Hong Kong for Solo Traveller

[eddie 73]

Another Mongkok regular myself. After 18 years of 6-8 visitseach year, Mongkok is more HK style, mixing it up with locals, whilst a few mtr stops from the island. I have over 300 nights racked up at the Royal Plaza and will continue to be their loyal guest into the future.

Royal Plaza offer huuuge rooms, separate shower + spa bath, tv in bathroom wall, king beds, crispy linen, and club floor includes food, drinks, all day, and free alcohol in evenings. It is also, like cordis, connected to a massive modern mall (lots of solo dinig options canto & other asian), plus connected to east station, plus 2 min walk to night markets & lots of amazing street food, massage shops, supermarkets etc.

Club floor in peak season about $300-350 /night. Off peak around 250.

Check it out. Email [email protected] and ask for Marco Cheung... tell him Eddie sent ya.

If you have your heart set on the island, causeway bay is my recommendation, close to all the action but a little more of a local feel. Be careful of Wanchai, which can get crazy at dusk if too close to the bar streets around lockhardt rd.

Macau is a good day trip, but if your time is limited I would focus on all that hk has to offer. From boat trips to the old fishing villages, to lantau island, to the peak, tst, lkf, shopping, eating, so much goodness compared to egg tarts in Macau.

Good luck with your trip, Lynda, you can go solo as a single female at any time of day/night and feel completely safe.

 

[Lynda2475]

I got the hilton honours sale email but the week im there rooms start at $650/night - too rich for me. Cordis also too exy as im not prepared to book a room with bath/shower combo only, that is a deal breaker.

 

[Lynda2475]

Club floor in peak season about $300-350 /night. Off peak around 250.

Royal Club Deluxe runs at HKD14,696.00 for my dates that is $529/night, no view. Unfortunately Christmas New Years is more exy than usual peak rates.

Back on Island:

1. At Causeway Bay: Hotel Harbour Grand have flexible (cancel up to day before) club rooms (club drinks plus choice of club or regular buffet breakfast) with Harbour view room on my dates for $389/night, from what I can see they have either just a shower, or a wet room, where there is a bath, but the shower is not over the bath - seems like might be ok.

2. At Western District - Hotel Jen Hong Kong by Shangri-La - also has harbour view club rooms for $400/night, their resturant is michellin recommended.

Has any one stayed at either of these?




.

 

[CMA222]

Harbour Grand (where the QF crew stay) is excellent although I have only stayed in the Club rooms. Only a two minute walk to the Fortress Hill MRT. If you take the Airport Express in to the city (Hong Kong Station) it includes a bus that takes you to the front door of the hotel. Return from the hotel to Hong Kong Station is also included when you depart. If you want something cheaper (around 4 star) with "city views" Regal iClub in Fortress Hill or Regal iClub Wan Chai are generally good value. Regal iClub Fortress Hill can be seen from the Harbour Grand on the non-harbour side. They are only two streets apart.

 

[Aeolus]

Stayed at both. Harbour Grand hands down a better quality hotel. The club lounge has superb views of the Hong Kong and Kowloon harbour (great place to experience a different perspective of the light show on both sides) but I don’t know if the view is now blocked somewhat by the new building.

 

[Lynda2475]

Funnily enough for the dates im looking at, a Harbour Grand Club room is cheaper than most of the iClub rooms.

So i think its a choice of Club Room at Harbour Grand Hong Kong at $1,945 (if the room doesn't have a perfect view, the Club will) or Novotel Century Club Room (risk on bath vs shower) at $1,835 - assuming the club and view is better at Harbour Grand than Novotel and likely quieter too?

 

[Isochronous]

Harbour Grand at Fortress Hill is definitely a great option, I highly recommend it.

 

[Aeolus]

Funnily enough for the date sim looking at a Harbour Grand Club room is cheaper than most of the iClub rooms.

So i think its a choice of Club Room at Harbour Grand Hong Kong at $1,945 (if the room doesn't have a view, the Club will) or Novotel Century Club Room (risk on bath vs shower) at $1,835 - assuming the club and view is better at Harbour Grand than Novotel and likely quieter too?

