Hong kong, what to do, where to stay

[Princess Fiona]

A little OT:
Visiting HKG in October for 2 night stop over on way back from Europe.
Shrek and 4 kids in tow.
Has anyone stayed 5 Star with kids and if so what would you recommend ?
Currently holding rooms at Langham Place and Conrad as both seemed to be the only options with any kind of family policy.
Willing to look at other options dependent on location/ executive lounge/ kid friendly options.
Any help would be much appreciated

 

[11sjw]

Reading this thread, there seems to be some impeccable taste in hotels, but way above my holiday price level.

Has no-one any mid priced suggestions?

Sounds dodgy I know but the Salisbury YMCA in Kowloon is great value. Family suite for HK$1850/nt + 10% tax for this Nov. A 5min walk to the Star Ferry and a 2 min walk to the MTR at TST so it's very easy to get around.

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Sounds dodgy I know but the Salisbury YMCA in Kowloon is great value. Family suite for HK$1850/nt + 10% tax for this Nov. A 5min walk to the Star Ferry and a 2 min walk to the MTR at TST so it's very easy to get around.

Yes, I know people who have stayed here. A great family deal.

Edit Monday: this thread has suddenly cost me a lot of money as mrs_gimlet saw me looking at nice hotels. So suddenly the BP International isn't good enough and we are now Langhamming. There are some good offers tucked away on ther website for three and four night stays.

 

[MANfroMELB]

Day-room in HKG

Hi there

Any ideas on a day room (I arrive on QF29 at 05:50 and leave HKG Airport at 16:15 the same day).
I would prefer something "not at the airport" in case I want to wander around a nice neighborhood if I am not too jetlagged....

Also, how much time would I need to get back to the airport to check-in at say 14:15 - not sure if my luggage will be booked through - as while I have booked 1 ticket, I had to select individual flights to avoid the QF booking system placing me on a CX flight MEL-HKG)

Thanks



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.

 

[rocketaus]

I.m in HK about 4-5 times a year and love the city. So much to do and never enough time.

Langham is great, but so it should be for a 5 star hotel. I sometimes stay at the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel, but it has become expensive this year.

Other great advice here, well done NM. Love the ferry (I try to use it on every trip) stanley markets, drink at the Felix bar at the top of the Peninsula and the amazing nearby Tim Ho Wan Michelin star restaurant - it wont let me link to my review on tri advisor, but google it ;-)

Just get out there and walk around. I often discover new places to eat and shop on every trip.

With the Aussie dollar you will find many bargains. I always buy Nike's there at a fraction of the cost locally.

enjoy!

 

[liamg]

Thanks for the great advice everyone -- am going to Hong Kong on Saturday (last five days of a six week trip in Europe) on the way home and all of this is most useful (for this time and the next!)...

One other topic not yet breached: Was hoping to pick up a couple of tailored suits while in HK. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best place to go?

I've heard Shenzhen is cheaper, and I'm happy to shlep, but not if the quality is going to be far worse. Much more interested in getting a well-made and good fitting suit made from good material than saving an extra $50... If someone has personal experience with a trusted (or at least known/used!) tailor in HK or Shenzhen that'd be perfect

L.

 

[BVT]

Sounds dodgy I know but the Salisbury YMCA in Kowloon is great value. Family suite for HK$1850/nt + 10% tax for this Nov. A 5min walk to the Star Ferry and a 2 min walk to the MTR at TST so it's very easy to get around.

When I worked for a faith based organisation I used to go to HK twice a year and always stayed here. Great value for money hotel. Clean and conveniently located; It's Hong Kong, why stay in your room other than to sleep, bathe and drop off "parcels" from all that shopping.

Now, the standard of accom has gone up a few stars, however my manager is an SPG tragic, so it is the Sheraton Hong Kong now. Not too shabby!

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

One other topic not yet breached: Was hoping to pick up a couple of tailored suits while in HK. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best place to go?

You've gor a couple of versions of the same problem, and that is that if you want a good quality suit, you need to plan to go back at least once and probably twice. Five days is tight for a good suit, closer to seven would be the norm. So unless you plan to go back and forward from Chenzhen, or want a guesstimate on a single visit, then you're looking at HK and it will need to be #1 activity on your schedule to get the turnaround.

I don't get much done in Hong Kong. My local office seems split - if they can afford it, they go to a guy in Pacific Place, if not, then Causeway Bay seems to have some good business tailors. But I don't really know how much they are talking about.

