I'm going to HK for a few days in October. Isn't that the high season?

On previous (business) trips, I've stayed at the JW Marriott in Central (Pacific Place). On the Marriott website, it's about US$270 per night. Kinda pricey for a Marriott.

Do you fellow FT'ers have any hotel recommendations? I don't mind spending the $$$, but if I'm going to spend $300 a night, I want something a little nicer than the Marriott. Of course, if there's a way to have some luxury withOUT spending $300 a night, then I'm up for that also.

Thanks in advance for any help.

As you will have noticed, next to the Marriott are the Conrad and the Shangri-La. The Marriott I would rate at 4*, the Conrad at 5* and the Sh-La at 6*. I would imagine that they all have very good deals at the moment. There are also lots of local agents who do deep discount rates for all the hotels, although generally only bookable a month or 2 before.

If you go for the Sh-La, before booking join their free Golden Circle club which gets you free breakfasts and local calls and a chance of a better room: all at no cost !

You could also try the Mandarin which has a lot of cachet but is rather tired. I personallly do not stay there for that reason although the locastion is fantastic.

Personally I would go for the Sh-La any time. It is also worth checking back on the website from time to time to see if they have reduced the rate. If so you can cancel and re-book.

Finally if you are flying in on Cathay they sometimes have good hotel rates they can offer.

For the evenings of Oct 11-14, the Peninsula has a rate of HK$2,075. That's a great rate and comes to about US$270.

On the Hong Kong side, the Mandarin Oriental has a rate of HK$1,799.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by auggie doggie:
Kinda pricey for a Marriott.

Do you fellow FT'ers have any hotel recommendations? I don't mind spending the $$$, but if I'm going to spend $300 a night, I want something a little nicer than the Marriott.</font>If you have the money to spend there really is only one choice for best hotel in Hong Kong: the Peninsula. It even has a helipad on the roof for those who think arriving in the hotel Rolls isn't enough. Maybe the best hotel in the world (certainly close enough to try). Even if you don't stay there visit Felix (the bar/restaurant on the top floor, hang out at the bar and be sure to visit their men's room). But staying there is money well spent, and this year their prices have plummeted.

I wholeheartedly second the Peninsula. See if you can get a harbourview high room (I doubt). Go to the Felix bar, get a drink; and use the men's room - http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

I second the opinions for those who mentioned the Peninsula. If you plan on spending that type of money and want to stay on Kowloon Island, stay at the Peninsula. The Felix bar has a spectalor view of HK island. On the HK Island, the Mandarin Oriental in the heart of Central is the place to go. If you have a craving for pan asian-fusion, try Aqua on Hollywood Road, just south of Lan Kwai Fong.

If you do stay at the Peninsula, please do take advantage of this promotion they are running until 11 December 2003:

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">75 YEARS OF BON APPETIT
“75 For 75”
- The Peninsula’s New Programme
For Wining, Dining & Shopping


As part of the ongoing 75th anniversary, The Peninsula Hong Kong is introducing “75 for 75” in all restaurants, The Peninsula Boutiques and for all catered events.

Valid from 1st May to 11th December 2003, customers pay only 75% of the menu prices on all food and beverage in any of The Peninsula’s seven award-winning restaurants (Spring Moon Chinese restaurant, Felix, Gaddi’s, Chesa Swiss restaurant, The Lobby, The Verandah and Imasa), bars, all events and functions booked through the Catering Department and items from The Peninsula Boutiques located at the hotel and The Landmark.

The Peninsula has long been a favourite location for high-level business meetings, banquets and weddings, and “75 for 75” is also applicable for functions and events booked through the hotel’s Catering Department and taking place before 11th December 2003. The price reduction will also be applied to functions and events already booked to be held before 11th December 2003.
</font>

Even if you are staying elsewhere, I recommend having a meal at one of the restaurants at the Peninsula.

My uncle thinks Gaddi's is awesome. I tried the Verandah which is ok (service was phenomenal and is in a different league from the Chicago property). Felix is a unique experience.

[This message has been edited by francophile (edited 06-24-2003).]

Thanks for the replies.

I've read about The Peninsula previously, but never really knew if it was REALLY that great. But based on the comments, I think I have to give it a try.

Does anyone know whether the base rate would cover use of the fitness center?

I may buy a more expensive package that covers things like that and breakfast if it's an option.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gemini573:
...Kowloon Island...</font>

Oh, my. Is this part of the Disneyland project?

