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If you prefer your art to be edible, the Mandarin Grill + Bar at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel is offering a special art inspired lunch and dinner menu until 20th May. Michelin-starred chef, Uwe Opocensky, has spent six months creating a multimedia menu with each course inspired by a different aspect of art. I have it on excellent authority that the food is outstanding and almost too exquisite to eat (but ultimately too delicious to resist). Book early to avoid missing out!
www.mandarinoriental.com
5 Connaught Road, Hong Kong
+852 2522 0111
Google map: bit.ly/JinZU4
* Natalie is our local for Hong Kong. You can read all about her here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/hong-kong-local-natalie-robinson.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/natalierobinson
She also has her own blog at: www.3badmice.com/
It's got a spectacular view of Kowloon - both by day and also at night - when the neon signs light up the Tsim Sha Tsui shopping district. Part of the top floor health club for guests, this is a great place to relax, unwind and keep fit when enjoying a visit to Hong Kong, and it gives a fresh perspective on the place.
8 Peking Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
hongkong.langhamhotels.com
Tel: (852) 2375 1133
Google map: tinyurl.com/32kacuf
This hotel is in Shatin. An ideal place to relax and collect your thoughts. It is a long bus journey from the airport but one that is both direct and I believe cheapest to reach, unless you can afford the Regal airport hotel. If you book online and in advance, the early bird promotion is a good deal. You can take a healthy stroll by the river or visit the wide array of shopping centres networked together just over the bridge.
Regal Riverside Hotel
Tai Chung Kiu Road
Shatin
Hong Kong (A41 bus from Airport)
Regalhotel.com
Forget the stuffy Mandarin Oriental and instead request its hip little sister – The Landmark Mandarin Oriental. It’s within walking distance of Central’s important commercial buildings and the hotel concierge will meet you at the airport. It also boasts the largest hotel rooms in Hong Kong and has all the facilities you’d expect; plus it has a superb spa if you get the time to use it!
If you want a break from the chain hotels, why not try a boutique hotel whilst in Hong Kong. Having stayed here previously, I found it a fantastic oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet, as it's located in Causeway Bay, you are in the heart of the action when you step out.
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
www.lansonplace.com
Those who are familiar with Hong Kong will know that the city is split across two key areas. Kowloon is attached to the mainland and whilst it benefits from all the colour and charm that Hong Kong has to offer, it isn't as convenient for business as Hong Kong Island. When you are in Hong Kong for business, it's best to stay on Hong Kong Island and you will be close to the business district. Taxis are easy to come by but you may find yourself commuting more quickly by MTR, tram or even walking.
Hong Kong Island
If you are travelling to Asia - check out Asiarooms.com. They typically have a larger inventory of hotel rooms than a lot of the European/US-based hotel consolidators. Prices tend to be reasonable and availability is sometimes better than other providers (such as Expedia, etc).
Stay at the YMCA in Salisbury Rd, Kowloon. The harbour view rooms are very comfortable with fabulous views of Victoria Harbour and the stunning Hong Kong skyline. The YMCA building is exactly next to The Peninsula Hotel, the oldest and possibly the most stylish hotel in Hong Kong. The great advantage is that the cost of your room at the YMCA will be a fraction of that at The Peninsula Hotel. The money you save on accomodation can go towards impressing your clients in the exclusive Stark restaurant at The Peninsula Hotel next door. You might even meet in the Felix bar with its superb view or simply take a traditional afternoon tea in the lobby. All the time that you are wining and dining, your clients will surely believe you are staying at one of the most exclusive hotels in Hong Kong.
Find the YMCA at 41 Salisbury Rd, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The nearest tube station is Tsim Cha Tsui.
If you have a spare day or two in Hong Kong, then you may want to pop over to Macao to experience the 'Las Vegas of Asia'. Whilst it may not be to some people's tastes, thoses who do enjoy the gambling (and smoking) will love the adventure it brings.
Jump on one of the regular ferry shuttle services from Hong Kong Island or even the airport and dart off to Macao in a quick shuttle ride. Those of you who have visited before will note that new hotels are popping up everywhere. This influx of capital means that top brand name hotels are moving in to get a slice of the pie. Before you travel, look for local adverts, websites and mailing lists and find out if any new hotels are opening. You may be able to get a room as part of a 'soft launch'. This allows you to test the hotel's facilities before the official launch date. Whilst not all things will be open and working (eg shops and restaurants), the rooms will be new and there should be a certain energy in the air. As an added bonus, you will get a deeply discounted room rate and may even be upgraded to experience and test out better rooms.
