rstlsgirl

I'm on my way to HKG for a conference and after a 15.5 hr flight into a country I know nothing about, I'd like to make the transfer to my hotel is easy as possible. CCS offers a "VIP" service to meet you at the gate, shuttle you through immigration and get your bags to a car to get you to your hotel. Has anybody used it? (I saw this question asked in 2012 with no replies, but if there is another thread, please just point me to it.)

Thanks!

moondog

Where are you staying? Assuming hk you should check out that forum.

rstlsgirl

Thanks, Moondog. Yes, staying in HK. I'll check the forum

moondog

Here are two threads of relevance from there:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hong-...-transfer.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hong-...transport.html

FWIW, my opinion is the same as pretty much every poster who replied to these threads: take the AEX unless your hotel is way off the beaten path (unlikely in your case).

MSPeconomist

I'd say take the airport express train, but if you're staying at the W or RC over Kowloon station, you can arrange to have a hotel bell person meet you at the train and take your luggage to the hotel. OTOH, if you're staying at the Peninsula or similar, IME taking their car service is very nice and is likely to result in an assistant manager or similar meeting your vehicle at the curb with a VIP checkin experience. So the treatment can have value beyond the airport transportation you require. In fact, I suspect that arranging the hotel car service can result in a nicer room, etc., but that's just my theory on this.

If you're a relatively inexperienced international traveler, the driving practices of taxis can be initially scary, although you don't really need to worry much about safety or being ripped off in Hong Kong.

moondog

The aex is so easy that even advise my mom to use it.

rstlsgirl

You guys are quite helpful - thanks. I wouldn't call myself an inexperienced int'l traveler, but this will be my first trip to Asia. My only reluctance on taking aex is that I will definitely not be traveling light (9 days, mostly for a conference). I've taken my steamer trunk of a suitcase on to trains before and it isn't pleasant!

I'm staying at the Gloucester Luk Wok close to the Convention Center, BTW.

Now that I have your attention, though, can you list any other good threads that will help me navigate the culture and the food in HK? Europe I can do just fine, but in Asia I'm out of my depth. Thanks!

tentseller

From baggage claim to AEx and AEx HK station to the hotel shuttle or Taxi stand are all on the same level, no stairs. It is virtually roll on and roll off.

BTW do you mean Luk Kwok hotel? They have bellman at the entrance that will take your bags and deliver them to your room once you are checked in.

Since you have not been to Asia be prepare to be amazed by HK efficiency.

moondog

You should stay at the gh. Msg me about this (posting details here is taboo).

rstlsgirl

If anyone ever happens to check this thread again, I thought I better post an update that my experience with China Car Service was perfect. Escort from the gate to baggage claim through immigration and into the car that whisked me directly to my hotel. After 18 hours on a plane, it was perfect. Recommend it highly.

Onboardnow

Avoid the company China Car Service! I learned my lesson the hard way. I ordered an airport pickup with the premium service "Meet and Greet Arrival Service." I agreed to a price that was all inclusive. It was much higher than other car pickup services, but I figured it was worth it for the additional service and comfort it would provide. When I arrived in China there was no greeter we waited by the plane but eventually gave up and made our way through the airport on our own, hoping we would eventually find our greeter. We didn't find anyone until we met our driver outside where all other drivers were. I was frustrated and requested a credit for the service not provided. They have been very resistant. I used another car service on my next arrivals for less than half the cost of China Car Service. They seem to be running a scam. Avoid China Car Service!

moondog

A scam? Because they didn't meet you at the plane? Did they advertise that they would meet you at the plane? Other than CITIC and a few other similarly connected companies, I don't know of any car services that offer such a service. The vast majority of greeters wait outside of arrivals with signs. Larger services often have separate greeters and drivers (greeter greets, and driver pulls up to curb... so you don't need to walk through the parking structure). This perk is worth a few extra bucks IMO, but the parking garage walk isn't the end of the world (i.e. beats waiting in a taxi queue for more than 5 minutes).

Sunshinekk

Me and my husband used China Car service during our last trip in HK. We also used Meet and Greet service with a driver. First, their staff met us at the gate and followed through the immigration. Btw, we were short on time so we used Fast Track too, it was really smooth and fast. Then the escort followed us to the car where our driver was waiting for us. We are very pleased with the service! My husband is planning to use them again, they have service in Shanghai too.