Hong kong, what to do, where to stay

[harriaj]

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.

Not only take the double decker, but sit on the top deck in the front row. Much fun!

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)

Enjoy!

I agree - Mong Kok is just fantastic. For me, that, and a trip to a satellite town in the New Territories, will show you how locals really live. Where else can you find a place with a whole street devoted to sports shoes (Fa Yuen St, intersecting with another street I forget the name of) or to electronics (with the obligatory Watson's chemist every 5 shops or so)!

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?

My last trip to HK I stayed at the Novotel Nathan Road and the Novotel Century in Wan Chai. I found both very good (the Nathan Road version more convenient) and Accor often have sales on.


I hold a very special place in my heart for Hong Kong. Instead of a 21st birthday I decided to take my first overseas trip since I was a child. The destination was Hong Kong. I then spent a semester there on student exchange at university. I try and go back at least every two years.

Like any big city it has its faults, but I often find myself thinking of my memories there at random moments. Which is a sign that it is a great place.

 

[serfty]

Not only take the double decker, but sit on the top deck in the front row. Much fun!

...

Do this as well on the No. 15 Bus down from "The Peak" - take the Peak Tram up of course.

 

[Alanslegal]

You should go and eat / the cheapest Michelin starred restaurant in the entire world .... Tim Ho Wan (i don't have the address so google it). They serve Dim Sum.

I had it two weeks ago and to be honest I wasn't that impressed, that is I wouldn't wait hours and hours to get a table but that said I at least had to "try it out". One of their speciality is the some "char siu bao x bor lor bao fusion" which is a bbq pork bun, that is encased in a sweet pineapple flavoured crust/bread.

A group of 4 ate like as much as we could really, and the bill came out to be approx. $30AUD in total



Also you should visit Hui Lao San (which specialises in mango desserts) and as they are a huge chain, you will find them everywhere. Most desserts are around the 40HKD mark and a great way to cool down if you need to.

 

[QF029]

Re: 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

I had a longer layover than this earlier in the year. I paid for day access to the Bliss Spa at W HK above the Kowloon AE station. The cost was HK$350 and I had a swim, spa and shower. I then left my carry on in the spa locker and went out for a meal and to explore. Came back, another swim, spa & shower and then caught the AE back to the airport. You can check in for your outbound flight (and luggage) at the Kowloon station as you arrive there in the morning which means as long as you get on a train at least an hour before your departure you should be fine.

The one caveat on this is that the Bliss Spa doesn't open until ~8:30 which means you may have a an hour or so to kill (breakfast?). Their email is [email protected].

Failing that you may get a reasonable deal using Day Rooms in 3 to 5 star Hotels Worldwide which last time I checked had the Charterhouse Hotel at a reasonable rate.

 

[Sprucegoose]

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

Go langham place, more interesting surrounds IMHO. Check in Kowloon Station for your flights as well. Hong Kong works.

 

[Foreigner]

I've booked my parents next week at Novotel in Wanchai for two nights, then at the Sofitel in Macau for the third night, followed by Novotel at airport overnight for early morning departure for Singapore. Their pref. is Accor properties.

 

[harriaj]

You should go and eat / the cheapest Michelin starred restaurant in the entire world .... Tim Ho Wan (i don't have the address so google it). They serve Dim Sum.

I had it two weeks ago and to be honest I wasn't that impressed, that is I wouldn't wait hours and hours to get a table but that said I at least had to "try it out". One of their speciality is the some "char siu bao x bor lor bao fusion" which is a bbq pork bun, that is encased in a sweet pineapple flavoured crust/bread.

A group of 4 ate like as much as we could really, and the bill came out to be approx. $30AUD in total



Also you should visit Hui Lao San (which specialises in mango desserts) and as they are a huge chain, you will find them everywhere. Most desserts are around the 40HKD mark and a great way to cool down if you need to.

I can definitely recommend Hui Lau Shan. Their mon gwor with sai mai lo (basically mango pieces in mango and coconut juice with sago) is great.

 

[Chatterbocks]

For the hotel I am a fan of the Sheraton Towers Kowloon - the location on Nathan road is unbeatable.

For shopping, the Ferry Terminal is my favourite mall anywhere in the world - especially around Chinese new year when they have the sales on...

 

[Isochronous]

I can definitely recommend Hui Lau Shan. Their mon gwor with sai mai lo (basically mango pieces in mango and coconut juice with sago) is great.

Didn't know about this mango place, but I'll be definitely trying it on my next visit!

 

[Isochronous]

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.

I managed to buy 3 suits and 4 shirts for HK$8,000 (which is now under A$1,000) from a tailor in Kwai Fong. Quality was good and everything is hand-stitched, but you'll need a Cantonese translator to use him.

