walking from The Conrad to the MO
 

does anyone know how far the Conrad and Mandirian Oriental (MO) are from one another?

Taking a cab is not an option

Not very far. Go through the mall towards Admiralty MTR, but on the upper level. Enter the elevated walkway across Queen's Road (by the restaurant area in the mall) into the Queensway mall. Turn left in the mall, walk all the way through the two buildings and into the elevated walkway between the Bank of America tower and Fairmont House (Fairmont House on the left, BofA on the right). Make a right towards Hutchinson House and go to street level right by the Alain Figaret store. On your right you'll pass the AIG Tower, the RC, and the HK Club. Straight ahead across the Cenotaph is the MO. You should be able to see it as soon as you come to the end of the elevated walkway.

In total, probably no more than 15 minutes walk.

Thank You very much, I can now go book The Conrad (using an AXON) of cause. An AXON means 4 nights at any Hilton up to and including a Cat6 for 125k instead of 160k. Being a Diamond I dont foresee any problems especially during the Low Season.

Any good places to get some White shirts custom made, that arent very expensive yet still good quality

As Pickles says. Just to be clear though, that is to the "old" Mandarin Oriental. Just in case you meant the Landmark Mandarin Oriental, that is even closer: just turn left out of Pacific Place onto Queensway at street level, and basically walk straight on. Cross over Queen's Road by the big HSBC building, and continue along Queen's Road on the other side. Across one more junction and the LMO is on your right. No more than 10 minutes walk.

I think we'd need your definition of "not very expensive". You can pay anything from HK$100 to HK$2000+ for a tailor-made shirt here.

Suffice to say I used to (they dont make my size for a couple of yrs now) get my Perry Ellis shirts at Marshalls, TJMax or Syms and paid for 100% cotton max of $25.

I could have paid less then the $24 but I happened to like the look and feel of the PE shirts. And as the saying goes You usually get what you paid for.

So if in HK paying say $25 gets me a shirt that would go for alot more here, thats OK,. Just Im off size, 16 neck 35/36 sleeve. And want something that will last a few yrs.

thanks but was asking about the Old MO, as the place I need I was told was 15 mins walk from there. We were thinking about staying at The Hyatt but was told thats a 30 min walk Uphill. So if The Conrad is the same distance and its not as Uphill, that will do the trick.

Need to get to Mac Donnell Rd low #s.

Eh? So why did you ask how to get to the Mandarin if you wanted to go to Macdonnell Road?

Macdonnell Road is more or less equally uphill from any of the Mandarin, Conrad and Hyatt. Of the three it's closest to the Conrad, and slightly less of a climb from the main lobby. Go out of the main lobby entrance, turn right, cross the road and go into Hong Park, look at the map to follow the paths up the hill the come out of the top of the park on Kennedy Road. Turn right onto Kennedy. Cross over and take Calder Path more or less straight up the hill to Macdonnell and (probably, depending on how low numbers exactly) turn right. I'd allow 20 mins for this if you can walk up hill and climb steps at a reasonable pace. I don't have my contour maps to hand but I guess you're climbing about 300 feet in total.

The only hotel I can think of that is as far up the hill as Macdonnell is the Bishop Lei on Robinson, which would be a 10-15 minute walk to the low numbers of Macdonnell more or less on the flat. But it's a couple of notches down from the Mandarin/Hyatt/Conrad as a hotel.

Alternatively to avoid any uphill walking, from the Conrad you can go down into Admiralty MTR station navigate out to exit B, turn right then right again when you reach street level and there is the bus stop at the start of route 12A which runs about every 10 minutes and gets you to Macdonnell is less than 5 more for HK$4.3, But I guess whatever it is that stops you taking a taxi may also apply to a bus?

On shirts most of the decent places start at about HK$350 for a basic cotton fabric. For less than HK$200 I imagine what you get is very basic indeed.

I think you're massively confused, or you made me confused. You want to get to MacDonnell road low numbers? I don't know why you would want to do so via the MO. That's in the opposite direction. From the Conrad just go out the Supreme Court road and enter Hong Kong Park. Go all across HK Park and head towards the Tram station. Keep walking up Cotton Tree drive past the Tram station and bear left along the Tram path, which intersects the low end of McDonnell Road.

