Welcome to another post of helping a reader travel!
This weekly post is to help readers get a ton of travel advice from thousand of Deals We Like blog readers. Thus far, we’ve been able to help other readers travel to a slew of domestic and international destinations. Check out recent destinations and comment on suggestions here.
So this weeks travel destination includes Hong Kong. I received the following email from reader Lauren:
“I am going to Hong Kong this year and would love advice from your readers. I am looking to use points, so what hotel would you suggest? Should I stay in Hong Kong Island or Kowloon? Also, any suggested restaurants, including some authentic establishments? What are the top things to see, and what is the minimum time needed?
I was actually in Hong Kong 2 and a half years ago and loved it! It was part of my 18 day trip that included Thailand as well. I stayed at the Renaissance in Hong Kong Island and thought the location was great. It was right next to the ferry to Kowloon. When I stayed though it was a category 5 hotel and I was able to use some free night certificates. Unfortunately that hotel is now a category 7! I was there for three days and thought that was the minimum amount of time needed. One day we took the ferry to Macau which was a neat experience. While there are massive casinos there, I was more intrigued by the Portuguese section. We also went to Victoria Peak and Big Buddah. A big time is to take the train from the airport – it is much cheaper than taking a taxi and very easy!
If you’ve ever been to Hong Kong, let’s help out reader Lauren and I am sure many other interested readers!
Also, if you have any upcoming travel where you need some help, feel free to email me at dealswelike@gmail.com to be a featured “Help a Reader Travel” Monday special. Thanks!
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Go to Tim Ho Wan for the best dim sum. It is the world’s cheapest Michelin star restaurant.
For hotels on Hong Kong island, consider using points for a) IHG – 1)Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Causeway Bay – close to Causeway Bay and Happy Valley(if you happened to stay on Wednesday, may get a race course view from your room and night time horse racing instore. Close to MTR and Times Square. The street outside Times Square is the world’s most expensive shopping street in terms of rent (More expensive than Madison Avenue in New York).
– 2) Indigo Hong Kong, another IHG property and newer than Crowne Plaza HK CWB, this property has a roof top see through swimming top and located in Wan Chai, a more traditional area with street markets and interesting restaurants and still on Hong Kong island and just a short cab ride to Hong Kong station which connects to the airport express to airport just over 30 mins.
b) Accor – Ibis Hong Kong Central and Sheung Wan. This is more a budget hotel and close to Central , which is Hong Kong financial hub. Sheung Wan has a lot of old fashioned restaurants and shops selling dried seafood and markets. This area is quieter at night time since access to MTR is quite far in Hong Kong terms. So will need to take taxi to MTR station. But is quite close to the ferry terminal to Macau.
This is my last try to help your reader! I sent 2 other comments.
Ever fresh Seafood Restaurant. 250 Gloucester Road. Causeway Bay
Dim sum is great. Try cha siu , my personal favorite, it’s a roast pork
dish.
I was just there in early July. We stayed at the Intercontinental (there Are 2 of them ) in Tsim Tsa Tsui we used IHG points and stayed For 5 nights. A great location the views are great overlooking Hong Kong island and the harbour. Walking distance to the ferry boat and Nathan Road with all the shops. Very touristy but in the heart of it all. The best part is the hotel is just outside the MTR station. I am not a fan of public transportation. But I tell you it’s the best! Easy to get around nice and clean and cool never felt such nice a/c in the subway before. It’s more than just a train station it’s an entire underground city. All kinds of food. Check out the Tsim Tsa Tsui area plenty of other choices in hotels. Hope this helps.
I was born in HK and lived there till 30 so I think I know HK pretty well. The only problem is I have been away for years and things keep changing every minute
in HK. For hotel, I would prefer those in HK Island. As long as they are close to MTR, you are good to go. Most people know how to speak some English but the problem is they are hesitant to talk to strangers. Look for female in their 30 and 40’s, they are usually more helpful to tourists. But there are always staff at MRT that can help and there is also English translation for signs and announcement.
For food, I can’t answer without knowing your preference. But the local café is a must. You can’t leave HK without trying the hot/iced milk tea and wonton noodle soup.
I stayed at the HI Express Sheung Wan in February and enjoyed it, it’s a very nice modern hotel and was only 20k IHG points per night. Easy walking distance to the MTR and streetcar lines.
For $38 USD you can get a tourist pass that gets you a roundtrip on the Airport Express and three days of unlimited travel on MTR. You can also more money on it to use as a standard Octopus card, and if you return it to the MTR agent at the airport you’ll get the remaining balance back plus a 50HKD (I think). deposit refund. It’s cheaper if you buy in advance, which you can do online (or via CX duty free, if you happen to be flying CX). There’s also an 8-day tourist SIM card deal for $12 USD that also gets you access to wifi hotspots around the city, which I found useful.