JJeffrey

Personally I would not consider Hua Hin either. The Hilton there is nice enough, service is good as with most places in Thailand, and the lounge is fine, but overall the hotel is nowhere close to the level of the Conrad in HKG or even the Conrad in Bangkok. Overrun with package tourists as well, the pool chairs are crammed so close together you can hardly fit between. And the beach by the Hilton was crap.

AleEat

Wow, that bad? Could you elaborate? I have a two night stay booked next month - should I rethink it?

evergrn

@Kacee
@JJeffrey

Thanks. Hua Hin is out then, given the lukewarm reviews on the beach and the Hilton and the difficulty of getting there.
Conrad Samui is more expensive than Conrad HKG, and so is the airfare.
Phuket is out, since same price as HKG. Doesn't seem like Bangkok will work out either.

Another place I'm considering as alternative to HKG is Bali. For family pool/beach/relaxation, Hilton > Conrad at Bali, correct?
Only thing is, Bali will not be cheap. Air + hotel ($4350) will only be $500 cheaper total than going to HKG Conrad.

@craigthemif
I have thought about staying a couple nights at Conrad Macau in order to reduce the cost of our HKG trip. You think it's a perfectly acceptable place to take kids, even for conservative parents like us? For reference, I go to Vegas sometimes for conference and I realize there are some family attractions there, but I personally would never take my kids to Vegas. I have not been to Macau in a while, not since our kids were born.

Baze

I wouldn't fixate so much on not going somewhere just because it is not significantly cheaper than Hong Kong. It is always fun to see new places and who knows, you could find a place that is comparable to Hong Kong price wise that you like better or is different enough you rotate where you go for the same price.

seaskybound

Macau is a very good idea. Though you could day trip from HKG....

it is between Vegas and HKG so should be fine (for example while the casino floors are huge, they are less partying. More quiet gambling. Dont recall any gambling outside casino floors e.g. video poker at every shop). Most casino floors you need to go via a guard onlike vegas

highly recommend the bunjy jump from macao tower based on kids age.

I love HKG so much but recommend a change

escape4

[QUOTE=Srisarin;29429582]

alanslegal

Throwing out another idea at you, is the Hilton Millenium Bangkok. You can hole up in your hotel room, enjoy the river views, it has a decent pool, again, overlooking the river.

As its on the river, you can catch the public ferries up and down the river (for example, Asiatique might be a place where you could dine out / do a bit of shopping which is not too far away).

evergrn

Like most FTers, I enjoy hunting for deals and looking for ways to enjoy upgrades and luxury for less. Unlike most FTers, though, I hate researching and planning trips to places I haven't been. The concept of going to new places stresses me out, even though I usually end up enjoying it in in the end. And most of my vacations are relatively short. So I need my vacation time to be as stress-free as possible. I wasn't always this way, but I've just become this way over the years. Went to Singapore a couple years ago, which was the first new country I've visited in probably over a decade. Really loved Singapore, but there was too much research involved both before and during the trip. A lot of this is due to my quirks unfortunately. We're just really comfortable with HKG, and it's my favorite city. We also want a luxurious Hilton vacation with lounge access. Only thing that would entice me to go elsewhere is substantial cost savings, like $1000 or more total.


Thanks for the insight. If we end up doing HKG, I think for sure we will do a couple nights in Macau to save $. Conrad Macau saves us at least 1000HKD per night over Conrad HKG, which ends up being ~$250USD over 2 nights.

evergrn

I saw different photos and even Youtube clips of the pool at Hilton Millenium. The pool area looks very nice and unique (reminds me of Sheraton Waikiki... stayed there in my pre-Hhonors days), but it also looks like it's geared more towards adults with limited area to actually swim and splash around in for kids. Can you comment on the child-friendliness and swimability? Also, is there a jacuzzi? The sand area look really cool.. Of note, the similar-looking pool area at Sheraton Waikiki (infinity pool with lounge chairs in the water) is adults-only and not many people actually swim there (they wade instead).

Conrad HKG's pool is quite large and works out great, as long as it's not windy.

restlessinRNO

I would disagree. I have enjoyed stays at both the Conrad Bangkok and the Hilton Bangkok Sukhumvit.

G-ARVE

+1. You ought to consider both the Conrad and Millennium Hilton though Conrad's pool is far superior.

Conrad Bali was mentioned somewhere, one of my favourite Conrad properties, I would strongly recommend you consider. It is a resort style with huge grounds and pool. Or more accurately 'pools' as there is more than one.

Kacee

Bali might be a better choice for you than Bangkok. I love visiting Thailand but I don't think Bangkok matches Hong Kong as an urban destination, especially if you're limited to Hilton properties.

I will share a different perspective on Macau. I hated it. The ferry from Hong Kong is a hassle, particularly since you have to clear immigration both directions. It was total chaos at both ends when I went. Macau has a pretty restored historic center, but it's otherwise something of a pit compared to Hong Kong. Cabs are expensive and scarce.

thbe

The InterContinental Pattaya is better only if you travel with kids. But I still wouldn't recommend to go there with kids. That hotel doesn't even have a beach.

I agree with Kacee, that Hua Hin and Koh Samui are much better places to go with kids. To Hua Hin, you don't need to fly, you can go by limousine from BKK. Both, Hilton/Conrad and InterContinental have nice hotels at both places. For me, I would rank 1. Conrad Samui, 2. IC Samui, 3. IC Hua Hin, 4. Hilton Hua Hin.

On the other hand: If someone really loves the Conrad HKG so much and he has the coice, he should stay there as often as he can.

evergrn

I was seriously considering Hilton Bali Resort. But then a lot of people on the Internet are saying that Bali is more of a place for sightseeing whereas Thailand is better for relaxing at the beach.

Are cabs that scarce in Macau? It's been a while since I was in Macau, but I don't remember major issues with immigration. Then again, maybe I'm just not remembering. If we go to HKG, then I think we'll still have to do a couple nights at Macau Conrad unless Conrad HKG rates manage to come down below 25000HKG/night (unlikely). Anyways it'd be good to check out another Conrad for the first time, and we'll probably be holed up in the hotel >80% of the time anyways.

Thanks. But as I said upthread, Conrad Samui is too expensive and Hua Hin just doesn't work in terms of transport/access (I can't deal with 2-3hr taxi ride).

I would totally go to Phuket and veg out at the beach/pool, if the total costs were less and people had nicer things to say about the Hilton there. If Bangkok, then it seems like I should go with Conrad over Milennium at this point based on everything else that I've read (Waldorf Astoria too expensive), but then I'm leaning away from Bangkok at this point. I need to make up my mind soon.

PaulH1

If you are looking to visit Hong Kong but want value and want to relax I would recommend you split your break up between Conrad Hong Kong and Conrad Macau which will save money and give you a change of scenery.

You can enjoy the bustle of Hong Kong then move to Macau to unwind and chill in style.