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I never realised how much I could fall in love with a city as chaotic and densely populated as Hong Kong but visiting again this past summer has given me a new appreciation for what can only be described as a concrete jungle.
There is no shortage of towering skyscrapers, designer shopping complexes, questionable massage parlours and more places to yum cha than you can possibly stomach.
If choosing a place to dine wasn’t hard enough, the city also offers an abundance of five-star luxury hotels to which I was lucky enough to experience during my two-week stay. Needless to say that I enjoyed each in its own right but thought I’d share with you my favourite aspects of each. Depending on your own personal predilections will hopefully help you decide on which to stay at on your next trip…
The PeninsulA hong kong Luxurious and classically elegant, the hotel is located right across from the Star Ferry Terminal and next to Tsim Sha Tsui station and has one of the best views of Hong Kong. Stay here for the service provided by their guest services, the assortment of fine dining choices and the option of travelling like a rock star in either their fleet of Rolls Royces or fly in on their helipad. Digitally savvy, each room is equipped with tablets allowing for full control of everything from the television to the temperature.
W Hong Kong Located in the centre of West Kowloon, the W offers a younger and trendier aesthetic in its design and crowd. The W houses the highest rooftop pool on its 76th floor with panoramic views of the city. Snapping images by the pool is a sure fire way of eliciting FOMO from your friends and family – trust me. The rooms offer bathrooms that overlook the harbour and the hotel is located just above a shopping complex should you want to give your credit card a workout.
The Intercontinental HONG KONG The hotel has the prime spot on the waterfront overlooking the Victoria Harbour – you won’t get a view closer to the water than this. Stay here for its location and harbourside pool. Dining at Yan Toh Heen, a one Michelin hatted Cantonese Restaurant with the most incredible food you will ever have is a must if you’re a foodie. The hotel also boasts the city’s largest presidential suite fully equipped with grand piano, pool terrace and gymnasium should you have a spare $10,000 to spend on accommodation.
Always happy hour If anybody needs me, I’ll be enjoying a Side Car at The Penninsula’s social hot spot, The Bar. It’s 5pm somewhere in the world right? Like Hong Kong, this Cointreau-based cocktail’s modern heritage is linked to England; it was the drink de jour in 1920s London. I love that it’s accessorised with sugar around the rim – the the sweet balances out the drinks subtle sour. Here’s how to recreate my holiday bar magic at home yourself.
Side car
30ML Rémy Martin VSOP cognac
30ML cointreau
30ml fresh lemon juice
Combine all of the ingredients in a mixing glass or shaker. Wet the rim of a chilled cocktail glass with lemon and press it upside down into a saucer of sugar. Shake the drink vigorously with ice, then strain it into your glass. Cheers to holidays – whether it’s in Hong Kong or closer to home!
Hear Helen Chik, Megan Hess and Geneva Vanderzeil speak at our exclusive Dream, Dare, Create with Cointreau creative careers event Saturday OCtober 29 in Sydney.
Buy your VIP ticket for $20 here.
Helen Chik is founder of fashion and travel blog CH1K.com. Follow her on Instagram @helenchikx.