Google 'Macau hotel soft openings' for the latest information
Check out local press or contact the hotels directly
'Ley ho ma?' (That's 'How are you?' in Cantonese) and welcome to Hong Kong. You'll be arriving at Hong Kong International Airport (www.hongkongairport.com), just 25 minutes away from the Hong Kong Island and regular winner of the Best International Airport award. Hong Kong International Airport (IATA Code: HKG) serves as the gateway to this buzzing city or as a hub to further connections to the rest of Asia. Terminal 1 serves as the low-cost terminal and features a full sized cinema as well as the Hong Kong essential - shops. Yes, shopping (along with eating) is the national pastime in Hong Kong with shops staying open until late. Service is generally good (as long as you are spending money) and best of all - Hong Kong is has no sales tax.
Tip 1: Forget the 'duty-free shops' at the airport. The whole of Hong Kong is duty-free so the airport is often the most expensive places to buy your souvenirs. The Hong Kong Airport Express train offers an efficient way straight to Kowloon or Hong Kong Island. Note that Kowloon station is not very well connected to the MTR (the distances are quite large - if carrying a suitcase, you may want to take a taxi from the station).
Practicalities and getting around
As a former British Colony, Hong Kong is a breeze to navigate even for the most novice business traveller. Signs and announcements are typically in three languages (Mandarin, Cantonese and English, although written Mandarin is the same as Cantonese) so as long as you can read English you shouldn't have a problem getting around. Most people in the main business areas also speak English but it's always worthwhile having the address of where you want to go to written down in Chinese, just in case your taxi driver doesn't know the English name for the destination (street names have both English and Chinese names - sometimes they don't correlate and they certainly aren't pronounced the same). The Hong Kong Dollar is pegged to the US Dollar so this is the most common currency of exchange.
Tip 2: If you have spare US Dollars on you, it may be more cost efficient to change USD into HKD as the exchange rate will be fixed. However, given the current weakness of the USD vs GBP, you might want to capture a good rate now. (www.hsbc.com.hk)
Tip 3: Get yourself an Octopus card - accepted as payment on the MTR and public transport systems - buy one with an Airport Express ticket included at the airport (www.octopuscards.com).
Where to stay
Hong Kong benefits from a strong portfolio of hotels which can cater for all tastes and budgets - ranging from the surprising and excellently located YMCA to the pinnacle of luxury - the Peninsula Hong Kong. However, one common denominator can be found across most hotels - service is generally outstanding and standards are higher than those found in North America and Europe. Hong Kong is split across three key areas - New Territories, Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. New Territories is the area that borders China and is not usually frequented by business travellers and tourists alike. Given the lack of business or tourist interests in this area, I would not recommend staying here. Kowloon is connected to the mainline and features shopping (the national pastime), food (the other national pastime) and business. This area tends to be slightly older than Hong Kong Island but it does benefit from slightly more space (which is hard to come by in Hong Kong) and offers greater value for money.
Tip 4: Always ask the hotel if offers special corporate rates. Most tend to do and you may be able to benefit from a complimentary upgrade or better price.
Kowloon hotel recommendations
Budget
YMCA - USD120 per night
Located on Waterloo road right by the Peninsula hotel, this YMCA is unlike any other YMCA in the world. Despite the name, it functions more as a main stream hotel rather than a hostel, offering clean and modern rooms are at great prices. Staff are friendly and down to earth. Location is perfect for exploring all that Kowloon has to offer.
Tip 5: If you want a taste of luxury - why not upgrade to a suite at the YMCA. This could at a cost similar to that of a normal luxury hotel room.
Standard
Marco Polo Prince - USD180 per night
Located as part of the huge waterfront (Harbour Plaza) shopping complex, you will never be short of all things to do in this classic Hong Kong institution. This hotel forms part of the Marco Polo chain and you will find other Marco Polo hotels adjacent to this hotel. Well located for shopping and perfect for journeys on the star ferry. Traffic in this area can sometimes be bad which means travelling by car is not ideal.