 

[siri]

I am surprised that Island Grand Hyatt is not mention here... Its got 180 degrees water views and fabulous Chinese restaurant and nice Spa facilities... I will recommend for couples and Children since you can get adjoining rooms for kids... Try to book club rooms since morning breakfast and evening drinks in the lounge is nice with water views.
Spa is quite new and got tennis courts as well. I also stayed in Beijing Grand Hyatt for 3 yrs and to me Hyatt is the best hotel chain globally with best guest program with points are there for life.

Can walk to Wanchai station via the buildings and also if you like Kowloon, my favourite is Intercontinental Hotel with nice views.. ( I stayed there 3 yrs when I work in HK) Love the Italian restaurant there.. HK is famous for tailors and secret is find a tailor that got access to Zegna or Cerruti cloths since if you make a suit you will be saving 80% of the original suits cost from these vendors.. These are precise figures since I have so many cashmere and light suits from them... If any one wants I can recommend a tailor near Kowloon post office to get these done.(Union Tailor-- Owner Eric).

Pls. do not go shopping in Nathan Rd, Kowloon since they will cheat you... Go to Times square and you have 20 floors of designer cloths and on 20th floor for electronic stuff which you can trust... In HK there are so many grey imports and be careful and try to get international or local guarantee cards that come from the manufactures... Food in HK is amazing and try to enjoy the varieties and wonderful shopping also in Kowloon Ocean terminal shopping centre.
If you are staying near in the airport hotels make sure to go to factory shopping out let near the hotels.
If you are crossing to the Shenzhen make sure to get a Chinese visa or if you have a Apec card no visa needed.

 

[docjames]

A little OT:
Visiting HKG in October for 2 night stop over on way back from Europe.
Shrek and 4 kids in tow.
Has anyone stayed 5 Star with kids and if so what would you recommend ?
Currently holding rooms at Langham Place and Conrad as both seemed to be the only options with any kind of family policy.
Willing to look at other options dependent on location/ executive lounge/ kid friendly options.
Any help would be much appreciated

Not certain of their "family policy" but the IC Grand Stanford was great when we last stayed there. The new IC also looked great and is even better located. Both have decent lounges. The ICGS staff were very obliging so I cant imagine it'd be a problem. Free shuttle bus from Hotel to Kowloon Train station (airport express stop).

Both in Kowloon near waterfront/Star Ferry Terminal and MTR so easy access to the Island.

Edit: ICGS is probably 4+* not a true 5* though.

 

[JetLagged]

Reading this thread, there seems to be some impeccable taste in hotels, but way above my holiday price level.

Has no-one any mid priced suggestions?

All depends on money levels - the Park Hotel in TST is basic but fine - their seafood buffet was very good while there - but if you request a non-smoking roolm, make sure you get it!

We usually stay in HK at the Grand Stamford - take a Club Room for the extra - not as good as the ShangriLa, but next door and great service. Can recommend it.

As for the other comments here about Nathan Road - have a foolproof way of ensuring that the hawkers leave you totally alone - get your tailor to escort you to your next place and they'll leave you alone - as if you were invisible.

Peter Lee or Lee Baron walked us along 2 blocks of Nathan Road - and no-one stopped us at all!

OR, if you don't have a friendly tailor - carry a big umbrella and look as if you are willing to jab the first hawker who still tries to sell you anything. Has worked in the past!

 

[Sifor]

Does anyone have any comments on the Ritz Carlton Hong Kong? I'll be in HK Jan next year and it looks pretty nice, 100 floors up!

 

[JetLagged]

One other topic not yet breached: Was hoping to pick up a couple of tailored suits while in HK. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best place to go? I've heard Shenzhen is cheaper, and I'm happy to shlep, but not if the quality is going to be far worse. Much more interested in getting a well-made and good fitting suit made from good material than saving an extra $50... If someone has personal experience with a trusted (or at least known/used!) tailor in HK or Shenzhen that'd be perfect L.

liam - since 2006 I have been using Peter Lee of Lee Baron - as have others in this forum - there was a discussion about KG tailors either last year or earlier this, I don't remember. Peter is fantsatsic - has great materials (and quality) - and his stuff just seems to last and last - I'm still wearing shirts I bought there on my first visit!

If you want more details, just private me!

cHEERS!

