Hotel recommendations for Hong Kong and Shanghai

[wile_e]

Hi all, as part of a broader trip Mrs wile_E and I will be heading to HK (3 nights) and Shanghai (3 nights) over Dec-10/Jan-11. We'll be there on holiday, so we'll be doing the usual touristy stuff in both cities. In Shanghai, thinking of setting aside a day to visit either Suzhou or Hangzhou, so if you've been to either (or both) of these cities, which did you enjoy more?

Right now we're booked into the Sheraton HK Towers and Le Royal Meridien Shanghai, however recommendations would be welcome.

Cheers,
w

 

[rechoboam]

Hi all, as part of a broader trip Mrs wile_E and I will be heading to HK (3 nights) and Shanghai (3 nights) over Dec-10/Jan-11. We'll be there on holiday, so we'll be doing the usual touristy stuff in both cities. In Shanghai, thinking of setting aside a day to visit either Suzhou or Hangzhou, so if you've been to either (or both) of these cities, which did you enjoy more?

Right now we're booked into the Sheraton HK Towers and Le Royal Meridien Shanghai, however recommendations would be welcome.

Cheers,
w

What's your budget? In HG I would stay at the Island Shangri-La if money was no object, based in other peoples reports. However in the past the Marco Polo Hong Kong was good value, good Kowloon location, and comfortable, but poor views.
Get out to one of the islands for fresh fish.

 

[wile_e]

Budget? Great question. I'm looking at between $200 to $350 per night, but "less is sometimes more" so to speak...

 

[harvyk]

After just coming back from HK and Shanghai (exclusively those two cities ) in the last couple of weeks,

Can't recommend a place to stay in Shanghai as my sister lives there, so I just crashed at her place, but in HK I stayed at the Harbour Plaza Metropolis in Kowloon.

It was a very nice hotel, and by AU standard, not very expensive at all, I strongly recommend eating at their buffet restaurant at least once, very very nice food.

In Shanghai, rather than going up the oriental pearl tower, (not expensive, but nothing special unless you want to see a big glass floor), go to the Jin Mao tower (Grand Hyatt Hotel), and make your way up to level 87. There you will find a bar called cloud 9. It is about the same height up as the "space module" of the oriental pearl tower, and whilst there is no entry fee per say, they do have a minimum spend of 120rmb + 15% tip. (about AU$23) which is a similar price to oriental pearl, expect you also get a coughtail out of it, and there are no lines to get out of the building. I'd suggest going there at night after the sun has set as there is an amazing view across the city.

Also provided you’re not epileptic (lots of flashing lights) make sure you see the "Bund Sightseeing Tunnel", as it is really very cool.

Also avoid buying Green Tea Smoothies from the Jade Buddha Temple, not good.

I'll shortly be posting up a trip report which I can send you the link to if you like.

 

[docjames]

Do a bit of a search because there's quite a few threads on HK hotels at varying price points and multiple options. You simplify your decision if you decide whether you want to stay on the Island or in Kowloon. Near to Star ferry is a bonus if staying on Kowloon side because you get best of both.

Kowloon side I liked the Intercontinental Grand Stamford (10 min walk to star ferry), plus the new Intercontinental (even closer) looks pretty swish too, although I havent stayed there. The IGS was great value for money.

 

[equus]

I'm looking at between $200 to $350 per night

With that budget, we have stayed at the Holiday Inn Golden Mile on Nathan Rd (and before everyone chips in about the lack of views, we actually got - a glimpse - of harbour view sideways out the window last time), but the trick with this is to go for the Executive Club floor. This gives top levels (quieter), lounge (breakfast, and 2 hours happy hour in the evening, with snacks that can end up as most of dinner). The Executive floor rooms are a little larger as well.

If you use the IHG Family and Friends rate (Steve Sickel), this can be had for HKD1,350 in Jan 2011 at the moment - so under the $200. Even at full rate it is onlt HKD2,000, which is still in your range.

I haven't stayed at the Sheraton, but my partner has, and prefers the HI (especially for the savings). For the Harbour View, just visit the bar at the top of the Sheraton for a drink or two (the savings from staying elsewhere will more than cover the cost).

HI is only a block further to walk to Star Ferry than Sheraton, and right on top of subway entrance to TST MTR, so very convenient for getting around.

 

[NM]

Both Hong Kong and Shanghai are very big places, with accommodation available in many locations. I suggest you look for accommodation that is going to be conveniently located for the things you want to do/see. For example, do you expect to be spending more time on Hong Kong Island or Kowloon? If you plan on using the MRT then you probably want somewhere close to a station. In Shanghai, keep in mind it will be cold in December so walking to/from transport may not be pleasant.

I have different requirement when on holiday than when travelling on business. I will be going to different places and doing different things while there.

 

[harvyk]

Hi Wile_e,

As per promised, my trip report to Hong Kong and Shanghai, this is a trip I did a couple of weeks ago.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....trip-photos/hong-kong-and-shanghai-24965.html

 

[wile_e]

Thanks for your suggestions guys. I've only ever stayed in Kowloon when staying in HK. We'll be spending most of our time shopping, eating, relaxing and catching up with (local) friends.

equus, thanks for your suggestions (although we'll be in HK in late-Dec and Shanghai in mid-Jan). I'll have a look at "my good ol' mate Steve Sickel's" offer... Have you used the F&F rates before?

harveyk, I'll have a read of your TR. Thanks for posting the link (I hope you had a good time though).