The uphill part of your walk is between the Conrad and McDonnell road (and it is pretty mild). The walk between the Hyatt and the Conrad is along flat landfill.

Pickles & Christep

1stly THANKS for All your help and info

2nd Its my 1st time heading over to HKG part MR (low fare late Jan) part seeing the place, heard its something I shouldnt miss

3rd sorry about any confussion but Believe me Im more confused then you people are. A couple of people gave me some info over the weekend and it seems its just all wrong. The place I needed on Macdonnell Rd I read off a website was a 15 min walk from the MO, so I figured if The Conrad is close enough walk to the MO then at most it would be a 30 min walk to Macdonnell. I thought someone would know where the MO and Conrad were, but not Macdonnell Rd.

1 person told me The Sheraton was a 5 min walk then I found out the Sher is on the Kowloon side.Another person told me to stay at the Hyatt as another place I need to get to was a 5 min walk from there. Turns out the place is up the peak on Robinson Rd.

Both hotels are important as my friend who Im traveling with has 5 FFNs for Hyatt use as a Diamond was told they can be extended till 2/28. I can pull 125k and get 4 nights at The Conrad using an AXON. So bang for the buck thats why we decided to go with Hyatt or Conrad.

But again Thanks as now I understand exactly what to expect and now know the situation

For low number Macdonnell Road from the Conrad, I will go through Hong Kong Park and get out at the Marriage Registry, walk by the Peak Tram Terminus, and then follow Tramway Path (which, no surprise, follows the Peak Tram route) to Kennedy Road. Cross Kennedy Road, but turn right (i.e. go west), and DON'T go up the steps of Tramway Path. Just before the Cotton Tree Drive overpass, there are steps to go up to a basketball court (just before public toilet). Continue up Cotton Tree Drive to YWCA Garden View at 1 Macdonnell Road.

Bishop Lei is a different hotel, on Robinson Road.

BTW, I spent 11 years going to school on Macdonnell Road.

My guess is that you want to be at Hoover Court 1/F 7-9 Macdonnell Road.

That's at 70 Robinson Road. To get there without breaking any laws, take the Mid-Levels Escalator, which starts in Central and drops you off a few minutes walk up Robinson Road. You'll need to be escorted or make arrangements to enter beforehand.

what can I say, except " You got Me";)

Ok so now that you know exactly where I need to be and when:D , can I ask your input on which location is closer or easier to reach from The Conrad, is the Hyatt much further away? Or would you simply stay over in Kowloon at The Sheraton for 2 nights and do my thing over there at a place close to The Sheraton

OK, now I understand - so one other thing: the Bishop Lei, being the closest hotel to 70 Robinson Road is extremely well used to meeting the needs of people going there. They know all about, for example, operating lifts, lights etc as required.
http://www.bishopleihtl.com.hk/
Having said that I work for a company where many visiting senior managers have similar needs, and they have been happy also with the Mandarin. The Bishop Lei is a good tourist grade hotel, but you can get a duplex harbour view suite with a sun room for a lot less than the price of a single room at the Mandarin. Given that you're unlikely to be using the restaurants and bars at the Mandarin then the convenient location and familiarity of the Bishop Lei with your needs might swing it if I were you.

Agree with this. The Bishop Lei is also walking distance to McDonnell Road. The Mandarin is a world-class hotel, and also has experience dealing with your needs. All the diamond dealers stay there, and they even have their own events at one of the conference rooms in the second floor.

Of the hotels you've mentioned, the Conrad is probably the closest and the Hyatt the farthest, although the MO is convenient to the Mid-Levels escalator which you'll need to get to Robinson Road from Central. Forget the Sheraton, there is nothing on the Kowloon side, and you'll need to take a subway or a boat to get to the Island side.

What can I say, you people are Great!

I dont plan to stay at the MO as that means we have to pay for it. From what I understand and will do further investigation , when the MO closed for renovations that 2nd floor meeting was KOed and everything is done on Macdonnell Rd now. I know the MO reopened but I was given to believe that the 2nd Floor meeting if it takes place is done by those who are there by themselves and not as an organized thing any longer of the Macdonnell folks. I can be Wrong as Ive been on alot so far in regards to HK.

