Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Hotel Broker in Hong Kong

I need a hotel in Central in about 10 days and I can not believe the rates my PA quoted me.

I normally stay at the Pen, but I have a need to stay in Central so she checked the MO, Island Shanghai-La, Ritz and Grand Hyatt - none showed anything other than normal discounts.

It just offends me paying the going rates when the hotels are 80% empty - does anyone have a good broker in Hong Kong??

antony@regency-reservations.com
Tony Slack

http://www.hotelshongkong.com/

or

harbourscene@on-nets.com
E-mail Address(es):
harbourscene@on-nets.com
Personal Information:
Address:
Harbourscene Tour Service Ltd.
Rm505-506 Opulent Bldg., 402-406 Hennessy Road Wan Chai Hong Kong
Tel : +852 2834-2662
Fax: +852 2834-2319
E-mail : harbourscene@on-nets.com


Neither of these two TA's / groups have rates that yield miles / points at any hotel. Great rates just no points.

I also noticed the Sheraton was quoting regular rates on the web and contacted the hotel directly via email. They offered lower rates than those available on spg.com.

I also find it kind of absurb with the whole sars thing and the hotels still charging so much here...

but the hotels still have their usual minimum operating costs they have to cover.. like electricity for the room, water, laundry, etc... so not sure really how cheap they can go... have you tried priceline though? I was thinking that maybe they have some really low rates there...

http://www.hotelclub.net/directcity.asp?id=142

http://www.ratestogo.com/SearchResults.asp?cityid=142&showall=1

I'm open to offers for my spare room http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Its not at the Metropole is it?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by christep:
I'm open to offers for my spare room http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

I have a better idea - you book the HK resident rate at the MO ($888), I use the room and I spend the $1,000 saved on a great bottle of wine we share!

http://www.asiatravel.com/hongkong.html
here's another one

B Watson, better ask your PA to call the hotels directly where you want to stay.

The hotels are offering discounts, upgrades, and special deals that are not reflected through the central reservations line (ie 1-800 numbers) in the US or anywhere else. Travellers know that the best deals can be had by calling direct and basically 'asking what they can offer for 10 nights'. The hotels know that you may be shopping, but effectively, will want to win your business during these dire times.

And yes, miles and points will be offered for your stay.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Guy Betsy:
B Watson, better ask your PA to call the hotels directly where you want to stay.

</font>

That is the basic plan at this point - it is usually the option that generates the best results

For those of you who travel to HK regularly, do you think that calling the Peninsula would get a lower rate than whats on their web site? Do they discount at all? I'd like to stay there but I'm having trouble justifying the $300+/night when I'm sure that similar properties have rates in the $1-200 range...especially given the SARS situation. Any recommendations for other options; this is a honeymoon trip so we're looking for central location/luxury.

BTW, this trip is planned for late May and we will be going as long as CX is still flying...SARS be ****ed!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by AvMax8:
For those of you who travel to HK regularly, do you think that calling the Peninsula would get a lower rate than whats on their web site?</font>The Pen is worth USD 300 a night (really!) but I suspect you will be very well treated if you book now. Rather than dropping the rate, negotiate to get a better room (they have some very nice rooms, but they run USD 1000 normally). Just tell them it is for a honeymoon, and instead of talking price ask what they can do to make it special -- I think you will be pleased. You'll get a ten-fold return on your investment with any luck. Peninsula really is one of the best hotels in the world, and better than anything else in Hong Kong (albeit the competition is very stiff).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by AvMax8:
I'd like to stay there but I'm having trouble justifying the $300+/night when I'm sure that similar properties have rates in the $1-200 range</font>

which hotels are similar to the peninsula that are $1-200 per night?

After checking on some of the websites listed above it seemed like a number of hotels (Island Shangri-La, etc.) had rates starting at $1000 HKD and going up from there. As I mentioned, I've never been to the Pen so when I say similar I was refering to location, amenities, room size, etc. and not personal experience.

the Peninsula announced locally it was using the downturn to refurbish some of its rooms so it might not be the best choice at present. In Hong kong you are spoilt for 6 star hotels which include the Grand Hyatt, the Intercon (formerly the Regent) and the Kowloon Shangrila.
How many hours do you spend in a hotel room anyway ?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Marco Polo:
the Peninsula announced locally it was using the downturn to refurbish some of its rooms so it might not be the best choice at present. In Hong kong you are spoilt for 6 star hotels which include the Grand Hyatt, the Intercon (formerly the Regent) and the Kowloon Shangrila.
How many hours do you spend in a hotel room anyway ?</font>

I received the following e-mail in Feburary from a reservation in August:

"Please be advised that we will be remodeling the guestrooms of a particular section of the main building. The work will take place during daytime between 9am to 5pm. Kindly be assured that all rooms within the vicinity that may be affected by noise or dust will be cordoned off and not sold. We shall assign you room that are unaffected by the renovation.

