be sure to get off before passing through Stanley and on to the prison!

Then options like the green minibus back to Causeway Bay will connect to MTR ti just about anywhere.

If staying for more than a few days, and planning on using the MTR, Ferries, buses and trams, then get an Octopus card. The card is available at the airport HKIA express train ticket counter or at any MTR station. Cost is HK$150 which covers HK$50 deposit and HK$100 credit. Octopus card can be used for travel on MTR, buses, trams (including Peak Tram), ferries, as well as for purchases at many stores including 7/11, McDonalds, Welcome supermarkets etc. Deposit and credit must be paid in cash and can be refunded in cash when leaving the airport.

 

[NM]

Have also heard good things about the Mandarin Oriental

Has a comprehensive whiskey bar! Though The Canny Man at Wan Chai is better value and has a very good whiskey menu

 

[NM]

My favourite hotel in Hong Kong is the Mira Hong Kong (The Mira Hong Kong - Modern & Stylish Contemporary Hotel Experience) - it's a little bit fun without being completely over the top. Nice rooms, pretty decent spa. Right on Nathan Road, which is very touristy but fun all the same.

For me, being on Nathan Road is a good reason to avoid. Having experienced 45 people accosting me in a 1km walk along Nathan Road, my dislike of Kowloon side of the harbour (and TST in particular) was confirmed last Saturday. I have NEVER been accosted by people trying to get me to buy fake watches or for tailor services on the Hong Kong side of the harbour (Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Tai Koo, even tourist places like Stanley and Aberdeen). But 45 times in a 1km walk along Nathan Road is well beyond my patience level. Though I did note that none of the people trying to extract my cash in this manner were locals or even of Chinese background! They were all from countries well to the west. And once north of Yau Ma Tei MTR station the regularity quickly drops off.

 

[Alanslegal]

If money is not an issue, I would stay at the new Ritz Carlton .... I believe its currently the highest hotel in Asia? and with breathtaking views of the harbour and city skyline.

However with money an issue - read me - I am staying at the W Hong Kong. Will be there in less than a week Also you get a verrrry nice Bliss Spa on Level 74! or was it 72?!

 

[Major]

If you like seafood try the Rainbow Restaurant on Lamma Island. Their ferry will pick you up from either Kowloon or Hong Kong side

Rainbow Seafood Restaurant

 

[shambles]

personally I love the crazy hustle bustle of the kowloon side, Mongkok in particular. Sure, people hassle you but ignore them, it's just part of what makes HK such an eclectic place. The markets are fun, the street food abundant, it's a mad blend of western opulance & british imperialism, jumbled up with crazy chinese chaos. It's what makes Singapore so boring by comparision.

I always stay at the Langham Place in the heart of Mongkok - it's like a lush oasis in the middle of crazy town. The service is awesome without being snobby or pretentious, the food and facilities are fantastic as you'd expect from a fairly new property (built about 5 or 6 years ago I think). If you stay there, make sure you join their 1865 club, it's free but I just love the upgrades and 6pm checkout, esp if you want to make the most of your days and have evening departure flights

I'm sure I've merely scratched the surface of the many amazing eating experiences HK has to offer so others on here are probably a far better informed than I, but my No1 HK eatery for a romantic night out with the minister for war & finance, is Aqua Roma, Aqua Tokyo down on the harbour kowloon side . The views of the laser light show as darkness falls and the harbour skyline are world class and the food is amazing. Its the only place i've seen that combines fine Italian and Japanese fare and whilst it's pricy, for a romantic night with the missus it's in my global top five (The Pearl in Reykjavik tops that list)
Aqua Restaurant Group ? Hong Kong, Beijing, London

Hotel Hong Kong - Langham Place Hotel Hong Kong

Enjoy!

 

[Limewood]

We've been going to HK for years on business and vacation, this year we stayed at Kowloon Hotel, room small but Club floor awesome, free booze, coffee & snacks, full on breakfast, internet and late checkout, was about $250 a night, they have larger super suites for just $50 more we were told later. Location is spot on for MTR railway and waterfront.

An experience is to visit the Steik restaurant in Kowloon (18 Hanoi Road) had the best lobster ever which they import from Boston USA, Chef Brian is an Aussie, brilliant bar and service too. Also, must visit Dan Ryan's joint at Ocean terminal is a US style bar and eatery, fab food, great location and ambiance right on waterfront.

There are some great markets, like ladies markets in Mongkok (from 12.30pm) and another is the Temple st markets (5pm on)

Take a day tour to Macau by high speed ferry will see a larger Las Vegas!.

 

[notzac]

For me, being on Nathan Road is a good reason to avoid. Having experienced 45 people accosting me in a 1km walk along Nathan Road, my dislike of Kowloon side of the harbour (and TST in particular) was confirmed last Saturday. I have NEVER been accosted by people trying to get me to buy fake watches or for tailor services on the Hong Kong side of the harbour (Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Tai Koo, even tourist places like Stanley and Aberdeen). But 45 times in a 1km walk along Nathan Road is well beyond my patience level. Though I did note that none of the people trying to extract my cash in this manner were locals or even of Chinese background! They were all from countries well to the west. And once north of Yau Ma Tei MTR station the regularity quickly drops off.

There are two ways to avoid being accosted:

1. Wear headphones (and perhaps sunglasses, but only to avoid eye contact if you otherwise can't). I'm really not sure why this worked as well as it did, but I wasn't complaining.
2. Carry a suit bag and wear a big smile on your face. For bonus points, tell any tout still game enough to approach you what a great deal you got.. it upsets them for some reason.