The Peninsula prices are incredible now! I just booked for HKD 1800 a 500 sq. ft. room (admittedly one of their smaller rooms, but qualifies to be a 3 bedroom apt in HK) and they include breakfast, tea, fruit basket, gift and who knows what else to sweeten the deal (not sure if it include the Rolls pickup at the airport, but I'm arriving in BA F and BA is including a limo, presumably to compete with Virgin). Not often that the best hotel in the wold is going for half price all year.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by auggie doggie:
Does anyone know whether the base rate would cover use of the fitness center?
</font>The fitness center is included (massages are extra and well worth it). The hotel pool and spa is closed (all pools are closed in Hong Kong now, for obvious reasons). The spa is on the 7th/8th floors of the hotel and worth a visit even if you don't work out. The pool is gorgeous and there are gardens (sundeck) available, presumably those remain open even if the pool is closed. I'd imagine that by October it would be open again.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by number_6:
(all pools are closed in Hong Kong now, for obvious reasons)</font>

That's simply not true. All the public swimming pools reopened at least two weeks weeks ago, as did the pool at my apartment complex. I can't speak for the hotels, but there is no reason for their pools to be closed.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by christep:
...I can't speak for the hotels, but there is no reason for their pools to be closed...</font>

Was in HK end of May. Pools at the Pacific Place hotels (Conrad, JW Marriott, Island Shangri-La) were open as usual.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by number_6:
...I just booked for HKD 1800 a 500 sq. ft. room...include breakfast, tea, fruit basket, gift...</font>

How and where did you get this rate? I cannot seem to price it out online. Perhaps calling/e-mailing the hotel directly? Or is this one of those HK resident discounts?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by number_6:
The Peninsula prices are incredible now! I just booked for HKD 1800 a 500 sq. ft. room .............</font>

I could not find this price anywhere on the site ? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jkc22:
How and where did you get this rate?
</font>booked on http://www.expedia.com
As for the pool being closed, my booking confirmation stated that the pool is closed (but terrace is open). Glad to hear that this is obsolete info as the Peninsula pool is quite nice and uncrowded unlike other hotels. The rate is still available (USD 226), description is "Package Advance Sale Rate Book 3 Days in Advance Welcome Tea and Fruit Newspaper Superior City View With King Bed Dataport Fax Desk 2 Line Phones Voice Mail 41 Sqm/456 Sqft Safe Mini Bar Hair Dryer Separate Bath/Shower [Promotional rate]".

My absolute favorite hotel there is the Intercontinental (formerly the Regent). The view and outdoor area are wonderful. You can get in the hotel at about $200 US, more for a harbor view room.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JNelson113:
My absolute favorite hotel there is the Intercontinental (formerly the Regent). The view and outdoor area are wonderful. You can get in the hotel at about $200 US, more for a harbor view room.</font>
The Regent was quite nice, and I still like to eat at Yu. But the hotel has not quite managed to stay as the Regent while an IC. As for the rates, someone I know has corp. rate of USD 125 here (and this was before SARS) -- a great rate, and reflecting the problems that the IC has had in retaining the Regent business. They did make an attempt to keep the staff and maintain the Regent style; I stay across the street (where the view is better) and just eat there. It is still a wonderful hotel.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by number_6:
I stay across the street (where the view is better)...</font>

I'm confused. Are you saying that the view from the White hotel is better than
the view from the Red hotel?

I'd have thought the Red has the undisputedly superior views, regardless of
any other differences and comparisons between the two.

[Edited to try to improve readability without needing to scroll.

[This message has been edited by wideman (edited 06-22-2003).]

Higher. And the telescopes have a splendid view of the IC's pool.

The telescopes, of course, the telescopes.

Conrad has rooms for about 1300 HKD per night (at least for next weekend). They upgraded me to top floor last time.

Not sure how it compares to Peninsula but I was very pleased with location, view, staff and executive lounge.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BlondeBomber:
Conrad has rooms for about 1300 HKD per night (at least for next weekend). They upgraded me to top floor last time.

Not sure how it compares to Peninsula but I was very pleased with location, view, staff and executive lounge.</font>Conrad is very good, but it really doesn't compare to the Peninsula. I would gladly pay double or even triple for the Pen and consider it a bargain.

I'm looking forward to a visit this fall with 3 days at the Pen, 3 at the Conrad. It's my first stay at the Pen (thanks to #6 for the tip on semi-affordable prices) -- I'd have willingly paid 20 times what I'm paying at the Conrad, as the latter's an award stay. A compare/contrast report will be delivered.

The best deals I found for the Pen were on Expedia and the Leading Hotels (http://www.lhw.com) web site.