All general hotel facilities i.e. restaurants, swimming pool, gym etc are unaffected by the renovation.

Thank you for understanding and we look forward to welcoming you to The Peninsula."

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by number_6:
]The Pen is worth USD 300 a night (really!) but I suspect you will be very well treated if you book now. Rather than dropping the rate, negotiate to get a better room (they have some very nice rooms, but they run USD 1000 normally). Just tell them it is for a honeymoon, and instead of talking price ask what they can do to make it special -- I think you will be pleased. You'll get a ten-fold return on your investment with any luck. Peninsula really is one of the best hotels in the world, and better than anything else in Hong Kong (albeit the competition is very stiff).</font>

First - the Pen is worth every dollar every time -I am in Hong Kong at least once a month and stay 85% of the time at the Pen - the ONLY time I go to Central is when I have a VERY quick turnaround and don't want to be on the wrong side of the harbor for business - I regularly pay a LOT more for a LOT less at a LOT of hotels.

Re discounts beyond what is on the web - it will NOT happen at the Pen - they focus on keeping average rate up. In general at most hotels anywhere always the best deal you can get is to pay the official rate and extract upgrades, F and B credits, etc.

I have no doubt this will be VERY successful at the Pen - you really should not even consider any other hotel in HK for your trip. Also, be sure to arrange an airport pickup from them - a nice service that makes arrivals and departures that much easier - plus the nice Rolls Royce with cold towels are usually just what the doctor ordered after a long flight.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Marco Polo:
In Hong kong you are spoilt for 6 star hotels which include the Grand Hyatt, the Intercon (formerly the Regent) and the Kowloon Shangrila.
</font>

That would sure not be my list of top hotels in Hong Kong http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I have a reservation for an Executive Harbour View Suite in the Tower at the Pen (corporate rate).

What are my changes of getting an upgrade to a Deluxe Harbour View Suite (if a lot of them go unoccupied and the SARS thing is still around)?

It will be my first time staying at the Pen, but I have stayed at other "Leading Hotels of the World" before (but not enough to be a "Leaders Club" member) and sometimes got automatically upgraded to the next suite category upon check-in.



[This message has been edited by daniellam (edited 04-20-2003).]

As an aside, if you are superstitious, avoid MO. Some superstar recently jumpped down from that hotel to his death, I would say it's bad luck.

Of course, if you don't care, by all means http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by fakecd (edited 04-20-2003).]

I guess that the Regent (now Intercon) has indeed slipped

Hotel Intercontinental HKG
Condé Nast Traveler (USA) 2001
Gold List, Top Hotel in Hong Kong: #1
Top Asian Hotels: #4

Zagat Survey (USA) 2001
Guide to the Top International Hotels, Resorts and Spas
Top 100 Hotels: #7, Best in Hong Kong: #1

Travel & Leisure (USA) 2003
500 Greats Hotels in the World: #3 in Hong Kong and China


Conde Naste Gold List 2003 - Hong Kong
The Peninsula, 95.8 overall
Hotel InterContinental, 92.6 overall
Island Shangri-La, 90.8 overall
Mandarin Oriental, 90.7 overall
Ritz-Carlton, 88.7 overall
Kowloon Shangri-La, 87.7 overall
Conrad, 85.5 overall
JW Marriott Hotel, 85.0 overall
Grand Hyatt, 82.4 overall

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Marco Polo:
I guess that the Regent (now Intercon) has indeed slipped

Hotel Intercontinental HKG
Condé Nast Traveler (USA) 2001
Gold List, Top Hotel in Hong Kong: #1
Top Asian Hotels: #4

Zagat Survey (USA) 2001
Guide to the Top International Hotels, Resorts and Spas
Top 100 Hotels: #7, Best in Hong Kong: #1

Travel & Leisure (USA) 2003
500 Greats Hotels in the World: #3 in Hong Kong and China


Conde Naste Gold List 2003 - Hong Kong
The Peninsula, 95.8 overall
Hotel InterContinental, 92.6 overall
Island Shangri-La, 90.8 overall
Mandarin Oriental, 90.7 overall
Ritz-Carlton, 88.7 overall
Kowloon Shangri-La, 87.7 overall
Conrad, 85.5 overall
JW Marriott Hotel, 85.0 overall
Grand Hyatt, 82.4 overall

</font>

I tend to rely on my own experiences rather than lists - the Marriott being ranked an 85 is a fine example of how worthless these lists are - it is one of the few hotels I have walked out of after checking in - I made the foolish mistake to stay there since I was attending a meeting in the hotel.