Hong Kong recommendations needed
 

I know we had a recent thread on Hong Kong, but the OP needed advice on a short layover. I'm looking for input on a week long stay in early September. I'm trying to nail down a hotel currently. We'll be going for a 5 star, since they are very reasonable. Any input on best location? Important factors are shopping, restaurants, metros and general touristy stuff. Expedia lists the following locations as choices.

Causeway Bay
Central
Hong Kong International Airport
Hung Hom
Jordan
Kwun Tong
Lantau Island
Mong Kok
North Point
Sha Tin
Tai Koo Shing
Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsuen Wan
Wan Chai
Western District

Like I did in Shanghai, we will probably take a high speed train to another city for a couple nights. No idea where yet. Thanks!

We stayed at the Peninsula and it was fantastic. Make sure to arrange pick up in one of their Rolls Royce limos. The pool looks out over the harbor, night swim recommended. Great experience.

We took the train to Lantau Island. There are a number of ways to get up to the monastery at the top, I recommend the cable cars. You can have a meal inside the monastery. If I recall correctly, you can pay a bit more for a 'deluxe' meal at an inside dining room. Again, great experience.

Motion book the W in Kowloon. Great hotel. Kowloon station is downstairs and you can get there on the airport express train. The Ritz is right next door so be sure to check out "Ozone" up top for night caps. Get around with an Octopus card. HK has one of the best infrastructures in the world.

Good party areas are Lan Kwai Fong and be sure to check out Soho and the mid-levels escalators for eats. Temple street night market is fun if it's your first time over there. Times Square for shopping but there are many other options. If you want to see the belly of the beast check out Chung King Mansions but otherwise avoid.

If you're with your significant other avoid Wan Chai. If you're with some buddies it can be a fun place to check out. If you have some time get on a ferry and head over to Macau. Have dinner at Fernando's for proper Portuguese chicken. Macau is a 50 minute ferry ride and has come a long way in the last 10 years. Bungee jump off that tower. It's awesome.

I suggest staying in the heart of the city like Causeway Bay, Central, Wan chi, or Thim Sha Tsui where the shops and restaurants are within walking distance. This would be similar to staying in Midtown Manhattan and not in the outside of town. Hong Kong isn't that big so a taxi ride within a two hours will get you across the entire city.

I wouldn't stay in places Shi Tin (new territory) or the outer islands because it a bit of a train ride into the heart of the city. They have shopping there too, but it isn't the hustle and bustle associated with Hong Kong. This would be like staying in Mission Viejo vs. West Hollywood/ W.LA. The first time I was there back in college, I stay off the beaten path thinking I save a few bucks. The second time around, I made sure I was within walking distance from all the fun stuff.

I've spent a lot of odd days in HK over the years. as above for the hotels, stay central, either Central on the island or Tsim Sha Tsui. Both are good for shopping.

Things you must do:
Star Ferry.

Get the bus (not the railway) up to the peak and walk down on the path through the jungle (as my kids call it) If you go the right way you can end up at the mid levels for a well earned cold beer, or end up in the zoo. I say take the bus because it winds its way up Happy Valley and the views are great. Top deck, front seat, its like a roller coaster ride.

The Big buddha and monastery are excellent.

Go to the Ladies Market (Mong Kok, east from the metro) and/or the Night Market. If you want to shop, better off in the USA, high end goods are not cheaper in HK any more, there's too much chinese money flowing through it for that. Bond St in London is cheaper for luxury goods than HK.

what ever you do take the one, cheapest way to see Hong Kong. The Star Ferry. Doesn't matter what route, just spend your 2.2HK$ and enjoy the harbor. If you can swing it, do it at 8 when they do the laser light show between HK and Kowloon

I've travelled to HK on business quite a bit. I'm a fan of the Mandarin Oriental in Central. Four Seasons is also very nice, rooms are generally larger there in my experience, but the Mandarin just has something special going on in my opinion. This may sound weird but the Mandarin hotel just smells good. They must have some kind of fragrance piped in. One time I was there it happened to be my birthday. I returned to my room after a long day at our office there and the hotel had left me a cake from the on premises cake shop (which is top shelf, btw). Love that place.

Lots to see and do in HK. If your wife is keen, head over to the Jade Market (Kowloon side). We bought my wife a string of pearls there that is probably 8 feet long end to end...was probably $40-$50. Good place to pick up gifts.