 

[Jasecoop]

Thanks everyone for the feedback, so many choices to digest. Looks like we may have made a decision, going for the intercontinental, prob a junior suite. They seem to have the best priced suites
cheers

 

[Jasecoop]

Try the harbour grand on the island side. Get a club room. Its a great hotel in a location thats convenient to the MTR subway. Club rooms are great and the club access provides breakfast, all day food & drinks plus coughtails after 5 plus outstanding service from dedicated club floor staff, free wi-fi plus computers in the club. Amazing views of Victoria Harbour. Its not in the heart of HKG but only a very short MTR trip. Get an octopus card. I stayed 5 nights before Christmas with Mrs Batesy and made a great choice based on price and Tripadvisor reviews. Breakfast was good and there is a great range of restaurants both in the hotel & nearby. Plenty to do in HKG, try a day at the races if you like the nags.

Changed my mind, just booked a superior harbourview suite at the Harbour Grand. Quite a good price. Added the limo transfers which will be nice. Cant wait

 

[Batesy]

Changed my mind, just booked a superior harbourview suite at the Harbour Grand. Quite a good price. Added the limo transfers which will be nice. Cant wait

Did you book a club room??
Its worth it it.

 

[Limewood]

While in HK go to the restaurant STEIK has brilliant food and excellent ambience, actually was talking to the Aussie Chef (Brian) as wife and i drank copious amounts at the bar, he suggested a Boston Lobster (steak joint with lobster i thought), they fly em in each day.
He then went to the kitchen and brought out the beast live to the bar on a large white plate to introduce us, had to tell him (the lobster that is) " sorry mate this is not your......g night!.
Was without doubt the best lobster I've ever eaten, and I've had a few (Peter Doyle famous for seafood in Sydney was good friend of ours and i ate there many times), yep hands down a very worthy visit to the Steik World Meats eatery.

Shop 14. Building K11. Level 3. 18 Hanoi Road Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon). Tel: 25300011

 

[an*g-bne]

I can definitely recommend Hui Lau Shan. Their mon gwor with sai mai lo (basically mango pieces in mango and coconut juice with sago) is great.

+3

Whenever the family is in Hong Kong, Hui Lau Shan (許留山 Hui Lau Shan Healthy Dessert - all in Chinese, but I use Google Translate to get around it) gets at least 2 visits a day. To be honest, we choose our hotels based on proximity to the closest outlet (usually end up at the HI TST - Holiday Inn Tsim Sha Tsui). We prefer the TST area mainly because of the bustle and the "local" locals, though the shopping is a bit too touristy.

And as far as getting harassed by street vendors every few metres on Nathan Road goes, some observations. I never get harassed walking down the street myself, as I blend in easily with the locals, even though I'm not from Hong Kong. Mrs AN*G almost always gets harassed, as she definitely does not blend in with the locals. When walking together, it's sometimes hit and miss - you can almost see the wheels turning over in their heads trying to work out if we're locals or tourists. However, if Mrs AN*G dresses in a business suit, and carries a folded, but highly visible local Chinese language newspaper under her arm, she almost never gets harassed. Unfortunately, dressing in a business suit when not necessary is not something she appreciates doing, so she just tends to ignore them.

 

[Limewood]

Most of the street hawkers flogging suits and fake watches are right down the bottom of Nathan Rd these days, don't engage them (look or talk) just keep walking they get the picture pretty quick.

Funny thing I saw was real old guy sitting at his table in street about 4 doors up from Rolex main shop, you guessed it... selling fake Rolex watches!.

 

[zig]

Most of the street hawkers flogging suits and fake watches are right down the bottom of Nathan Rd these days, don't engage them (look or talk) just keep walking they get the picture pretty quick.

Agree with this. They are very easy to discourage and are really not that much of an annoyance. I certainly wouldn't feel the need to avoid the area because of them.

 

[Sifor]

Any feedback on the Harbour Grand Hong Kong?

Current offer as per Qantas.com for travel in late Jan 2012 is either Premier Harbour Room or Club Deluxe Harbour room for $756.

 

[Batesy]

Any feedback on the Harbour Grand Hong Kong?

Current offer as per Qantas.com for travel in late Jan 2012 is either Premier Harbour Room or Club Deluxe Harbour room for $756.

Read through the thread. I have already made commentary on it. I had 5 nights there before Christmas in a club room. Well worth the price I paid.

 

[Sifor]

Read through the thread. I have already made commentary on it. I had 5 nights there before Christmas in a club room. Well worth the price I paid.

Yes sorry about that I just found the post you're referring to.

Can I ask, do you recall what type of club room you stayed in?