Looks like our plan will be stay somewhere cheap (yeh right in HK) the night we arrive, I get in at 8p and my friend 11p, no sense heading over to a fancy place when a bed and hot shower will be all either of us wants. The same probably for our last night as my flight is 11a and his 7a. Or we just might do 2 nights at Hyatt followed by 4 at Conrad followed by 2 at Hyatt. The 4 Conrad with my pts, and the 4 Hyatt with his FFNs.

I do agree the Bishop Lei makes alot of sense for 2 of the nights but that will KO The Conrad where the best deal is an AXON which requires 4 Consectutive nights otherwise instead of 125k in HH pts it will be 40k per night. So the AXON is really stay 3 get the 4th free pts wise. I know 2 + 4 =6 but Im not looking to use my pts unless I'll be staying at a Hyatt somewhere for 4 nights with my friend by the end of Feb.

it would have been alot better if NWA & CO gave each others Members 100% EQMs instead of only 50%, no one wants to KO 8000+ in EQMs.

For both of us its a MR and Jan is very cheap to HK. 16k EQMs. At least CO requires at least a 6 day stay otherwise the fare goes way up, thats why we were always looking on how to brake up the Hotels into 6 nights. Since he has 5 FFNs he wants to get his $$$ worth out of them. I have in excess of 1m HH pts so 125k is a drop in the bucket, and about time to start burn some, so does he.

Again you people have been tremendous, THANKS

You may be right about that. I've seen them post-renovation, but I don't know if it is an organized thing or something ad hoc.

the ole saying still holds Water, 'Never say Never'.

turns out that The Renaissance on the Kowloon side goes down to $900 HK as of 1/27. So 2 nights there with a Premium Pound should net out around $60 a night. That will allow us to each pick up 2 nights towards '09 (Im a Plat). Its $1450 before that, and in HK its running 1900.

So now looks like Bishop Lei might just work Fine. Their best room with the Sun Room was $2000. While their Grand Harbour view Suite is $980, so we probably will go with 2 of the $980 as we are just good friends and traveling buddy's and this way we each can have our own space. Unless the $700 arent closets then they will do.

So now we can do a 6 night deal as 2 @ Hyatt, 2 @ Bishops and the last 2 @ Renaissance Kowloon and that way we dont have to hit Kowloon till we are staying over there.

I really wanted to check out The Conrad, but it wont pay to unless spending 4 straight nights. got to try for 8 nights as 2 @ Hyatt, 4 @ Conrad 2 @ Renaissance Kowloon.

Its so much easier when traveling alone, get to do what I want when I want

I'd recommend the extra for a suite at the Bishop Lei. The rooms are quite compact to say the least (particularly the bath (i.e. shower) room).

Just found the pics of the rooms on the BL site, I agree they look way to small.

Did you ever hear of Gardenview Intl House on MacDonnell? Something tells me since these Hotels are out of the main area re; Central or Kowloon that at best will be 3*s so basically all we will get is a tiny room and a closet for a bathroom.

The Royal Suite at BL with tx will be appx $300 for that Id rather spend 40k at The Conrad and hope my Diamond status gets a decent room. Simply do 2 Hyatt and 4 Conrad. Since the end of Jan isnt rainy season yet the walking should be a nice thing to do. Im just not looking to be in a closet, bad enough having to endure a 17 hr flight twice in 1 week, and nothing like having a nice Hot Tub to relax in. Im positive that anything in Mid-Levels will offer nothing.

You got that right. If you're now open to slumming it, you should check out the 2 Macdonnell Road apartments. They aren't half bad. They are more long-term serviced type, but they'll rent them to you for a couple of nights if they have space.

http://www.twomr.com.hk/

Thanks , but I decided depending if we are in HK for 6 or 8 days the 1st 2 will be at the Hyatt, then The Conrad for the next 4 and if we do 8 days the last 2 at the Renaissance in Kowloon (the only 1 we will have to pay for and @ $60 US a night thats not really paying that includes the tax and everything). Or I will go it alone with 4 @ Conrad and 2 Ren Kowloon.

