Hong Kong Highlights!

Saipan is a beautiful place to call home but it’s quite exciting to know that places like Hong Kong are so accessible for us. With Continental’s twice-weekly flights connecting through Guam, it’s easy to get to the amazing city of Hong Kong. It’s a city with nearly 7 million residents and offers many types of activities. It’s safe to bet that you’ll never be bored while exploring Hong Kong.

The 556-room Grand Hyatt is located in central Hong Kong and is an amazing place to stay. The hotel offers magnificent views of the Hong Kong harbour from most of its guest rooms. When you want a room with a view, this is the place to stay. In addition to the grand lobby and the outstanding service, you’ll find a world class spa located on the 11th floor of the hotel. The award winning spa – Plateau (most recently named the 2006 Spa of the Year by both the South China Morning Post as well as Harper’s Bazaar Style Awards), is a mini hotel within the hotel. If you are looking for a spa retreat, you can check into an overnight spa room complete with an oversized whirlpool bath and many other amenities including the biggest outdoor hotel pool in Hong Kong, five Fitness and Exercise Studios, and The Grill, a poolside restaurant serving char-grilled specialties. Most of your spa treatments will take place in the privacy of your room. Plateau offers the ultimate in pampering. Signature treatments include the Plateau Massage and the Plateau facial. This is an experience not to be missed.

When it’s time for dinner in Hong Kong the biggest challenge is choosing from the many incredible places to dine. Café Deco at the Peak stands 1,355 feet above Hong Kong and offers sweeping views of the South China Sea. They boast an international menu featuring Asian & Western cuisines. The smoked salmon was one of my favorites. If dim sum is tempting, check out Luk Yu Tea House on Stanley Street. They serve the most traditional dim sum in a setting of 1930’s rosewood furniture. This spot is a local favorite of many of Hong Kong’s elite. One of the best Cantonese restaurants is Fook Lam Moon on Johnston Road. This is old-school Chinese dining, both in décor and the cuisine. Although it can be terribly expensive, there’s not a better place in town to come for top rate service and amazing food.

Hong Kong offers many things in terms of sightseeing. Whether it’s viewing the city from Victoria Peak, shopping at Stanley Market (where you can use your negotiating skills on the price) or taking a ride across the harbour on the famous Star Ferry, you’ll find that there is something to see for everyone in Hong Kong. I suggest taking one of the many day tours of the city (your hotel or travel agent can book this for you). For evening sightseeing, a great way to view the city is on the Star Ferry’s one hour harbour cruise.

For those of you that like to shop, Hong Kong offers everything you can imagine. From luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Gucci to local designers—and my personal favorite—Shanghai Tang, you’ll find it all here. The newest shopping mecca, IFC mall, houses over 200 international brands. In addition there are many restaurants in IFC as well as a cinema for those who might want to see a movie while the others in your group shop.

Getting around Hong Kong is easy. From the airport, the least expensive and fastest way to get to the city is to take the train from the arrivals terminal at the airport to central Hong Kong. Once in the city, taxis are abundant and affordable compared to many other cities in the world.

Don’t forget your camera on this trip. It seems as you turn every corner there is yet another opportunity to snap a photo for one of the most memorable trips of your life.

Safe travels! (Andy Tidwell, Special to the Saipan Tribune)