Luxury
Peninsula - USD450 per night
Look up luxury in the dictionary and you may find the Peninsula Hong Kong listed. Every whim and care is catered for in this five-star complex. Famed for its old colonial style, high tea still features strongly on the tourist trail. As a guest, you will benefit from access to the first class spa and pool facilities. Try whiling away the day and escaping the rush of the city as you sip cocktails by the pool. Rooms are luxurious as expected and even the smallest detail is catered for.
Hong Kong Island recommendation
Budget
Lang Kwai Fong Hotel - USD200 per night
Small but well formed, the Lang Kwai Fong Hotel is actually located about a 10 minute walk from its expat haven namesake but the hotel is close enough to wonder back to after a night out. It is also five minutes away from Hong Kong's Soho district which is famed for its al fresco dining and the outdoor escalator which claims to be the world's only outdoor escalator. Rooms are small but the location is excellent for anyone wanting to stay centrally without the cost.
Standard
Lanson Place - USD250 per night
This boutique hotel is the real gem of Hong Kong. Set back from the hub of Causeway Bay, shopping and dining are just moments away. Rooms are well decorated and feature small kitchenettes. Breakfast is generally included in room rates and the hotel staff are very helpful. Rooms feature flat screen TVs and DVD players. The hotel lends out DVDs and books as part of its library. The gym is well equipped and modern.
Luxury
Four Seasons - USD450 per night
Perfectly located on top of Hong Kong Station (connected to the Airport Express), this bastion of luxury does not disappoint. The rooms are bright and well appointed and can overlook the harbour. Conveniently located by the International Finance Tower, the Four Seasons hotel boasts one of the most convenient locations for business meetings. As a business traveller, you may find it very convenient for your trips in and out of the airport and to meetings.
Where to eat
Hong Kong's streets are filled with places to eat. Depending on how adventurous you are, you can eat for as little as a couple of USD and be very satisfied with the fresh and delightful food. Food halls also offer a convenient and accessible way of finding a quick lunch. Recommended food halls include Pacific Place and the shopping centre attached to Kowloon Tong. Try market stalls (they have been cleaned up post-SARs) for a true experience of local Hong Kong. The one over the road from Soho, Causeway Bay, is the most accessible (although apparently the most expensive according to locals).
What to do
Top ten Hong Kong attractions that won't take too much out time out of your schedule. Estimated time for each is included so that you can squeeze it into your busy schedule.
1. Peak tram - great views of the city travelling up the Peak Tram.
www.thepeak.com.hk
Time required - 2 hours
2. Star ferry - cross the harbour with classic style on board the famous (and fantastically cheap) Star Ferry.
www.starferry.com.hk
Time required - 20 mins
3. Shopping - shop till you drop at huge shopping malls. Try Pacific Place, Hong Kong Island and Harbour City, Kowloon
www.pacificplace.com.hk
Time required - 2 hours
4. Ladies market (Tung Choi Street) - better to browse rather than buy, this market features cheap goods and 'almost authentic' goods.
Time required - 1 hour
5. Stanley market - step away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy this small former fishing town and its market.
Time required - 2 hours
6. Ocean Park - if family are accompanying you, then take them to Ocean Park for some marine-themed fun.
www.oceanpark.com.hk
Time required - 5 hours
7. Causeway Bay - best seen at dusk - watch the hip and trendy come out to meet for movies, karaoke and of course food and shopping. Check out the Times Square shopping centre and restaurant complex.
www.timessquare.com.hk
Time required - 2 hours
8. Happy Valley racecourse - check online to see the race timetable. Get yourself a general admission ticket or arrange a box for an experience you can bet on. www.happyvalleyracecourse.com
Time required - 3.5 hours
9. Ride a tram - be taken back to Hong Kong's colonial past whilst riding on these trams that run through Hong Kong island's central district.
www.hktramways.com
Time required - 20 mins
10. High team at the Peninsula - OK, not so much Hong Kong but luxury at its finest. Enjoy fresh pastries in a delightful setting. Reservations recommended.
hongkong.peninsula.com
Time required - 2 hours
mtr.com.hk/eng/airport_express/intro_index.html
www.discoverhongkong.com
www.hongkong.peninsula.com
www.marcopolohotels.com
www.ymca.hk.org.hk
www.lankwaifonghotel.com.hk
www.lansonplace.com/lphk/lanson.swf
www.fourseasons.com/hongkong
The Lan Kwai Fong is a wonderful boutique hotel in Central on Hong Kong Island. Not to be confused with the strip of bawdy bars of the same name, the LKF is perfectly placed for the sights and sounds of HK.