I’ve stayed at Novotel Century as well and can confidently say that Harbour Grand is better. If you book club room, make sure you put in your preference that you want high floor with nice harbour views. They usually try to fulfil the request when they can. You won’t be disappointed with the club rooms. Make sure you allocate time for your afternoon tea and evening canapés and stay on for the light show!

Also, it’s easier to get to the MTR from Harbour Grand than Novotel Century. Noise wise, well you are in Hong Kong, there’ll be noise no matter where you are.

 

[Lynda2475]

Ok, Im all booked in to a Club Room at the Harbour Grand Hong Kong - due to their extra special offer at the moment, its fully refundable up to 48 hours before (at same rate as the non-refundable offer) in case I win the lotto or something before then and can upgrade. Thanks for all the advice re hotels.

Keep the suggestions coming for must eat at places!

 

[eddie 73]

Well done on the decision Lynda.

Sorry for the bum steer on RP rates... my corporate sales guy Marco must be giving me special rates due to long term guest. I also get daily fruit bowl and check in bottle of wine.

 

[ajca]

Ok, Im all booked in to a Club Room at the Harbour Grand Hong Kong - due to their extra special offer at the moment, its fully refundable up to 48 hours before (at same rate as the non-refundable offer) in case I win the lotto or something before then and can upgrade. Thanks for all the advice re hotels.

Keep the suggestions coming for must eat at places!

I had dumplings for breakfast today at Heart to Heart in Wan Chai and it was incredibly good - highly recommended. Also Chachawan for Thai food in Sheung Wan.

I wrote the below before I saw that you'd already booked but thought I'd include in case it's useful for anyone else in the future:

I would highly recommend One96 or 99 Bonham which are very luxurious aparthotels, well within your budget, and in a great location (Sheung Wan). It will likely be close to your gweilo friend and there are food choices of every kind within walking distance.

There are a lot of business oriented hotels centred around Wan Chai and Central (I am writing this from one now!) ie Renaissance, Grand Hyatt, Conrad, etc that would not be a great choice for your trip as described imho.

Hong Kong really is incredibly safe, ironically though if you're really worried about safety though you might want to skip the suggestions above to stay Mongkok. Also Mongkok is really not convenient for your first sightseeing trip to HK.

Have a great trip!

 

[Stewey]

I'm in Wanchai over Easter for 3 nights to catch up with my brother, I've been to HK a few times and prefer the island to TST/Mongkok or Kowloon

I'm staying at the Novotel Century (Accor plus free stay for one night) and I've stayed in Kew Green, OZO Wesley, Burlington, Dorsett Wanchai and others over the years
I really enjoy Lockhart road and the old school bars with their insane happy hours and 2 for 1 drink specials and music blaring and the crowds
kind of reminds me of that old movie " The World of Suzie Wong"

Johnson Road shops and the Wanchai wet Market are worth a visit and Ship Street for up market bars and restaurants plus the Pawn on Johnson Road is a great venue to people watch from the balcony on a lazy afternoon/evening

Try Passion by Gerard Dubois for nice coffee in the morning, various outlets in HK and Macau

 

[Aeolus]

Anyone knows where to go for the best mango pudding at the island side?

 

[ermen]

Google seems to indicate staying in Central, or should I be looking at Tsim Sha Tsui or Causeway Bay? Or split my stay between 2 locations?

I usually do a walking or food (or coughtail) tour to get my bearings. Are there any unique (or left field) experiences anyone can recommend? Is a day trip to Macau worth it for someone who has zero interest in gambling?

I very much want to try a lot of foods curious to see how yum cha and other cantonese cuisine compares with what we are used to here. Hoping for to experience a mix of fine dining and cheap eats - but have heard a lot of places are skewed towards group dining - so where can I go and get a solo table (or bar seating) without missing the best food?

Thanks,

Lynda

Also Chachawan for Thai food in Sheung Wan.

Would not recommend splitting your time within 2 hotels - not worth the effort - given that TST/CWB is not that far from each other on the MTR. Just pick somewhere and travel around from there. Too bad I have not stayed in many hotels so I can't really recommend any!

But am hearing that the Murray and the Pottinger are increasingly popular (but prices could be above your budget).

