TRAVEL
Originally published on Wednesday, 02 April 2008
Weekend Getaway - Hong Kong
Bag a business class bargain, and hit the shops in Hong Kong.
Everywhere you look lately, it’s all about China. The Liberty collection, the V&A’s China Design Now, the launch of Chanel’s ‘mobile’ art exhibition and the much anticipated Vuitton store in HK. Add that to the fact that the Chinese lanterns were just taken down on Oxford Street, and China is definitely in our thoughts.
Scarcely returned from our first Chinese New Year in Hong Kong, we thought it wasn’t too early to start planning next year’s festivities.
Why HK?
We’ve been doing Euro and NY weekend breaks for ages now. Time to go further afield. With the strength of the pound (knock on wood), and the now reasonable business class airfares, you can comfortably and affordably leave your desk on Thursday and be back, goods rich, for the Monday morning meeting.
Where to stay?
If you’ve never been, to orient yourself, there’s Hong Kong Island, where all the action lies, and Kowloon, where a lot of the shopping is. Stay on HK Island and you are in with the skyscrapers; whilst in Kowloon, you’re looking at them. Which is what we did, staying at the Langham to soak up the view.
About the hotel
Perfectly located for pretty much everything, the Langham is right in the heart of it. After the morning buffet (sometimes a bad thing, the Langham’s is excellent, with everything from western faves to traditional Chinese dishes like dim sum and fish soup), go out to play in the city’s madness and come back to a calming, luxurious environment, with a 24 hour gym and rooftop pool/jacuzzi.
Our room featured super-sized beds, built-in iPod docks, internet ease (hardwire and wi-fi), and nightly homemade chocolate delights (made on the premise) for an indulgent midnight snack. But the highlight really must be the bathroom, which has shutters that open into the main room. So much nicer than cold, revealing glass walls everywhere.
Eating in
Whilst there are a variety of restaurants in the hotel, we say don’t miss the renowned, award winning T'ang Court , serving innovative Cantonese cuisine and speciality menus. We dined on the pregnancy one; no one was pregnant, but as it was heavy on the collagen, which is supposed to be good for new mothers, and non-creators alike. We’d also recommend a piece of cheesecake (the size of a normal birthday cake) at the US-styled Main Street deli. It may not be Chinese, but you’re on holiday, and an indulgence is an indulgence.
Dining out
For evening culinary options, the trendy spots are too numerous to list (think Robuchon, Ducasse, and plenty of Starck designed interiors), but during the day, if you want to do it like the locals do, opt for a bit of street meat and you’ll be pleasantly surprised. You may want to stay away from the sea cucumbers though, or maybe that was just us.
Around town
If you’re only here for a weekend, make the most of it and plot your time carefully. Here’s our list of what you need to:
SEE a horserace (Happy Valley Racecourse ); the classic night skyscraper view, cocktail in hand (Aqua ); HK trendsters (Wyndham Street); the Soho district, with the longest outdoor urban elevator (only open during the day), and some thoroughly feng shuied architecture (Norman Foster’s were a highlight.)
CHECK OUT as many markets as possible; up and coming designers in Causaway Bay and a few super-designed super-malls (Lane Crawford /Harbour City ); the Peak (we say drive, as the queue for the tram was unsightly), and book in for lunch.
TRY some city golf ; the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour; and to make it to the beach.
At night
Lan Kwai Fung (LKF) is the main strip, but it seems to be a kind of ex-pat Hell, filled with tube-topped college girls dancing to Bon Jovi. Look hard enough and there are certainly a few gems here, but the street over is fast becoming the choicer option, with Wagyu beef (only) restaurants ( Wagyu , 3, G/F, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central. Tel 2525 8805) and plenty of club queues (Dragon Eye seems to be consistently pretty good).
We say search out the local hotspots (if you are staying at a good hotel, ask the concierge for a timely recommendation, as these change frequently), and if you don’t have an ‘in’ make like you do in Vegas and Miami: book a table for dinner at a top haunt, and wait until dinner turns to dancing, and enjoy the ride. Note that the scruffy look will not do here. The crowd is über-groomed and designer clad, so pack appropriately. Or get yourself sorted at a market for the weekend.
Out of town
Hop Skip and a Jump
If gaming is your thing, as it’s only a ferry-ride away you could consider going to Macau, the gambling mecca. Our local spy warns, however, not to expect Vegas-style entertainment even though there is a Wynn here and a Venetian, to name but a few. This is a gambling-only town, so trump up.
Short haul away
An easy option is renting a house in Bali. This gem sleeps eight, and comes with four staff to satisfy your every need. Bliss.
And the CNY, should you want to consider for next year:
The first thing to realise is that this is not a party, so to speak. No silly hats, no big parties, and definitely no puking. This is a family affair, layered in fireworks and tradition. We loved the dragon dancing (quite the skill), the flower market and the fireworks from up high (a birds eye view from Isola at the IFC mall is a good option).
We didn’t love the palm reading (a New Year’s day tradition). Wish they had told us that in HK, you go to a palm reader to see what’s wrong with you. Not to find out what fabulous fortunes are ahead. Should you opt in, prepare for depression.
Getting there
If you can do it, splurge for Business class on a haul as long as this, and if you want to indulge but not bankrupt yourself, Oasis should be your only option. Now, as much as we loved MAXjet airlines (RIP), it has to be said that it made us extremely uneasy to see it half-empty the last few times we took it (the footprint; the cashflow!). Which is why we were happy to see Oasis, on the day we flew, packed to the gills.
We have a good feeling about this new business model: reasonable business class (and that’s real business class, not ‘premium economy’) mixed in with economy, and service that couldn’t have been better. We always love any good entrepreneurial venture, and the team behind Oasis seem to be a serial, successful bunch.
The express check-in and business lounge are a bonus, and they’ve also just launched a new pre-boarding menu, which looks good. Up in the air, it’s all personable service, plenty of legroom, reclining chairs (almost flatbed), separate desks with curtains so you don’t disturb the person sitting next to you, and extra storage space below the windows for all those gadgets that you don’t want to put in the stowaway, but don’t want to hold on your lap for 12 hours. Free champers, too, is never a bad thing.
For more information on Hong Kong, visit www.discoverhongkong.com
To book a trip to Hong Kong on Oasis visit www.oasishongkong.com
And a special thanks to Carole, Joe, Kate, Winnie, Lydia, Steve, Oasis Airlines, the Langham hotel, Hong Kong Tourism Board and our local mole, Craig H.