Hong Kong for honeymoon - any local input appreciated
Discussion
My good lady wife to be and I will be spending a week in Hong Kong from the 24th of July before heading to Bali for week two. So, I thought I'd dip in here to ask PH locals what and where comes highly recommended for food, drinks, shopping - anything in fact.
We'll be staying in the Marco Polo and as we love fine dining in the UK would love to do the Hong Kong equivalent of a Michelin starred restaurant. I've also toyed with a helicopter tour of the harbour and having a night on the lash in an ex-pat club/bar/area. I'd also like a suit hand made whilst there but not sure if it's worth it or not.
Any ideas or suggestions welcome, I've wanted to go to Hong Kong for as long as I can remember so am keen to ensure I get the very best out of it.
Thanks in advance.
Eta: Electrical sockets are the same 3-pin arrangement we have in the UK too aren't they?
We'll be staying in the Marco Polo and as we love fine dining in the UK would love to do the Hong Kong equivalent of a Michelin starred restaurant. I've also toyed with a helicopter tour of the harbour and having a night on the lash in an ex-pat club/bar/area. I'd also like a suit hand made whilst there but not sure if it's worth it or not.
Any ideas or suggestions welcome, I've wanted to go to Hong Kong for as long as I can remember so am keen to ensure I get the very best out of it.
Thanks in advance.
Eta: Electrical sockets are the same 3-pin arrangement we have in the UK too aren't they?
Edited by Fun Bus on Tuesday 5th June 23:37
Power sockets the same as UK, can be anything in Bali!
Afraid that i haven't spent much time in Honkers, usually just fly in and fly out or get very drunk with colleges and suffer amnesia the following day! , last stayed in the Marco Polo about 8 years ago, was nice then and a very good location
Afraid that i haven't spent much time in Honkers, usually just fly in and fly out or get very drunk with colleges and suffer amnesia the following day! , last stayed in the Marco Polo about 8 years ago, was nice then and a very good location
Honkers:
Nights out: either Wanchai or Lan Kwai Fong both have loads of pubs with music/live bands
Soho area (just above Lang Kwai Fong) has a host of small restaurants that are pretty good.
Take a trip to Macau (1 hour by ferry) to see glitz and glamour ala Vegas (casino's etc)
A trip to the Peak is a must too. had a nice restaurant next to it (not the Peak cafe) but not sure if still there.
From Central, take a ferry to Silvermine Bay (mui wo) on Lantau Island and then the bus to the Big Budda (the bus ride is better than any roller coaster going). On the way to the Big Budda, there is or used to be a restaurant run by a Saffer lady - food was fantastic and typical saffer food (BBQ) and was right on the beach. I think the village name was Tong fook.
As an alternative route to the Big Budda - take train to Tung Chung (next to the airport) and take the cable car to the Big Budda
Loads of night markets etc on the Kowloon side as well as restaurants/pubs/clubs etc
Damn, but I miss Hong Kong
There are loads of things to do, especially if you keep it "local" - some of the small restaurants (dai pai dongs) do awesome food.
I have no idea with respect to "fine dining".
many more if I can remember. Ask a few more questions and I hope I can remember more
Nights out: either Wanchai or Lan Kwai Fong both have loads of pubs with music/live bands
Soho area (just above Lang Kwai Fong) has a host of small restaurants that are pretty good.
Take a trip to Macau (1 hour by ferry) to see glitz and glamour ala Vegas (casino's etc)
A trip to the Peak is a must too. had a nice restaurant next to it (not the Peak cafe) but not sure if still there.
From Central, take a ferry to Silvermine Bay (mui wo) on Lantau Island and then the bus to the Big Budda (the bus ride is better than any roller coaster going). On the way to the Big Budda, there is or used to be a restaurant run by a Saffer lady - food was fantastic and typical saffer food (BBQ) and was right on the beach. I think the village name was Tong fook.
As an alternative route to the Big Budda - take train to Tung Chung (next to the airport) and take the cable car to the Big Budda
Loads of night markets etc on the Kowloon side as well as restaurants/pubs/clubs etc
Damn, but I miss Hong Kong
There are loads of things to do, especially if you keep it "local" - some of the small restaurants (dai pai dongs) do awesome food.
