So I'm trying to decide what Hong Kong hotel to stay in post-cruise PANDA. I've heard good things about the Peninsula, the Inter-Continental, and the Four Seasons. Also interesting-looking are the Mandarin Oriental and the Shangri-La. The 2 SPG properties in Hong Kong (the LeMeridien and the Sheraton) don't look that appealing. AMEX Platinum has a lot of these hotels in their Fine Hotel program which might sway my decision too depending on rate.

So which hotels have people stayed in and why did you like your hotel? Any help appreciated!

Masaki

We stayed at the Intercontinental in March for 3 nights and just loved it! Booked through Amex Fine Hotels and got a very good rate and fabulous room with a view of the harbor--that sound and light show every night is something I will never forget. We even had room service dinner so we could enjoy the show. The service is outstanding, loved the tea in the lobby with those floor to ceiling windows where you could watch the ships going back and forth. Also a fabulous breakfast buffet. I think the location is better than the Peninsula--maybe the Intercon doesn't have the old world charm of the Pen but we were very happy at the Intercon and hated to leave.

Have a great trip!

Susan

Our experience was similar to Susan's. We stayed at the Intercontinental over New Years. Had an unforgetable dinner at Yu on New Years Eve! We also booked thru AmEx FHR program. Were upgraded to a fantastic harbor view suite and loved every moment. Breakfast buffet (included with the FHR program) was over the top.

While I agree that the location is somewhat better than the Pen, I would love to experience that hotel at some point. Standard rooms there, however, don't appear as appealing as similar rooms at the Intercon. We did love having lunch at the Peninsula Lobby though.

Four Seasons is, as expected, exceptional....but we prefer staying on the Kowloon side. Shangra la is supposed to have great suites but we haven't stayed there. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the hotels...and of course Hong Kong is such an exciting city! Have fun planning!

Hi Masaki!

Will Marika be coming on the trip? If so, I'd suggest staying around Pacific Place on Hong Kong Island. Kowloon side is simply much more crowded (buildings and people) and I'm less inclined to stay there. I've stayed at all three hotels adjoining the complex - Shangri-La, Conrad and JW Marriott. They are very comfortable, with the nod going to the Shangri-La.

There's a lovely outdoor park very close to Pacific Place. Within Pacific Place, there's ample space for her to burn off some energy. I believe all three hotels have pools so she can enjoy playing in the water.

The Mandarin Oriental is a lovely hotel, too, but is in the middle of a business block. Here's a link that shows you the relative location of the hotels. It's closer to the Star Ferry if you want to get over to Kowloon to enjoy the sights there.

http://www.asiarooms.com/hong_kong/hong_kong/central-area.html

Cheers, Anne

We have two Hong Kong threads going on at the same time! So Ports and Hotels should check each other out!

Bottom line is that Hong Kong is an awesome city with incredible culture, hotels, views, restaurants, shopping and service!

Thanks for the advice!

Anne - Marika will not be on PANDA but we're thinking about having Amanda's parents meet us in Hong Kong postcruise and to have them bring Marika so that the rest of the family in Hong Kong can meet her. So it's quite possible that she may be staying in the hotel with us.

Bonnie - I've been reading the Hong Kong thread in the Ports section but I also wanted to start a thread here in Hotels to make sure that others searching for info regarding Hong Kong hotels would have a place to read a summary of recommendations from other LCT members. :)

Sounds like InterCon is pretty well liked overall (Denise will be pleased). I will have to consider more whether we would prefer Kowloon or Hong Kong side (Amanda is leaning towards Kowloon simply because all the family is on that side).

Masaki

Lynn and I stayed at the Harbour Plaza Hong Kong( there are 3 or four Harbour Plaza hotels, so make sure you're looking at the right one). It's in the Hung Hom section( @ 5 minutes from the Peninsula and with a Star Ferry stop just outside) right on the water. The rooms are very large( unlike most of the hotels around HK) and the food/service was fantastic. The J.W. Marriott over on Victoria Island is also very nice. No matter where you stay you must have high tea at the Peninsula. If you want a copy of my travelogue of HK just e-mail me at dougburns1@cox.net and I'll send it to you.

Hi Masaki

I've been to Hong Kong about five times, although it's a few years now since my last visit. It's obviously a personal choice but I prefer to stay on the Kowloon side. It is more 'touristy' but I loved it. We stayed at the Sheraton and found it and it's position great, but I haven't experienced the InterCon. Have a great time!

Lee

Thanks Doug and Lee! I love hearing all opinions - still considering our options. Lee - so you liked the Sheraton, huh? May have to consider the SPG properties after all. Doug - you've got email. :)

Masaki

I'm going to Hong Kong, I think, in December this year. I'm waitlisted on the Seabourn Legend crossing in November. If I don't make it off the waitlist, I am also booked on the Seabourn Spirit, Singapore to Hong Kong. I think we will stay at the Intercontinental. I've read people like to stay on Hong Kong Island v. Kowloon side. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of each, other than Kowloon being more crowded and touristy? I don't really care about that. Which is easier and closer to all the favorite things to do?

The Intercontinental is on the Kowloon side. A lot of the better hotels are on the Kowloon side, but there are a lot on Victoria Island as well. With the Star ferry routes nothing is really very far removed around HK. It's quick and very inexpensive. We never use cabs when we're in HK, because the ferries, tram and buses are so convenient and run on such a regular schedule. To me, there is more to see and do on the island than around Kowloon. If you haven't been to HK before I'd be more than happy to e-mail you my detailed travelog. Lots of good info in it.

Doug,

I'm looking for a post PANDA hotel also and the rates at The Harbour Plaza are amazing (like less than half of the Peninsula or Intercontinental). Is it really in an OK location? I'd love a copy of your travelog! My e-mail is in my profile.

I noticed the same chain manages the Kowloon Hotel which is right behind the Pen. Does anyone know anything about it? It has some great rates for harbour view rooms too.

Masaki,

"We're thinking about having Amanda's parents meet us in Hong Kong postcruise and to have them bring Marika so that the rest of the family in Hong Kong can meet her."

I know you meant your "true" family, but if she is there, will there be any chance for your "LCT family" to meet her too? :3smile: :3smile: :3smile:

Arlene, if Marika makes it to Shanghai and Hong Kong the way my la-la land would like, she would LOVE to meet her LCT family!

Roberta and I are booked at the Pen, although I am open to a change. Friends who have stayed there loved the experience. Might be the only time in my life I arrange transfers with a Rolls limo. Wonder what the dress code is-Country Club Casual?

Lauri-if you decide on the Pen in Hong Kong, I would book it independently on line at the website. When I checked, there were no discounts and you can arrange your own transfer either through the hotel-I hear the MB limos are cheaper than the Rolls- or independently.

I've decided to book a room at the Harbour Plaza where Doug stayed. Two nights in a Harbour Club harbourview room came to $669 including breakfast and evening snacks/drinks. About half what the Pen is charging. I'm going to keep looking around but at least I have something!

Lauri; If it's the Harbour Plaza Hong Kong in Hung Hom you're gonna love it. It's a beautiful hotel and the rooms are spacious. We especially liked having the Star Ferry only a block away. The dress code in HK all depends on the time of the year and where you're going. We were there in late Aug/early Sep and I wore a sport coat to dinner in the evening at places like the Plume and Gaddis.

Doug - I may be booking there myself to hold a room ... :) I was checking the website yesterday and was pretty impressed!

Masaki