Now as someone who has lived here for a while, here are my observations:

1. Thai Food - haven't found a good place - normally find the restaurants are diluted to cater to local taste buds which is annoying. I have had much better Thai in Sydney (Chat Thai), so would give Thai Food generally a miss here. But Chachawan serves food from the Isan region of Thailand - that is not that common so worth a try maybe (has a different taste from what is traditional thai in my view)

2. Do not use an octopus card for the airport express. Download the KLOOK app and buy the tickets there for much cheaper. Use the octopus card for everything else though

3. Food - I am surprised that you say that most places are catered to group dining. In fact, it is easy to find places for 1 person (the only caveat being in the more local places, you may end up having to share a table during busy hours). For Cantonese roast - it is definitely possible to order for 1 person. So...

Fine Dining
After eating at a few fine dining places early on, I have resolved not to eat fine dining anymore in Hong Kong. I have found the value / quality not to be that good - i.e. you get much better quality for a better price in Australia (e.g. Vue De Monde, Quay, Sepia when it was still around?) versus what was available in HKG. The only one I can recommend (because the owner mixes Chinese / Western influences) is Bo Innovation on Ship Street. The owner combines Chinese / Western fusion fine dining and offers something not found elsewhere. I have heard good things about Leung Keen Heen at the Four Seasons (but alas never been yet so that would be on my bucket list)

If you want French / Japanese / Italian fine dining - I must say you get better options for a better price in those respective countries. Not something I will eat in HKG

Cheap Eats

1. Jordan: Mak Man Kee wanton noodles then hop over to the Australian Dairy Company next door for milk pudding and / or an egg sandwich - that in my mind is the classic tourist 101 combo and not a tourist trap

Mak Man Kee Noodle Shop (Jordan)
Australia Dairy Company (Jordan)

2. Dumplings: my favourite place is this place in Prince Edward. Not sure if the owner had gotten around to providing English menus yet (last time he was looking to do so) (美味餃子店 (Prince Edward) )

3. Cantonese Roast Goose: forget Yeung Kee / Yat Lok in Central (though people swear by them). If you want the real thing go to to the village of Sham Tseng. I personally like Yue Kee ( Kitchen secrets from restaurant that’s served roast goose for 60 years ). Other swear by Sham Tseng Chan Kee (they have a branch in Mongkok I believe but quality in MK branch seems to have gone down) but Yue Kee is my favourite

4. Cantonese Roast (Tai Hing on Jubilee Street Central): I know this choice may sound contentious as this is considered a chain restaurant. But i still find their chicken (soya and white) and char siew to be one of the best in Hong Kong. They have suckling pig too if you go early enough IIRC

5. Shaanxi noodles (Yau Yuen Siu Tsui at LKF): don't think this cuisine is too common in Australia. This place started as a hole in the wall in Jordan and now has a branch near Lan Kwai Fong (Yau Yuen Siu Tsui (Central) ). Speciality is their "biang biang noodles"

6. Kwan Kee: Specialises in claypot rice (a winter dish). they also have a hotpot type soup which seems popular with locals Kwan Kee

7. Congee: I'm not a congee person but people seem to like this place Sang Kee at Sheung Wan (Sang Kee Congee Shop (Sheung Wan) )

8. Dim Sum: the tourist standard is Tim Ho Wan, but standards have slipped over the years as they have gotten bigger. Dim Dim Sum is a much better place in my view (DimDimSum ) with many branches around Hong Kong. For something a little more upmarket, West Villa is also recommended (West Villa Restaurant - Causeway Bay, Hong Kong | Lee Gardens )

9. Beef brisket: how can you not eat beef brisket in HKG? The typical place is Kau Kee on Gough Street. Do not doubt the quality there - but always long queues and a little expensive. Another alternative is Sun Sin on Portland Street / Yau Ma Tei MTR (Sun Sin Beef Brisket, Hong Kong - Jordan / Yau Ma Tei - Restaurant Reviews, Phone Number & Photos - TripAdvisor )

Not so local random good Japanese food
9. Japanese BBQ Beef: Would recommend 298 Nikuya at Tsim Sha Tsui (298 Nikuya Japanese "Yakiniku" style BBQ )