I have no idea with respect to "fine dining".
many more if I can remember. Ask a few more questions and I hope I can remember more
We went last year and loved it. Do the open top bus tour(recommended in any big city) first which is hop on hop off and a great way of getting your bearings.Do the peak,maybe the evening so you see day and night time.Generally we did a lot of walking about just taking it all in.I can't help with the restaurants as we never did anything that level of quality and expense.
I was researching Hong Kong last weekend for our trip there in September, Rob. I found this website pretty impressive with details of all the different districts, what to see and how to do it.
www.hongkongextras.com
It is also worth seeing if you can pop into SPS Automotive, the dealership with McLaren F1s, Zondas, CLK GTR race cars and such. It is in Kowloon near Kowloon Bay subway station
www.hongkongextras.com
It is also worth seeing if you can pop into SPS Automotive, the dealership with McLaren F1s, Zondas, CLK GTR race cars and such. It is in Kowloon near Kowloon Bay subway station
I live here! Been an expat for nearly 2 years now.
Fine dining wise - Caprice at the 4 seasons or Petrus at the Island Shangri La are amazing. The Ritz has a good restaurant and bar with fantastic views (its the highest hotel in the world, top 12 floors of the 4th tallest building in the world) looking over the harbor. You'll need to book though.
In general the food here is amazing so be ready to try small local places and the street food (octopus balls, hong kong waffles).
The traditional sunday family lunch is Dim Sum, loads of small plates of food that everyone shares. On a sunday you'll see the Dim Sum places packed with families covering 3 or 4 generations all eating together. My favorite dim sum place is Tsui Hang Village but it gets busy - best to get there about before 12 to get a seat.
If you want something a bit touristy, the jumbo kingdom is good. The food is quite nice and its on a huge lit-up floating junk.
The local food website is openrice.com, so its good to check out places before you eat. But be adventurous, there so much good asian food here hidden away on random floors of buildings.
For the touristy things, a lot has already been mentioned. The big bus tours are a great way to see the city and countryside.
The big buddha on lantau is good - get a crystal cabin on the cable car if you're not afraid of heights (glass bottom) and book your ticket in advance if you're going on a weekend as the queues can be big.
The peak is nice - they have the original funicular railway to go up and the views are great if its not too hazy. The Peak Lookout is a nice place to eat, and its lovely at night when its all lit up.
Hong Kong has the biggest light show in the world every night. The whole skyline puts on a light show to music. The best places to watch it are from the Avenue of Stars in trim sha tsui where they have speakers to play the music, or from a start ferry night cruise.
For expat drinks, Lan Kwai Fong is the main drinking area, loads of bars, loud music etc. There's a hotel here called Hotel LKF (has hard rock at the bottom) with a few good bars on it - Bisous for a speakeasy with dancing girls type place (though the dancing girls are not great), tazmania ballroom for pool and table tennis (yup, table tennis in a nightclub) and azure at the top. Azure has loud music and 2 small terraces but at midnight they open the roof terrace and its really nice up there, quite and a good view.
Wan Chai is slightly seedier but has some really good live music bars along with brothels. Dusk to Dawn in Wan Chai has my favorite house band playing at least one set every night. There's no good strip bars if you're planning on some adult entertainment with the new wife, they are the brothel variety. But if you ignore the hookers, there are some good bars - just avoid anywhere where the blokes are all expat and the women are all asian as these are the hooker bars.
Soho is the expat eating area, some nice places but a bit overpriced for what you get compared to local food places. I'd rather pay HK$200 each on an amazing hotpot in a local place than HK$800 each on a not so good italian. But its a safe bet if you just want something that takes no thought and doesn't run the risk of chickens feet.
Macau is nice as well for casinos but its very chinese and very gambling orientated (takes more money than Vegas) - its only HK$150 to get there by ferry (or HK$2000 for the helicopter). It's got some shows (a Cirqu de soleil for example) and some bars but its mainly about sucking money from chinese. If you're only here for a week I wouldn't really recommend it unless you really want to gamble. If you do, don't forget your passport as it is another country.
The time of year you're here is going to be hot. Very hot and humid, probably 35 degrees, 90-100% humidity so it shorts all the way and avoid clothes that show sweat! Also beware of the sun - even though the sky can look hazy you can burn, especially on top of a big bus tour so sunblock is a must. It's also in typhoon season, so you may see big thunderstorms. Normally they only come in in the evening or if it does rain you get a huge downpour for a few minutes then it brightens up.
