p41-43 ttg_lux_city Hong Kongv2 27/11/09 14:13 Page 43
home to the one of the city’s biggest passions. The Langham: Dripping with expensive and
Horseracing is the only legal gambling in individual artwork The Langham is a
Hong Kong and a night race is a frantic, European-style haven in the heart of the
surreal event worth seeing even for those bustling Tsimshatsui shopping and tourism
with no intention of placing a bet. Happy district. The Leading Hotels of the World
Valley has been the home of horse racing in member has a rooftop pool with spectacular
HK since 1846 so the city has grown up views of the city.
around it (happyvalleyracecourse.com). 8 Peking Road, Kowloon.
Beach: Repulse Bay, or “excuse me bay” as Tel: 00852 2375 1133,
locals call it due to how busy the beach gets hongkong.langhamhotels.com
in summer months, has a collection of
statues of the gods. Appropriate behaviour
How to book
is to touch them but visitors need to be Seasons in Style offers three nights at The
careful which God they put palm to as the Peninsula Hong Kong with a free upgrade to
act alone can get you pregnant or into a a Superior Suite (subject to availability) from
relationship... £1,415pp room-only, saving up to £420pp.
Includes a Hong Kong Island tour, BA flights
Rooms
and private transfers. Valid May 6-Sept 9.
We stayed at. . . Tel: 01244 206000, seasonsinstyle.com ■
Four Seasons: It’s not often a two Michelin
star restaurant has cause to suffer an
inferiority complex, but the Four Seasons
also boasts the world’s only three Michelin The Insider
star Chinese restaurant. Set in the financial
Frankie Tsoi, tour co-ordinator, Pacific
district, the hotel overlooks Victoria Harbour
World, DMC for Seasons In Style
“The city is very easy to get around
and is connected to the IFC shopping mall.
because it is relatively small. It is a great
The rooms are relatively traditional but
place to get lost because you will never
with the expected modern touches of a top end up too far away from where you want
notch 21st-century luxury hotel. A brand like
to be. But having someone with you who
Four Seasons comes with a guarantee that
speaks the language and understands the
culture when visiting certain places such as
every detail has been considered, proven by
temples or restaurants with no English
the offer of disposable swimming shorts for
menus can reveal another side to Hong
hastily packed guests. Kong. Also try to get outside of the city for
The walk from rooms to the pool is a slight
a day or two to experience the region’s
irritation as it involves a longer than ideal
natural beauty.”
dressing-gowned stroll, but the walk is well
worth it and a night time swim is an
unforgettable treat. The spa offers a suitably
complex range of treatments, and at around
£78 per night per couple executive lounge
membership is worth considering.
8 Finance Street, Central.
concierge
Hong Kong
Tel: 00852 3196 8888,
fourseasons.com/hongkong
When to go: the only Hong Kong and together discoverhongkong.com
The Upper House: Opened so recently floor time to avoid is October, with the MTR (under- Tourism Commission,
lights were still being installed outside upon during which period a ground) and trams visi- tourism.gov.hk
my arrival this hotel – attached to the Pacific number of corporate tors can cover 90% of
Place shopping centre – attempts no fanfare trade fairs tend to take what they will want to see Time: GMT + 8
on entry. The lobby is not designed to do over the city and drive on a trip to Hong Kong.
anything but get guests upstairs so consists of hotel prices up. Cashflow:
a very simple desk and two escalators. The Weatherwise, spring or Who goes: better £1 ≈ 12.8HKD
understated introduction is soon cast aside autumn are most question is probably who
by the modern, spacious and tasteful rooms. comfortable with tem- doesn’t go and the In touch:
They are flawless and clearly designed for peratures tending to sit answer is no one. intl dial code: 852,
people who like to spend time in their accom- in the early to mid 20s. Backpackers all the way mobile networks are
modation. Enormous windows cover two up to the wealthiest strong everywhere in HK.
walls giving a constant, stunning reminder of Getting there: Cathay people on the planet are
the destination. It’s piece de resistance is the Pacific runs four flights a accommodated for. Just opened: Hullett
bar/restaurant with mesmerising night-time day and other direct House has opened in
views. The Upper house feels more like carriers include BA, Wow factor: the one of the four oldest
luxury apartments than a hotel. Virgin Atlantic, Air New Peninsula hotel offers a buildings in Hong Kong,
88 Queensway. Tel: 00852 2918 1838, Zealand and Qantas. unique sightseeing day the historical former
upperhouse.com which includes a Marine Police Headquar-
Getting around: taxis helicopter, private yacht ters’ in Tsim Sha Tsui.
We also like. . . are probably the slowest and a Rolls Royce. The Each room will be based
The Peninsula: Hong Kong’s oldest and most way to get around. A pair chopper drops clients on on a time in Hong Kong’s
famous five-star hotel has been open since of legs and the Star a beach unreachable by history and a perform-
1928 but has worked hard to fight off Ferry which connects any other mode of ance area has been
competition from a growing number of Hong Kong Island and transport, leaving them created as a venue for
pretenders to the throne. It is the only hotel Kowloon will give you with nothing but a traditional festivals and
with a helipad, and afternoon tea is still on days’ worth of explo- champagne picnic. celebrations.
most “100 things to do before you die” lists. ration possibilities. The Hyatt Regency has
Salisbury Road, Kowloon. There are a series of Useful contacts: Hong also just opened in the
Tel: 00852 29202888, boats to other parts of Kong Tourist Board, same area of town.
peninsula.com
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68