Travel to Hong Kong: Hong Kong is one of the most spectacular cities on any continent. It is cosmopolitan. It is historical rich. It is vibrant, and there are many must-see sites and destinations. Taking in the entire city and absorbing it would require a lengthy stay. Some of the views of the city itself exceed spectacular and call for a consortium of lexicographers to draw up new superlatives to define it accurately.
The Premier Luxury Hotel
The Peninsula Hong Kong is among the finest accommodations in Hong Kong. It is one of the most lavish hotels anywhere. Since it features a helipad on its rooftop and a fleet of Rolls Royce limousines, is it really necessary to further qualify the ultra-luxury status of the city's oldest and most prestigious hotel? Venerable publications such as Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler (USA), Food & Wine, and the Robb Report have heaped numerous awards or citations commending its overall excellence. When visiting Hong Kong, the Peninsula either tops or is among the top choices recommended by jetsetters, business travelers, and travel-industry pundits alike. The Peninsula's policy is to always seek new ways to improve the quality of service to its esteemed patrons. The Fly & Dine plan, which provides a helicopter view of the city topped off by an exquisite dining experience is the latest such offering. The hotel provides helicopter airport shuttles to guests.
Things to see & do:
Hong Kong Island's Victoria Peak will pique the interest of most visitors, as its highest point is more than 1,800 feet above sea level. It is a favorite destination for sightseeing or city viewing day or night. It offers an unsurpassed view of bubbly town. There are rows of skyscrapers that resemble dominos at the Central District, which is HK's business hub. The 72-story Bank of China Tower and the 78-story Central Plaza are the highest buildings. Victoria Harbour is among the busiest harbors worldwide with a steady flow of incoming and outgoing ships. With neon lights everywhere, Hong Kong's amazing nighttime cityscape is as flashy as the Las Vegas Strip.
For daytime family-oriented fun, Ocean Park is thrice as much fun with a sea aquarium, a swimming area, and an amusement park rolled into one sprawling location. Dolphins can be viewed in their natural habitat. Literally thousands of fish ranging from tiny and cute to large and menacing are viewable through a three-to-four-story-high elliptical fish bowl called Atoll Reef. The Shark Aquarium is where sharks are observed on both sides of an underwater viewing tunnel. Ocean Theater is an open-air outdoor sea theater with dolphins and sea lions performing daily. There also is a waterslide/swimming area with twisting slides and an amusement park. A few of the park's rides are quite dizzying. The Abyss Turbo Drop, whose name alone is somewhat daunting, slowly rises 185 feet, offering a magnificent canopy-like view of the complex; and then, surprisingly, it plummets very, very rapidly! There are several uplifting rides in the mix, along with many easier, breezier rides too.
Cultural buffs will delight over the Hong Kong Space Museum and the Hong Kong Museum of Art. The HK Space Museum offers meteorite specimens, artifacts, antique instruments, and replicas of spacecrafts, presentations on astronomy, and astrophotography. The Hong Kong Museum of Art has over 14,000 art objects, such as Chinese paintings, calligraphy works, antiques, and paintings of historical significance. Its primary focus is to preserve pertinent items relating to the history and development of China.
The Cultural Center, which is in the same vicinity as the aforementioned Museum of Art and the Space Museum, is a multiple-use complex with various size halls. The Concert Hall is the home of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, whereas the Grand Theater is used for operas, ballets, and musical productions. The Studio Theater is used for smaller-scale productions or performances. Additionally, there is an Exhibition Gallery and four entrance foyers.
Meanwhile, back at the hotel, the Peninsula Arcade has more than 80
specialty shops and boutiques of world-renowned designers and manufacturers. The Peninsula has worked with ESPA to develop exclusive treatments and products for its patrons. The spacious onsite fitness center has sufficient aerobic and weight-training equipment to house professional-level athletes. There also is a huge indoor swimming pool on the eighth floor that is opened year round.
Fine Dining & Best Restaurants:
Fine dining options are plentiful in and around the Peninsula. Yung Kee, an establishment with a 60-year track record, serves up Cantonese cuisine. Gaia, which has an Italian-styled menu, is among the favorite hangouts of Hong Kong's glitterati. Café Deco dishes are international by ranging from Italian to Indian and most points in between. Ye Shanghai features live music nightly and a Shanghai-based fare. M at the Fridge, the KEE Club, Lotus and WasabiSabi are additional restaurants and nightspots to keep on the list.
The Hong Kong Peninsula is among the finest hotels of the world. The Peninsula also has locations in Bangkok, Beijing, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Manila, New York, and, by September, Tokyo. But do keep in mind that there are other five-star hotels and resorts in Hong Kong capable of ensuring a pleasant stay as well. There is the Mandarin Oriental, the Four Seasons, the InterContinental, the Langham Hotel, and Le Meridien to name a few.