While the rooms are admittedly tiny the facilities are excellent and the staff extremely friendly and, if you secure a room with a view (the higher the better), the view is every bit as spectacular as its more expensive western neighbours.
www.lankwaifonghotel.com.hk
3 Kau U Fong, Central, Hong Kong
Phone: +852 3650 0299
Email: rsvn@lankwaifonghotel.com.hk
A good, simple hotel, facing a sandy beach, located on the other side of Lantau's steep mountain.
All the other hotels near the airport are more than double this price (double room with bathroom about £35/night), so even with a taxi each way (HK$130 - £10) it's still better to stay at Silvermines.
If you have time, there's also the A35 bus from HK's impressive, gigantic, iconic airport. The bus gets there in the end, but a very slow and infrequent service.
Book on the internet (Expedia etc) for the best prices; book in directly at the hotel and you could pay 50% more! Make sure your internet booking includes their big buffet breakfast, which is really well worth having!
Great eating places all around the ferry terminal; foods are all traditional Cantonese style, fast vanishing elsewhere in the booming city. You will eat very well here for HK$30 or less per person. Steamed basket dim sum less than HK$10!
Remember that you have to walk a short distance along a pedestrians-only roadway to get there, so not good if you have a tonne of luggage. So travel light.
The very best thing is you can get into HK Central by direct ferry, in 30 minutes, a most memorable experience for a bargain HK$12.
Like New York, Venice Italy, and just a very few other cities in the world, HK should be first approached by water, in order to get the true flavour and best experience into the very heart of the place.
D. D. 2 Lot 648 Silvermine Bay Mui Wo Lantau Island
A great hotel with an outdoor swimming pool on the 7th floor and great views over the harbour. It’s on Hong Kong Island and above the amazing Pacific Place shopping mall. Really central and the staff were really helpful.
Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong Island;
tel: 852 2810 8366;
marriott.com/property/propertypage/HKGDT
If you are looking for budget accommodation, try Winner Holiday House for HK$170 a night. The room has a double bed, TV/DVD and its own bathroom.
The low apartment blocks are a five-minute walk from Silvermine Bay and can be booked on arrival from the accommodation kiosk on the pier
I grew up in Hong Kong and recently returned for a holiday. The Island Shangri La is perhaps the best hotel in Hong Kong, as it is right downtown in Central and has entrances to the Pacific Mall. The rooms and services are brilliant as well.
Whatever hotel you choose, make sure to stay on the actual island itself. Kowloon does not have enough amenities or attractions to make it worth staying there.
Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central, Hong Kong; tel: 852 2877 3838
One of many luxury hotels in Hong Kong but this one is just that bit special. Extremely well located on the Kowloon side, it’s just a few steps from the Star Ferry terminal and the malls of Ocean Terminal. Opposite it is the Hong Kong space museum and it is not too far from the Hong Kong science museum – both great venues for children. And of course the hotel has a shopping mall of its own.
Rooms are spacious and elegant and the service is as you would expect. However the best part of it is that the hotel does relatively affordable helicopter rides. A fab way to see Hong Kong or to buzz yourself to the airport.
It also has Rolls-Royces to transfer you to the airport – very comfortable and only a fraction of the price of what you would pay for a car transfer from Narita to Tokyo.
Salisbury Road, Kowloon; Tel: 852 2920 2888; www.peninsula.com or www.lhw.com
An excellent alternative to the noise and bustle of Central Hong Kong but easy to get there, with the locals, by ferry - which is two minutes from the hotel. Close to the airport (about 40 mins by taxi, 60 by bus). Excellent value.
D.D. 2 Lot 648 Silvermine Bay, Mui Wo, Lantau Island
Tel: (852) 2736-0922 Fax: (852) 2405-0922
A lovely hostel right on the harbour at Tsim Tsa Shui - it's next door to the famous Peninsula hotel, and you get the same amazing views for a fraction of the price. Breakfast is great value, the rooms are hotel standard rather than hostel and there's a gym and swimming pool. Rooms are great value at 800-900HK dollars, which is about £55-65 for a double.
Whatever you do don’t take the advice of guidebooks to stay at Rent a Room, Hong Kong. Tiny rooms, rude staff and despite having sent my credit cards through in advance by email to make the reservation, we were sent out at 2am to a cashpoint to pay for the first night's accommodation in advance. The worst place we stayed in four months of travelling in Asia.
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