 

[toottifruitti]

liam - since 2006 I have been using Peter Lee of Lee Baron - as have others in this forum - there was a discussion about KG tailors either last year or earlier this, I don't remember. Peter is fantsatsic - has great materials (and quality) - and his stuff just seems to last and last - I'm still wearing shirts I bought there on my first visit!If you want more details, just private me!cHEERS!

Need jeans for Mr Tootti he is a Big Big man takes size 7XL shirts. Thinking about getting some made. What do you think. When we have been in HKG before it has been impossible to get any clothes for him.

 

[11sjw]

I've heard Shenzhen is cheaper, and I'm happy to shlep, but not if the quality is going to be far worse. Much more interested in getting a well-made and good fitting suit made from good material than saving an extra $50... If someone has personal experience with a trusted (or at least known/used!) tailor in HK or Shenzhen that'd be perfect

L.

Do a search in here for "HK Tailors." I started a thread many moons ago on the topic. It didn't get many replies but it reached a consensus on Lee Baron (Kowloon) very quickly

 

[yeldarb8]

All good suggestions but for me...

...I really like to meet people when I travel (solo) in Asia so in HK I stay at Yesinn Hostel in Fortress Hill for less than $20/night. That's right, a week in HK for less than $150... and it's on the Island.

 

[yohy?!]

Re: All good suggestions but for me...

...I really like to meet people when I travel (solo) in Asia so in HK I stay at Yesinn Hostel in Fortress Hill for less than $20/night. That's right, a week in HK for less than $150... and it's on the Island.

Brave! I did 3 nights in the Dragon Hostel in Mongkok - boy did that revise down my hostel expectations (and I've stayed in many through europe)!

Cheap with cheerful service but the room was a broom closet (literally) without windows

 

[yeldarb8]

Re: All good suggestions but for me...

Brave! I did 3 nights in the Dragon Hostel in Mongkok - boy did that revise down my hostel expectations (and I've stayed in many through europe)!

Cheap with cheerful service but the room was a broom closet (literally) without windows

Not so brave really... I'm only ever there for about 8 hours of the day, mainly to sleep and shower, but the short amount of common community interaction typically leads to many days of fun activities with other travelers. Just 12 days ago I met a wonderful young woman there and we spent three amazing days together. Hotels are just not worth the money to me anymore I'm afraid. In Japan in particular the hostels are just FANTASTIC and for about $30/night an absolute steal. Uber clean and well run, very secure, free WiFi (hardly any hotels in Asia, at a half decent price, have this amenity), kitchens, common rooms, laundry services, the whole nine yards.

 

[New Chump]

A little OT:
Visiting HKG in October for 2 night stop over on way back from Europe.
Shrek and 4 kids in tow.
Has anyone stayed 5 Star with kids and if so what would you recommend ?
Currently holding rooms at Langham Place and Conrad as both seemed to be the only options with any kind of family policy.
Willing to look at other options dependent on location/ executive lounge/ kid friendly options.
Any help would be much appreciated

Princess F, we had 5 days in HK at the end of May with Mrs NC (who took the NC family there for a large doctor's conference she was attending), Miss NC (2.5yo) and Baby NC (about 4 weeks then :shock:, so maybe a bit younger than your 4, I expect). Anyhoo, we stayed at the Four Seasons. Awesome. Great with the kids. Miss NC spent over half her time in the infinity pool overlooking the harbour. Just spectacular. We had a suite with access to the executive lounge which for us, and for any family, would be worthwhile. Hotel staff could not have been more friendly or helpful with the NC kids. Pricey, but Mrs NC had to spend her Continuing Medical Education allowance money somewhere . I can't recommend the Four Seasons highly enough.

ps OTT (but topical given some other recent threads), on the flight home (QF30) all except 2 passengers in F (where the NCs were happily ensconced), most of J and quite of few in Y were doctor conference attendees returning to Aus. I was almost hoping for a medical emergency on the flight just to see about 50+ volunteers step up when he the announcement was made as to whether there is a medical doctor on board...

NC

 

[liamg]

Do a search in here for "HK Tailors." I started a thread many moons ago on the topic. It didn't get many replies but it reached a consensus on Lee Baron (Kowloon) very quickly

Found it, thanks! Looks like Lee Baron is the go, but it looks a little more expensive than I was thinking it would be... Is $700 for one suit and three shirts about right?

I was expecting to get two suits for about $500, was I just off the mark?

L.