Any more questions, PM me.
Fine dining wise - Caprice at the 4 seasons or Petrus at the Island Shangri La are amazing. The Ritz has a good restaurant and bar with fantastic views (its the highest hotel in the world, top 12 floors of the 4th tallest building in the world) looking over the harbor. You'll need to book though.
In general the food here is amazing so be ready to try small local places and the street food (octopus balls, hong kong waffles).
The traditional sunday family lunch is Dim Sum, loads of small plates of food that everyone shares. On a sunday you'll see the Dim Sum places packed with families covering 3 or 4 generations all eating together. My favorite dim sum place is Tsui Hang Village but it gets busy - best to get there about before 12 to get a seat.
If you want something a bit touristy, the jumbo kingdom is good. The food is quite nice and its on a huge lit-up floating junk.
The local food website is openrice.com, so its good to check out places before you eat. But be adventurous, there so much good asian food here hidden away on random floors of buildings.
For the touristy things, a lot has already been mentioned. The big bus tours are a great way to see the city and countryside.
The big buddha on lantau is good - get a crystal cabin on the cable car if you're not afraid of heights (glass bottom) and book your ticket in advance if you're going on a weekend as the queues can be big.
The peak is nice - they have the original funicular railway to go up and the views are great if its not too hazy. The Peak Lookout is a nice place to eat, and its lovely at night when its all lit up.
Hong Kong has the biggest light show in the world every night. The whole skyline puts on a light show to music. The best places to watch it are from the Avenue of Stars in trim sha tsui where they have speakers to play the music, or from a start ferry night cruise.
For expat drinks, Lan Kwai Fong is the main drinking area, loads of bars, loud music etc. There's a hotel here called Hotel LKF (has hard rock at the bottom) with a few good bars on it - Bisous for a speakeasy with dancing girls type place (though the dancing girls are not great), tazmania ballroom for pool and table tennis (yup, table tennis in a nightclub) and azure at the top. Azure has loud music and 2 small terraces but at midnight they open the roof terrace and its really nice up there, quite and a good view.
Wan Chai is slightly seedier but has some really good live music bars along with brothels. Dusk to Dawn in Wan Chai has my favorite house band playing at least one set every night. There's no good strip bars if you're planning on some adult entertainment with the new wife, they are the brothel variety. But if you ignore the hookers, there are some good bars - just avoid anywhere where the blokes are all expat and the women are all asian as these are the hooker bars.
Soho is the expat eating area, some nice places but a bit overpriced for what you get compared to local food places. I'd rather pay HK$200 each on an amazing hotpot in a local place than HK$800 each on a not so good italian. But its a safe bet if you just want something that takes no thought and doesn't run the risk of chickens feet.
Macau is nice as well for casinos but its very chinese and very gambling orientated (takes more money than Vegas) - its only HK$150 to get there by ferry (or HK$2000 for the helicopter). It's got some shows (a Cirqu de soleil for example) and some bars but its mainly about sucking money from chinese. If you're only here for a week I wouldn't really recommend it unless you really want to gamble. If you do, don't forget your passport as it is another country.
The time of year you're here is going to be hot. Very hot and humid, probably 35 degrees, 90-100% humidity so it shorts all the way and avoid clothes that show sweat! Also beware of the sun - even though the sky can look hazy you can burn, especially on top of a big bus tour so sunblock is a must. It's also in typhoon season, so you may see big thunderstorms. Normally they only come in in the evening or if it does rain you get a huge downpour for a few minutes then it brightens up.
Any more questions, PM me.
Also, hand made suits can be cheap and are not bad - they measure you up and send your measurements to china to be made on the cheap. You'll get a made to measure suit for less than 200 quid, 4 made to measure shirts for less than 100 etc.
Hong kong never really sleeps as well, so check out the temple street night market. Also be aware that the bars don't get busy till later - you'll go at 8 and it'll be dead but by midnight it gets busy. You can drink in Wan Chai or LKF all night - Insomnia only closes when the last person leaves and sometimes this is after other bars have reopened.