But otherwise, I totally get what you're saying. For me Nathan Road is convenient for the tailor I go to, plus the MTR is right by the hotel so it's a short jump to the HK side as well.

 

[shambles]

There are two ways to avoid being accosted:

1. Wear headphones (and perhaps sunglasses, but only to avoid eye contact if you otherwise can't). I'm really not sure why this worked as well as it did, but I wasn't complaining.
2. Carry a suit bag and wear a big smile on your face. For bonus points, tell any tout still game enough to approach you what a great deal you got.. it upsets them for some reason.

But otherwise, I totally get what you're saying. For me Nathan Road is convenient for the tailor I go to, plus the MTR is right by the hotel so it's a short jump to the HK side as well.

Or...
carry a shotgun
Or...
dress like this



either way, even the hardest of hawkers will run a mile

 

[Limewood]

There are not that many hawkers as in the past. most are down on waterfront flogging suits, if approached totally ignore them, and never speak to them as then they will try to engage you in conversation, just keep walking, they get the message quickly.

Once in terminal grab a train ticket to city, its fast, clean and comfortable, also get a weekly MTR rail ticket great for riding around the city in the super clean underground trains. On way out can get cash for unused ticket portion!.

Check luggage into Kowloon airline station, then hop on train to airport.

 

[kamchatsky]

I would recommend IC Hong kong with Harbour View rooms (using IHG Family and Friends rate). View of HK Island Skyline from Kowloon is way better than the view of Kowloon Skyline from HK Island. It is at Tsim Sha Tsui and is not really chaotic. I also had buffet lunch at SPOON restaurant at IC HK and it was great. it is also short walk to TST MTR station and also Star Ferry.


Whilst Kowloon (esp Mongkok) is a bit chaotic, it is actually good because it is "less touristy" than HK side, and you can see the real HK in action.

 

[NM]

Whilst Kowloon (esp Mongkok) is a bit chaotic, it is actually good because it is "less touristy" than HK side, and you can see the real HK in action.

I find it the complete opposite. I find Kowloon (esp Nathan Road and Mongkok) to be touristy, and HK (Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay etc) to be the business centre and more "real". Obviously Aberdeen and Stanley are more toutisty. Its interesting how different people can have very different perceptions of the same places! But that is what forums like this are all about and shows why anyone visiting Hong Kong region should check out both sides of the harbour for themselves.

 

[craven morehead]

Mortons of Chigaco in the Sheraton was a great feed :mrgreen:

 

[Zippy7]

My 2 cents worth regarding some hotels I have stayed in located near Central on the island.
I stay in Central because my office is there, and the company pays for the accomodation.

Four Seasons.
Probably the nicest and best hotel in terms of room, view and service.
I only ate room service once and it was great.
Apparently there is a fantastic view from the pool as well.
Probably the newest of the ones I have stayed in, and definitely worth staying at if you don't mind coughing up.
I had walked from the Airport Express station through IFC shopping centre to get to the hotel.
They do have a courtesy vehicle to drive you around the block!
IIRC, they use L'Occitane toiletries.

Mandarin Oriental (on Connaught Rd)
Quite nice, luxurious, has all the mod-cons.
They've upgraded their entertainment/tv system since March (stayed there earlier this week).
It is very well appointed for what you would expect.
Breakfast in the lounge is nice too (had it included last year, but not this year)
Side comment - although the bed is very nice on its own, after staying a week at JW Marriott @Juhu Beach in Mumbai - I do find it a bit firm!!
Good, but have been wanting to try out the Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hotel to compare.
I normally haul my stuff out onto the footbridge and walk myself over.
They used Hermes toiletries, then had a short period of using Salvatore Ferragamo stuff, and now have a hybrid mix of Hermes and some house-brand soap.

Island Shangri-La
Nice location, rooms are a tad older, but still very nice.
Right above Pacific Place, where the shopping can rip you a new one if you're not careful!
The elevators will drive you mad - they seriously need to address that problem, but I don't know they can or want to...
You can get a free shuttle-bus from the Airport Express terminal at HK station.
Can't remember the toiletries used.

Hotel LKF
Nice modern hotel, well located if you are going to be drinking or out late each night.
Do NOT stay here if you are on business.
They provide earplugs next to your bed - use it if you stay there.
If you wake around midnight-1am, you will still hear the doof-doof through the earplugs. Be warned!
Since you are there for leisure, then it may not bother you as you won't need to rise early.
Don't know about shuttle bus availability as I only stayed one night, and I caught a cab to the airport express station at 6am!
IIRC, it was Molton and Brown, or something like that.

JW Marriott HK
Older hotel, needs a refurb, not up to the standards of the others here.
There are plenty of others to choose before staying here.
If you have to, then sign up to Marriott Rewards and link to your QFF. At least you'll get a few points for your troubles.
You can get a free shuttle-bus from the Airport Express terminal at HK station.
Toiletries were some standard generic style stuff you'd probably find under a black and gold label...

I've heard about other hotels, but don't want to comment as I have not stayed at them.
I've mainly stayed at the Mandarin Oriental because it is closest to the office.
All hotels *except Hotel LKF* are conveniently located near MTR stations.
The Four Seasons is a walk, but it is all undercover!
Also, the Four Seasons is right on the walkway that leads up to the mid-levels/soho area, so good access to food...

Since you are flying Cathay, you can buy yourself the Airport Express ticket inflight and save HKD$20 per ticket if you are buying the ticket to central (HK Station).