10. Japanese Ton-katsu: Tonkichi at IFC Mall (they should have a few others around town) (Tonkichi | International Finance Centre, Hong Kong). Special mention for the breaded prawns and scallop


Drink (not much to contribute here as I don't normally explore many places - others may have better recommendations)

1. Quintessential bring your first time tourist friend to impress them place - Sevva (Prince's Building Central) or Ce La Vi (California Tower LKF)

2. I go to the Envoy at the Pottinger Hotel - depending on my mood, either the outdoor terrace or go to the "secret" room 309 bar (Bar review: Room 309 ). They apparently have a good mixologist there (but i don't normally drink coughtails)

3. Captain's Bar at the Mandarin Oriental - don't really know if i should mention this. But it was a local institution and a bastion of the old colonial white male club (many FILTHK?)

Just my 2c...

 

[ermen]

Anyone knows where to go for the best mango pudding at the island side?

Cong Sau Star Desert in Causeway Bay or Wanchai

Cong Sao Star Dessert (Causeway Bay)

 

[ajca]

1. Thai Food - haven't found a good place - normally find the restaurants are diluted to cater to local taste buds which is annoying. I have had much better Thai in Sydney (Chat Thai), so would give Thai Food generally a miss here. But Chachawan serves food from the Isan region of Thailand - that is not that common so worth a try maybe (has a different taste from what is traditional thai in my view)

It's traditional Thai food in Isaan province! And also very popular in Bangkok. I guess it's a matter of taste but I find Isaan style Thai food much fresher, tastier and healthier than the standard Thai fare we get in Australia (also, if this is imaginable, spicier!) Chachawan is some of my favourite Thai food I've had, anywhere, and that includes spending months eating my way around Thailand. I am pretty sure the chef at Chachawan used to run Kaa in Singapore which was absolutely outstanding before it sadly closed down.

 

[ermen]

It's traditional Thai food in Isaan province! And also very popular in Bangkok. I guess it's a matter of taste but I find Isaan style Thai food much fresher, tastier and healthier than the standard Thai fare we get in Australia (also, if this is imaginable, spicier!) Chachawan is some of my favourite Thai food I've had, anywhere, and that includes spending months eating my way around Thailand. I am pretty sure the chef at Chachawan used to run Kaa in Singapore which was absolutely outstanding before it sadly closed down.

yes you are right in that it is traditional.
meant to say it is not the typical thai that one usually has

 

[Lynda2475]

Thanks for the suggestions, i definitely looking forward to the yum cha, beef brisket and noodles. Not a fan of congee and wrt fine dining was def considering asian or asian fusion wouldnt have occurred to me to seek out anything european.

 

[ozonslo]

I cannot add anymore to the sights and food selections many have already said. I was in HK last September and stayed the HK Island at the Metropark Hotel. Found it a good hotel (fairly new) and with 5minutes walking distance from the MRT station Tin Hau. As already said their train, bus, ferry and tram is all accessed by using the Oyster Card. I didn't get it at the airport but when needing house the MTR purchased it from the Tin Hau station. Also if you stay on the Island a good way to acquaint yourself with the Island is to take the Tram that goes from one end of the Island to the other. Also around Tin Hau MTR there are heaps of restaurants, particularly one called Sister Was has a very good reputation. Easy to research it on the Web. HK is amazing.Macau is also worth a visit. When you get there....enjoy.

 

[ozonslo]

I cannot add anymore to the sights and food selections many have already said. I was in HK last September and stayed the HK Island at the Metropark Hotel. Found it a good hotel (fairly new) and with 5minutes walking distance from the MRT station Tin Hau. As already said their train, bus, ferry and tram is all accessed by using the Oyster Card. I didn't get it at the airport but when needing house the MTR purchased it from the Tin Hau station. Also if you stay on the Island a good way to acquaint yourself with the Island is to take the Tram that goes from one end of the Island to the other. Also around Tin Hau MTR there are heaps of restaurants, particularly one called Sister Was has a very good reputation. Easy to research it on the Web. HK is amazing.Macau is also worth a visit. When you get there....enjoy.

I meant Sister Wah...