Hong kong never really sleeps as well, so check out the temple street night market. Also be aware that the bars don't get busy till later - you'll go at 8 and it'll be dead but by midnight it gets busy. You can drink in Wan Chai or LKF all night - Insomnia only closes when the last person leaves and sometimes this is after other bars have reopened.
ds bite, so wear mossie spray.It could get expensive!
Food - you wont find Chinese takeaway food here. Its more authentic - Fish still with the heads on, bones still in the chicken etc ; Dim sum (but avoid Sunday Lunchtime as its the busiest time). Lots of good local cafes. A hotel buffet lunch/dinner is worth trying. Lots of Thai, malaysian, Japanese places.
Watches - lots available, no waiting 6 months for a S/S Daytona. Its there in the window - Milguass, new Explorer etc. Lots of 2nd hand watch shops as well.
For shopping, head to Mongkok - its where the locals shop. Shops are conveniantly grouped together - there is a street full of trainer shops, one for cameras.
Enjoy yourself, one week is far too little time.
Food - you wont find Chinese takeaway food here. Its more authentic - Fish still with the heads on, bones still in the chicken etc ; Dim sum (but avoid Sunday Lunchtime as its the busiest time). Lots of good local cafes. A hotel buffet lunch/dinner is worth trying. Lots of Thai, malaysian, Japanese places.
Watches - lots available, no waiting 6 months for a S/S Daytona. Its there in the window - Milguass, new Explorer etc. Lots of 2nd hand watch shops as well.
For shopping, head to Mongkok - its where the locals shop. Shops are conveniantly grouped together - there is a street full of trainer shops, one for cameras.
Enjoy yourself, one week is far too little time.
It's been home to me for several years, and like Jimothy, I'd say you're in for a treat.
To mention a couple of points already raised;
Regarding the Saffer bar on the beach on Lantau, this is called The Stoep. It is on Cheung Sha beach, with an open front literally on the beach. The food is pretty good, grilled meats, mainly. The best thing about it is the al fresco atmosphere on a nice beach. I would recommend giving it a go, for a few sunset jars after going up to see the Big Buddha - possibly grab lunch in a sleepy fishing town called Mui Wo before. There are some al fresco bars and a cracking local food court there.
After dinner at Cheung Sha, just grab the 10 minute bus back to Mui Wo and get the ferry back to central, which runs every 30 minutes or so, 24 hours a day.
Regarding the Ritz Carlton restaurant, spectacular as it is, I think there are scores of restaurants serving better food. However, Ozone bar, on the 118th floor will rustle you up a nice cocktail with unbelievable views; you'll be looking 'down' on the most high-rise city on earth.
The peak is a must do. I take visitors up there on the bus. The ride is great, up through the leafy residential areas, and get the tram down. It's pretty steep, rickety, and generally makes you chuckle. There are a few restaurants there, fairly touristy, but I'd recommend Pearl on the Peak for a decent meal with an epic view. I won't recommend many specific restaurants for fine dining, as they are everywhere. All of the top hotels have Michelin-starred restaurants. You will burn some cash, though.
I love going to Wooloomooloo Prime, in Tsim Sha Tsui. It is on the 23rd floor of a building, with uninterrupted views of the skyline and light show. They also have a nice little outdoor balcony. Book ahead, to ensure a window seat. Great steak, wonderful location/ambience, and not too pricey. 3 course meal for two, with a beer each and bottle of wine cost us about 200 quid, a week back.
Obviously there are a great many casual eateries, around central/soho. Let me know what you're after, for recommendations. Street food is a must do, you'll find outdoor dining areas with a couple of shacks churning out great food. Just wonder around.
I reckon you need to go to the Happy Valley races, in Causeway Bay on a Wednesday night. It's a very short cab ride from central. I have no interest in horse racing, but that isn't why you go!
A few stops up in Kowloon is the market area. Temple Street is a good experience, and you'll find streets lined with local eateries, I recommend the spicy crab shacks. This is also the area to be picking up electronics and camera goods, if thats your thing.
For boozing, when you get on the escalator, you'll see it's lined with expat open-front bars. I love em. Then, if your facing up the hill, should you decide to turn left on any of the streets that the escalator crosses, that will take you past loads of boozers, in the general direction of Lan Kwai Fong. Wan Chai is a short cab ride in that direction, too. Fun, but pretty seedy.