If you want mix with the locals stay in Mong Kok. You can walk to the Olympic train station and if you pick the right hotel you will have amazing views of the Hong Kong skyline. Mong Kok really is the heart of Hong Kong. Hong Kong would have to be one of my favourite places.
To do the Peak trip catch the train to central and then the bus (bus 15) as the tram will always have a queue that will take you 50-60 minutes. The bus does it in 30mins or so.
Also take a day trip or an overnight stay in Macau. The casinos have regualr free shows.

I would suggest Guangzhou. It's been a while since I've been there, but it was my first foray into the Mainland from HK and was such an amazing experience. There is no better food anywhere than in GZ. Some of those restaurants hold 3k people. It's a gi-normous place and very exciting to be there.

and get a foot message, right Rick? Man, that lady kick my ass, as I was screaming from the top of my lungs, but I felt really damn great after the ordeal.

Thanks, everyone! We are heading out tomorrow. Will report back.

Missed this the first time around. I'll ask my wife and send you some more suggestions. She can give you the local perspective.

Last time I was in Hong Kong was in 1984 but I checked and the McDonalds on Nathan Road at a large intersection named "5 points" is still there. It was 3 stories high and had a moving floor in front of the counter where you would order, pay and then get your food. The burgers were from Australia which tasted pretty good and the seats and tables were all sized for people smaller than I am. Nathan Road used to have a lot of department stores for some pretty good shopping.

If you like chocolates, try some Lucullus. I can't say if they are as good as I remember them, or it's just rosy retrospection on my part.

Park Lane in Central, near to the Wan Chai Ferry terminal. Have done the Intercontinental on Kowloon, great views, any of the Langhams. Star Ferry a must. Drinks at the top of the Peninsula, dinner at Hutong in Kowloon. Book it for 1945 and be ready for the laser show.

Thanks. We are here now and just getting started with exploring. Any experience with quality fake Rolexes? What are asking/selling prices? I've heard they are excellent reproductions these days. We're located off Nathan Rd in Kowloon.

Skip the fake Rolex. It is not worth any price.

Weather is expected to be bright and sunny for the next several days, so plan outdoor activities.

As mentioned by members here, take a tram up to the Peak. Better yet, try to time your arrival to the Peak at around 6pm to see the magnificent sunset. Afterwards, you can have a relaxing dinner at Cafe Deco at the Peak Galleria.http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294217-d799963-Reviews-Cafe_Deco-Hong_Kong.html


If you can tolerate the humid weather, ask the waiter for a table outside to enjoy the meal accompanied by the night skyline. There is a Madame Tussauds Wax Museum at the Galleria should you be interested in such exhibition.

To escape the concrete jungle and the overwhelming crowd in the city, my next recommendation for you is to take a public bus #6 or 6X from the bus terminus underneath Exchange Square and head to Stanley Market/Beach. You get off at the last stop. If you are not prone to car-sick, sit in the upper level of the bus and try to find seats at the front. You will then be able enjoy the view along the exciting and sometimes scary ride.

Stanley Market is a bazaar that, honestly, is a tourist trap. Souvenir prices are inflated, but, it is a good place to try your bargaining skills. Once you escape the bazaar unharmed, there is a boardwalk with numerous restaurants and bars for your enjoyment.

Shopping destinations:

1. Prices for athletic shoes are quite reasonable in HK and there is a street in Mongkok that has numerous shoes stores.

2. Causeway Bay (CWB) and Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) are great places for shopping and eating. IFC and Landmark in Central for higher-end shopping and eating.

3. After shopping and eating in CWB or TST, there is no reason to go to Tai Koo Shing unless you have a friend living in the area. Same goes for North Point, Hung Hom and Tsun Wan.

4. Nothing interesting in the Western District unless you need to buy dried abalone, mushroom, birds nest or sharks fin


Interesting destinations:

1. Watering holes are located in Wan Chai, TST and Lan Kwai Fong in Central. Take the long escalator ride from Central up to Mid-Levels. It cuts through Soho, another popular area for food and drinks.

2. Lantau Island has the Big Buddha statue. Take the cable car ride up to the top. You can pay a few dollars for a Crystal Cable car with a glass bottom. The view of the HK Airport is quite impressive too.

http://www.np360.com.hk/en/

3. Non-tourist destination: Car dealerships (including Porsche, Land Rover, Jaguar, Lamborghini, BMW and Maserati) are located on Gloucester Road. Free feel to walk into a dealership and look at the cars. There is a Lamboghini exhibition at the ground floor of Soundview Plaza 2, a new commercial building next to Times Square in CWB.