For LxM James Rothaar
Additional Information:
Getting There: The airport is situated 21 miles (34km) northwest of Hong Kong Island and 14 miles (23km) from Kowloon. Time: GMT +8. Contacts: Tel: +852 2181 8888. Transfer to the city: The Airport Express Line is a dedicated airport railway line providing a fast and reliable service to and from the airport and downtown Hong Kong (HK$100 one way). Trains depart daily, every 12 minutes, between 6am and 1am. Free scheduled shuttle buses leave Hong Kong and Kowloon stations everyday. Luxury coaches at the airport also serve many destinations within Hong Kong. Taxis and limousines are readily available. Facilities: Airport facilities include banks, ATMs, bureaux de change, a post office, beauty salon, a children's play area, showers, restaurants, shops (including duty-free), disabled facilities, Website: www.hongkongairport.com
Why? The challenge of a holiday in Hong Kong is to have enough time to fit in all the aspects of this exciting city of contrasts. There are some things not to be missed during a Hong Kong holiday, and these include the food, the superlative shopping, a cruise to the outlying islands, and to spend some quiet moments in the natural setting of a peaceful park. There is nowhere on earth quite like Hong Kong, which is reason enough for anyone to travel here.
When? It is a little too hot and humid in summer, and winter can be too chilly, but in late spring or the autumn months the temperature is just right for a holiday in Hong Kong. During Chinese New Year many restaurants and shops will be closed, so it is wise to check the date for this event when planning a holiday to Hong Kong.
Who for? There is surely no one of any age or persuasion that would not find something to enjoy in a Hong Kong holiday. The city is packed with attractions and things to do, from theme parks to fortune tellers.
Language: The official languages in Hong Kong are English and Cantonese. The other main language is Mandarin.
Entry requirements for Americans: United States citizens must have a valid passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
VISIT WEBSITE (852) 2812 7070 19, Island Road, Deep Water Bay Hong Kong, China
Heliservices Limited
VISIT WEBSITE (852) 2802 0200 The Peninsula Hong Kong Hotel
Luxury Spas
The Oriental Spa
VISIT WEBSITE (852) 2132 0011 The Landmark Mandarin Oriental 15 Queens Road Central
Langham Place
VISIT WEBSITE (852) 3552 3510 555 Shanghai Street Mongkok, Kowloon
Four Seasons Hotel
VISIT WEBSITE (852) 3196 8888 8 Finance Street Central Hong Kong, China
The Peninsula Hong Kong
VISIT WEBSITE (852) 2315 3322 Salisbury Road Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
Chuan Spa
VISIT WEBSITE (852) 3552 3510 Level 41, Langham Place Hotel
Mongkok, Hong Kong
The Firm
VISIT WEBSITE 15th Floor, The Centrium
60 Wyndam Street
Central Hong Kong, China
Bars & Nightlife
yumla
VISIT WEBSITE (852) 2147 2382 Lower Basement, Harilela House, 79 Wyndham Street Central Hong Kong, China
Felix at the Peninsula
VISIT WEBSITE (852) 2315 3188 Salisbury Road Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
Aqua Luna Cheung Po Tsai
VISIT WEBSITE (852) 2116 8821 Penthouse One Peking Road Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
1Dragon-I
(852) 3110 1222 60 Wyndham St.
Hong Kong, China
Klong Bar & Grill
(852) 2217 8330 54-62 Lockhart Rd.
Hong Kong, China
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Luxury Hotels in Hong Kong
Regal Riverside Hotel A newly renovated and spacious hotel that is furnished in wooden color to provide guests with a warm and home-like hospitality service.
Regal Oriental Hotel Ideally nestled in downtown Kowloon peninsula, Regal Oriental Hotel offers first-class accommodation and amenities for international travelers.
Regal Kowloon Hotel Located in a superb downtown location in Tsimshatsui, Regal Kowloon Hotel is the best choice for business and leisure travellers.
Regal Hong Kong Hotel An elegant oasis of five-star luxury set in the heart of the vibrant commercial and entertainment district of Causeway Bay.
Harbour Plaza Hong Kong Enjoy panoramic views of one of the world's most famous harbours and skylines from the spectacular Harbour Plaza Hong Kong.
InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong was one of the first hotels on the Tsim Sha Tsui East waterfront and still sets the standard for excellence in Hong Kong.
The Excelsior The Excelsior, Hong Kong is in the heart of the entertainment, business and shopping district, with spectacular views over Victoria Harbour.
Landmark Mandarin Oriental Escape the thunderous whirl of Hong Kong's center and enter a cocoon of private luxury.
