For a 24 hour guide, here's Hong Kong in a nutshell. Sometimes you’ve just got to narrow it down to three.
24 hours spent in any city should comprise of at least three things - a great sleep, a great eat and a great shop. Hong Kong has all three in spades, but here’s our shortlist:
A great sleep
From the disco elevator vibe and cool beats, to the horse sculptures and not-your-average looking chairs lining public spaces, first impressions of the W Hong Kong are that you’re in a pretty groovy looking place. Head up to the 76th floor and the technicolour mural framing the infinity-edge pool really amps up that groove factor. The hallways and lobby spaces are dotted with objet d’art, the rooms are spacious and the rain-showers, heavenly. The bed deserves special mention – everything from the sheets, to the pillows, to the mattress is a sweet sensation. If purchasing hotel fittings seemed a little odd before, it won’t after a sleep here. Located at Kowloon station, the hotel is ultra convenient for those wanting to be close to the metro (and airport line) and away from the hubbub of downtown Nathan Road.
A great eat
Well, here are two options for great eats in Hong Kong. For possibly the best views over Victoria Harbour to Hong Kong Island and beyond, Hutong is that special occasion restaurant well worth the spend. Serving contemporary Northern Chinese cuisine, the food is a little on the spicy (and meaty) side, but delicious nonetheless. Crispy de-boned lamb ribs are the signature and are a must. The setting is suitably moody – dim lights, red lanterns and lounge beats. On the expensive side.
There are four Lei Gardens’ smattered around Hong Kong. We went to the Tsim Sha Tsui outpost and were suitable blown away. What the décor lacks, the food (and wine) make up. The barbeque pork was a standout, as was the pan-fried prawns in wild rice. Ask the hotel concierge to make a reservation and order up a storm. Prices are reasonable but like always, with wine can get expensive.
A great shop
It is easy to get overwhelmed with Hong Kong’s shop-scape, so a thought-out plan of attack is required. Get in the thick of the big smoke and take a walk down Nathan Road and try your hand at bartering. An hour or two is probably all you need here. Next, hop on the Star Ferry and hightail it over to Hong Kong Island. Start at Causeway Bay and make your way to Times Square. Then jump on a tram and head to Central and window-shop at all the big-name luxury outposts. The Pedder Building is where you can pick up a designer bargain.
The hit list
W Hong Kong
1 Austin Road West, Kowloon Station, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Hutong
28th floor, 1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.
+852 3428 8342.
www.aqua.com.hk
Lei Garden Restaurant
B-2 Houston Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
+852 2722 1636.
www.leigarden.hk/English
Pedder Building
12 Pedder Street, Central, Hong Kong.