Enjoy the city. By luck, we may cross path in HK!

Jeff I know you live there. Do you know if that old Indian restaurant right next to the Peak tram station is still there. There are a few restaurants there and they are set up like gardens. My wife and I ate there years ago when we were dating. It was our big oversea trip after college. Now I like to retrace our footstep with our little kids in a couple of years and love to bring them there. Its has a view unlike anywhere else in the world.

Jeff

I do not believe the Indian restaurant is there anymore. You may have to settle for shrimps from Bubba Gump.

Restaurants on Victoria Peak

Shopping tips:

1. My friends from the States say products sold at Apple stores (located in IFC and Hysan Place at CWB) are cheaper than back home. Visit the shop and compare the prices.

2. Beware of buying electronic products from small electronic stores. Stick with large retail chains either Fortress or Broadway. Same goes for medicine should you feel unwell; head over to Mannings or Watsons to buy your medicine or other bodycare products.


People:

1. Avoid Indian or Pakistani scammers who approach and say you are a lucky man or some other blessing.

2. If you see Chinese people cutting in line or squatting on the floor, they are tourists from China and not local Chinese (I am not a racist, just telling the facts).

3. People walk fast in HK and, unfortunately, many of their eyes are locked onto their smartphones while walking. Prepare to walk zigzag.

Bubba Gump???? #@$%%$ NOOOOO.

Found it. This placehttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1409980998.jpg

jeff,

I jsut saw it on Goggle map, its all built up. There was nothing on the other side of the restaurant. Now the whole tram station is right there. Oh well, thanks.

My fault for causing you great anxiety. Bubba Gump is located inside the Peak Galleria.

The place in your photo is still there just next to the tram station. It is not an Indian restaurant but a western restaurant called The Peak Lookout. http://www.peaklookout.com.hk/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294217-d788642-Reviews-The_Peak_Lookout-Hong_Kong.html

Hotel location

My pick :
1. Admiralty (there are three 5 stars hotels all within walking distance Island ShangriLa, JW Marriott and Conrad) or there is a nice boutique hotel (the Upper house).
2. Central : Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons, etc.

I live in Hong Kong, if you need specific information, PM me,

Enjoy.
Cheers
Carson

Jeff, thanks for so much useful information! To be honest, we are becoming a bit overwhelmed with the crowds and shopping scene here. Yesterday, we took a break and headed over to Cheung Chau Island on the fast ferry for the day. I think we'll be looking for less-busy activities for our remaining time here. Should be a challenge :)

I saw like 6 993s in Hong Kong and back on Repulse Bay. Pleasant surprise!

Run down the street looking over you shoulder screaming Godzilla, it will clear out a bit

;)

Our guide mentioned that there were more Rolls Royces and 5 star hotels per capita then anywhere else in the world. This was 15 years ago, I am not sure about now? Maybe he was jerking my chain. I saw only 1 993 at the mid levels stuck in traffic from the upper deck of a double decker.

Wrong country :rolleyes:

I'm going to open this one up again. I'm in HK tonight, Tsim Sha Tsui. Wandered around a bit amazed that it can change so much but still remain the same. i liked it when it was a bit different to other cities - been coming here for 15 years. Now its just shopping shopping shopping which doesn't interest me at all.

So, what is there to do in the evening? I am trying to find some new regular restaurants. All the nice hotel ones I used to eat in are now either buffets for about HKD500 (!) or mind meltingly expensive. Kowloon Hotel used to have a nice pizzeria - gone. The Marco Polo HK as it is now used to be good now $$$$$. The Regent (not intercontinental) used to do a lovely dinner in the harbour view restaurant. Now it is booked up years in advance and costs big bucks. Its a shame not to enjoy such a great city. Oh, and food poisoning isn't an option either. I'm here on business and can't afford to waste time. Off to Vietnam in a couple of days. Any thoughts there on a bit of R&R in Da Nang ( I have one day!)

If you don't like to shop, then yeah, you're in trouble :)

Have you had the dim sum at the place in Silvercord mall? Din Tai Fung I believe. We ate there twice and really enjoyed it. Not too expensive, either.

A client took me to one here in the outer LA area. There are a couple of Din Tai Fungs around so cal