First time
 

I have been reading the other posts, and trying to get the expert advice on this. I will be with my wife on an overnight stopover in June 2014. We arrive Mon 425PM, and leave Tues 1125AM. Not too much time for much. At this point I will have the IC CC voucher, and was thinking to use there as some mentioned the in-hotel restaurant to be good. Just wondering if that is the case. If not any suggestions on dinner local to the hotel.

Also looking to possibly see some main sites if possible as not sure when we will be back. Was wondering about paying to have a driver to see these, or if train is better for short time. Not sure what there is to see, but looking for a few highlights. Any idea of cost involved to hire a driver for a few hours, if worthwhile in the evening to see places. Or even early AM to drive around.

I read mention of either train&taxi, or just taxi to the IC from airport. Can I ask how much to expect cost on this?

thanks for any advice on this.

Have a read around the forum, and make use of the search button and sticky's on the top. It will answer all the questions you have.

To get you off started:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...10-merged.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hong-...-feedback.html

(all $= HKD )

if you're connecting onto CX, you can checkin your bags at the airport even if you can't tag them through...

transportation to IC:
1) Train + taxi - aim for $160 for return/person (or $90 oneway) + $50 for taxi from Kowloon Station to IC, add $5 per piece of luggage.
2) Hotel Limo should set you back at least $700, and taxi to hotel would be $250 +$5/baggage

Dining @ IC: SPOON by Alain Ducasse should be good; and i dont remember anything special about the pool-side dining (food wise) but I like the fact that you're literally right next to the Harbour (if it doesn't rain)... Except if you decide to look at the construction site nearby...

Assuming you arrive 1625, you should be at the hotel by 1900. And since you are there, I'd suggest you making a reservations now at one of the restaurants of your choice at the hotel so you can see the lightshow by the harbour at 8 AND use your voucher.

Then get a ride (either a cab or a hotel limo) to the peak to see it from the vantage point at the other side of the harbour (you'll want to leave hotel at 2230 the latest for this). Cab should set you back $100-120 by the meter (+tolls from $20 to $65 depending which tunnel you use).
or, go to Ozone (at Ritz Carlton) to see HK from 118F (I dont like it, but some people do)

There are shopping mall with global brands near the hotel but i dont think you are particularly interested.

If you're sick of views you can go to Lady's Market or Public Square Street nearby at Yaomatei. Temple Street for local foods.

For the morning, cross over to Central for Dim Sum. Luk Yu Tea House and Lin Heung Tea House start at or before 6am. I would grab the bags then head to HK Station for the train to airport after Dim Sum.

SPOON is rather lame, but the Chinese restaurant at the IC is very fine. I'd go there instead.

oh yes.. i forgot about the chinese restau. it *IS* very fine there!

Third the Cantonese restaurant (YTH) at the IC, but we've only been for lunch, where the dim sum options lessen the total wallet stress. It is not inexpensive, look to spend well over HK$1k for two, and likely much, much more. There is a dinner buffet (I think) but HK is really about the Cantonese food for the casual visitor.

Having said that, HK is not short of amazing dining options, some of which can be very inexpensive. You can have a mind-blowing won-ton soup for $50, so I would prioritise what you and your wife want to get out of your stopover. If you want to forgo the sights in favour of some R&R and one blow-out meal, stick to the IC. If you want to see as much as possible, spending less time eating and more exploring might be an option. Having said that, you are basically looking at just one evening in HK, with a quick early morning the next day -- for which I would just do the star ferry there and back.

Have fun and do report back.

tb