 

[Timtammi]

If wanting to visit one of the "water villages" from Shanghai you might want to consider Xitang. Xitang, China - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

i researched all the different ones and we chose to visit this one as it seemed to be more picturesque, slightly less touristy and the fact that MI III was partly filmed there appealed. We enjoyed it and while there were tourists there (it was a weekend I think) we were the only westerners there on that day so it all seemed pretty authentic!

Enjoy whatever you choose to do.

Cheers

Timmi

 

[yohy?!]

Just spent a night at the W Hong Kong (using Free Weekend Nights won previously).

Although the room was a standard one we had great views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island. The 76th floor pool and spa are also amazing, definetely worth a lookin

 

[Jobu]

For Hong Kong I can recommend the Mandarin Oriental and Four Seasons. The Peninsula has also been recommended to me but I haven't stayed there.

For Shanghai I can recommend the Park Hyatt.

Enjoy your trip!

JOBU

 

[11sjw]

Do a bit of a search because there's quite a few threads on HK hotels at varying price points and multiple options. You simplify your decision if you decide whether you want to stay on the Island or in Kowloon. Near to Star ferry is a bonus if staying on Kowloon side because you get best of both.

Kowloon side I liked the Intercontinental Grand Stamford (10 min walk to star ferry), plus the new Intercontinental (even closer) looks pretty swish too, although I havent stayed there. The IGS was great value for money.

Agree on the research bit.

We stayed at the IGS during a July visit and that walk to the ferry was a pig when it was mid 30s and v humid, especiall with 2.5 yr old in tow.

For location in Kowloon it's tough to go past the Salisbury YMCA. No they don't play Village People music http://www.ymcahk.org.hk/ a family suite was app $250/night. Just means you have a seperate room to sleep in which is pleasant.

 

[equus]

Have you used the F&F rates before?

Yes I have used it at the HI Golden Mile on Kowloon for 3 rooms for 5 days (all at once) on the Executive Club floor. No issues at all, but they did want the print out of the "invitation" that you get via the F&F instructions (no problems there, as I had it all printed and ready to go). No points, but the saving was very good.

 

[cosi]

In HK, I always stayed at the Holiday Inn Golden Mile on the executive floor. Because I was a regular visitor, I always was given a end room (the other end to Nathan). Very large room with a bit of a outlook.

For years, I watched the building of the new building that contains apartment and the new Hyatt.

The Hyatt Regency opened late last year and I have been a regular at this pub since then. Rates for a club floor are about 5-10% higher than the HIGM, but the rooms are brand new and every room has an outlook over HK.

Pool would be 6 times bigger than HIGM.

Club lounge is a little sterile when compared to HIGM, but hotel staff are one grade up in professional standards when compared to HIGM.

Highly recommend the Hyatt Regency.

 

[wile_e]

Cool, thanks for all your suggestions guys. For the moment, we have (cancellable) bookings at the two places mentioned.

We'll probably revisit our bookings with 30 days to go to see if there are any better deals out there.

Timtammi, thanks for the Xitang suggestion. It does look beautiful, however as we're only looking to do a daytrip, how were the transport options to/from there from Shanghai?

 

[Timtammi]

re Xitang. We organised a day trip with a driver and english speaking guide through our hotel. It is a bit of a hike (I'm thinking about 1.5 hours drive?) but well worth it and we really enjoyed the day. Can't remember the cost, I don't think it was ridiculously expensive though. You could probably save a bit by organising the same sort of thing online before you go. We stopped at a nice restaurant for lunch and he also took us shopping afterwards to a "designer" store when I admired his "man-bag". It was one that the locals shop at and you need to know where to go to find it apparently, it has more expensive but also better quality "designer" gear than some of the more readily accessible places.

Have a great time!

Cheers

Timmi

 

[sr81]

Really quick one.

Just came back from a stay at Conrad Hong Kong for four nights. Great hotel, excellent location on the Island and a superb pool. It was also pretty much on top of Admiralty Station so getting about was a breeze.

Got it through Priceline.com for USD120 a night. Got a high floor peak view room that was massive by HKG standards and for a very fair price.

Cannot recommended the 3 day unlimited MTR travel / return airport express trip Octopus card enough.

 

[Timtammi]

Got it through Priceline.com for USD120 a night.

Wow, that seems like a fantastic deal! Any tips for trying to book the same?

Cheers

Timmi

 

[sr81]

Priceline.com is a bidding site where by you 'bid' for a hotel room at the price you want to pay.

The catch is that you don't know what hotel in a particular region will accept the bid. Happily I know that the only 5* hotels on HK Island that is a participant in Priceline is the Conrad or the JW Marriott (see end of this post for list). There are rules limiting how you bid but you can find all that out when you sign up.

This forum is very useful: Priceline and Hotwire Forum. It has tips and lists of hotels in each area.

When you need to enter your credit card details it will not allow an Australian address - don't worry just put your normal address in and pick a random US state and a 5 digit zip code. I have never been knocked back because of this at check in.

Hong Kong (Central Kowloon)
5* Harbour Plaza REVIEW
5* Langham Place
4* City View Hong Kong Hotel
4* Eaton Hotel
4* Novotel Nathan Rd Kowloon

Hong Kong (East)
4* Harbour Plaza North Point

Hong Kong (Tsim Sha Tsui)
5* The Mira REVIEW
5* Royal Garden
5* Sheraton REVIEW
4* Holiday Inn Golden Mile REVIEW
4* Kowloon Hotel
4* Regal Kowloon Hotel REVIEW
4* Renaissance

Hong Kong (West Hong Kong Island)
5* Conrad Hong Kong REVIEW
5* JW Marriott REVIEW
4* Cosmopolitan Hotel REVIEW
4* Courtyard
4* Hotel Jen
4* Renaisance HarborView
3* Cosmo Hotel