I dont persee need a 6* Hotel, but nor am I looking for something in the likes of the Bishop Lei and that Apartment Complex looks nice but if Im gonna be paying those rates I want Stay Credits and pts for my $$.

since I hold Plat with SPG and Marriott and Diamond with Hilton, Ive never been disappointed when booking the least expensive room, since I never ended up not being Upgraded and since Jan is Low season I dont forsee being stuck without a very nice Upgarde. as for the Hyatt my friend is a Diamond with them, and we never didnt receive a Suite even when using his FFNs.

I just was worried that in the end we would have to walk say an hour or so to get to where we needed to be. Seeing its like a 15 min walk from the Conrad and it wont be the rainy season, that settles that.

If not for having to get up to Macdonnell I would have been content with The Renaissance which is across from the Hyatt.

Not at the GHHK, unless your friend is somebody really important. You'll get club access (which is very nice) and maybe a harbourview, but that's it. I've never gotten a suite there on a freebie upgrade (although I've gotten some of the exec rooms on occassion), and I've stayed there probably close to a hundred times.

Im not doubting You for 1 min. But somehow to his credit he pulled off on FFNs Suites and Not off Season at Maui,Kauai,Gainey Ranch,Zurich, Honolulu etc along with Lounge access to boot.

For HK its not really important as it will be for 2 nights only and the 1st night with like a Midnight arrival, but it would be nice.

back to the drawing board.

How come none of you guys told me that The Conrads rooms are from the 50th floor upwards?????

So its either The Hyatt with a 1/2 hr walk (not looking forward) or The Sheraton in Kowloon with a 5 min walk to Mody Rd, looks best deal

seems as if alot of Hotels are either the top floors of a Multi purpose building or on top of some sort of center that also adds alot of floors before getting to the room floors.

Now I know why every goes to The MO and never The Conrad or JW

I think we're at the point where you need to be specific about what you can and can't do. I'm afraid there are so many variations of your "condition" that it's impossible to generalise. I thought lifts were OK if someone else pressed the buttons? That's how it works for the people I know.

PLEASE dont get the wrong idea. I did NOT intend to come down in any way, shape or fashion on You & Pickles.

I Owe both of you alot for all the help and ideas you have posted.

It would take too long to post what is Ok and not by Me. Let me just say that many a person will do something, thinking its Ok or not really caring. I have no problem going into an Elevator that someone else happened to have pressed the button for, I wont ask them to press the floor I need but would get out when they do , hopefully it is a floor a few floors above mine, alot easier to walk down then to walk up. I wont say "while you are at it can you press 37 as well,Thanks". There are ways to say it, but unless the other person has an understanding of why I said what I did , it wont have any affect, and they will look at me as if Im craz(y). Which can work to my advantage if their floor is far from mine, I can go into action as the El is getting close to what I need hoping they will press another floor just to get out and away from me, then imagine the look on their face when I follow them off the El;)

dont think anyone has a problem at the MO, as Im positive that the employees there know the full score, as they do by the BL.

Now I have to see if I can work the flights out (good thing not purchased yet) so that I can get 4 days in at The Conrad before having to move out.Which means a Sun flight out of NY, and if my friend can score an ElCheapo as well out of LA.

The Conrad ends on the 50th floor. The Hyatt is no different, and the rooms start on the 11th floor. I'm not sure you can take the stairs just like that at either the Conrad or the Hyatt. The MO is as lowrise as it gets in HK. The BL is probably OK also. Otherwise you can hire a SG to go around with you pressing buttons and whatnot.

You mean the Conrad and JWM are always empty?

Actually, the JWM is all hotel in its tower.

I also don't see what the problem is. The Grand Hyatt in Shanghai is Floor 53 to 87. MO at the Time Warner in NYC is 35 to 54. The future Ritz Carlton at the ICC in Hong Kong will be 104 to 118 or something like that.

So, you mean everything someone recommends a hotel like the GH in Shanghai or MO in NYC, they also need to mention that it's in a "mixed-use building"? That's crazy.

Sending you a PM to explain, christep and pickles were able to put 1 & 1 together and understood my situation w/o me having to explain

How nice!

I sent you a PM too before I read this post. Wish I didn't. :rolleyes:

Whatever.

Heaven forbid that you should waste your time framing your request.