If you have time, I'd take a bus to Stanley or Repulse Bay on the South Side of the island, it's a completely different feel, and very relaxing. There is a cracking Thai place down in Deepwater Bay on the water.
High Tea at the Penninsula Hotel is a wonderful colonial experience, and on that note, after wandering through Hong Kong Park, swing by Lok Cha tea house for a tea lesson. Great fun.
I hope that helps. Other than that, all I would say is just explore. If you don't mind spending time on foot, you'll find that Hong Kong is a very small place, with an abundance of everything crammed into it.
Please let me know if I can help any more.
To mention a couple of points already raised;
Regarding the Saffer bar on the beach on Lantau, this is called The Stoep. It is on Cheung Sha beach, with an open front literally on the beach. The food is pretty good, grilled meats, mainly. The best thing about it is the al fresco atmosphere on a nice beach. I would recommend giving it a go, for a few sunset jars after going up to see the Big Buddha - possibly grab lunch in a sleepy fishing town called Mui Wo before. There are some al fresco bars and a cracking local food court there.
After dinner at Cheung Sha, just grab the 10 minute bus back to Mui Wo and get the ferry back to central, which runs every 30 minutes or so, 24 hours a day.
Regarding the Ritz Carlton restaurant, spectacular as it is, I think there are scores of restaurants serving better food. However, Ozone bar, on the 118th floor will rustle you up a nice cocktail with unbelievable views; you'll be looking 'down' on the most high-rise city on earth.
The peak is a must do. I take visitors up there on the bus. The ride is great, up through the leafy residential areas, and get the tram down. It's pretty steep, rickety, and generally makes you chuckle. There are a few restaurants there, fairly touristy, but I'd recommend Pearl on the Peak for a decent meal with an epic view. I won't recommend many specific restaurants for fine dining, as they are everywhere. All of the top hotels have Michelin-starred restaurants. You will burn some cash, though.
I love going to Wooloomooloo Prime, in Tsim Sha Tsui. It is on the 23rd floor of a building, with uninterrupted views of the skyline and light show. They also have a nice little outdoor balcony. Book ahead, to ensure a window seat. Great steak, wonderful location/ambience, and not too pricey. 3 course meal for two, with a beer each and bottle of wine cost us about 200 quid, a week back.
Obviously there are a great many casual eateries, around central/soho. Let me know what you're after, for recommendations. Street food is a must do, you'll find outdoor dining areas with a couple of shacks churning out great food. Just wonder around.
I reckon you need to go to the Happy Valley races, in Causeway Bay on a Wednesday night. It's a very short cab ride from central. I have no interest in horse racing, but that isn't why you go!
A few stops up in Kowloon is the market area. Temple Street is a good experience, and you'll find streets lined with local eateries, I recommend the spicy crab shacks. This is also the area to be picking up electronics and camera goods, if thats your thing.
For boozing, when you get on the escalator, you'll see it's lined with expat open-front bars. I love em. Then, if your facing up the hill, should you decide to turn left on any of the streets that the escalator crosses, that will take you past loads of boozers, in the general direction of Lan Kwai Fong. Wan Chai is a short cab ride in that direction, too. Fun, but pretty seedy.
If you have time, I'd take a bus to Stanley or Repulse Bay on the South Side of the island, it's a completely different feel, and very relaxing. There is a cracking Thai place down in Deepwater Bay on the water.
High Tea at the Penninsula Hotel is a wonderful colonial experience, and on that note, after wandering through Hong Kong Park, swing by Lok Cha tea house for a tea lesson. Great fun.
I hope that helps. Other than that, all I would say is just explore. If you don't mind spending time on foot, you'll find that Hong Kong is a very small place, with an abundance of everything crammed into it.
Please let me know if I can help any more.
Fun Bus said:
ETOPS, thanks for the input - its appreciated. We've booked a table at Caprice one night for some fine dining but every other night will be much lower key!
Are the power sockets like we have in the UK or have I had a research fail?!
Nice! Never eaten there myself but heard good reports from guys who have. Not cheap if you go for the private dining room.Are the power sockets like we have in the UK or have I had a research fail?!
Plugs are the same as the UK ones. Same socket, voltage, everything.
Gassing Station | Asia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff