We are taking our son to HK in mid-March. It's cheaper to take a suite than two rooms, so we reserved a "Harbor View" suite at both the Ritz Carlton and Mandarin Oriental. They are roughly comparable in price and appear to afford a similar view. Which would you pick? We are members of the Leaders Club (part of Leading Hotels of the World), so we could get an upgrade at the Mandarin. But from the written material, the Ritz sounds more luxurious. You only go around once. Advice appreciated.

We stayed at the Mandarin Oriental. The two hotels are side by side so location is not a factor. The bathrooms at the Ritz are supposed to be splendid. Our room at the Oriental was nice but not nearly as lovely as the room at the Oriental in Bangkok. We liked the service and the food at the Oriental. The food in the Chinese restaurant was exceptional. The pool was extremely nice. The service was excellent. But...never having been in the Ritz, I think it is a step up. At the same price..I think the Ritz has the edge.

I am interested in these suggestions as well. We have stayed at the Pen and it was phenomenal, but would like to stay island side this time, and are considering both the Ritz and the Oriental. Found a rate of $300/night for deluxe harbour view and breakfast at the Ritz, how does that sound? Will I be disappointed with the harbour view (looking AT Kowloon) after staying in the Pen with an island view?

I'd rather stay at the Mandarin Oriental of the two, because of its air of established elegance, and the excellence of the service which it would be very hard to beat anywhere.<BR><BR>But if it's a view you want, the Mandarin's low height and increasing distance from the water have reduced its pleasures in that way.<BR><BR>I find the Ritz-Carlton a bit heavy-handed with its logos everywhere, and its white-and-gilt plushness, but it's still a very good hotel, and it has better views than the Mandarin. Looking at Kowloon isn't as impressive as looking at the Island, and perhaps what you want is a room with both a view along the north side of the island and across at Kowloon. For that the Grand Hyatt would be a good choice, or perhaps one of the hotels slightly higher up such as the Conrad (although I haven't stayed there).<BR><BR>Peter N-H<BR>http://members.axion.net/~pnh/China.html

We are staying at the Ritz Carlton next month, got a weekend rate of $200 for a harbor view. The rooms definitely seem nicer than the Mandarin's. And you could always walk there for dinner if you want to eat at the Mandarin's fine restaurants.

If you only live once, then why aren't you staying at the Peninsula? It is far superior to any other hotel in HK.

The two hotels are about 100 yards apart and share the same view. Depending upon the floor of your room, the Mandarin view may be cut off by Jardine House and other buildings in front of it. In the case of both hotels, the view you will have is not the famous harbour view you see on the postcards: that view is from Kowloon, across the harbour. To get that view you need to stay at the Peninsula or the Intercontinental (formerly the Regent). The advantage of being on Hong Kong Island (where the Mandarin and Ritz are) is that most of your sightseeing will be done on the island and it saves a bit of time crossing the harbour. (That being said the Star Ferry is one of the best things about the city and the views are fabulous, so you may not mind the trip, or you can take the boring viewless subway.)<BR><BR>The Mandarin is a much older hotel, which of course has been maintained to a great standard, but certain things like room size and some bathroom features are not as spanking new as the Ritz. The lobby and other public areas of the Ritz are completely unimpressive to me. The food at the Mandarin is better in my opinion. <BR><BR>If you only go around once, I would agree with the above poster at check out the Peninsula, specifically one of their corner suites in the new tower. I have not seen two-bedroom corner suites, but they may have them. Alternatively two double rooms on a high floor in the tower would give a great view. The hotel is new and has all the spanking newness of the Ritz, with the beautiful white marble lobby and old charm of the original hotel on the lower floors. You can walk to the Star Ferry in about 5 minutes and be across the harbour in another 10. If you don’t' stay there, definitely have dinner at Felix on the roof.<BR>

We also stayed at the Peninsula and found to be as luxurious as advertised. <BR><BR>Regardless of where you stay, I might suggest that you have dinner at the Felix restaurant at the top of the Peninsula. A very modern feeling restaurant with a stunning view of HK island.

In response to someone's question about the Conrad, it is a fabulous hotel and the views are amazing! The room service meal I had several nights (been to HK on many biz trips) was among the best meals of my life, anywhere in the world. I also really, really liked the JW Marriott, which is right next to the Conrad. There was a floor butler and he was extremely conscientious. I even got the feeling that he must have had a peep hole, every time I so much as tossed a piece of trash in the can, he rang and bell and emptied for me. Who knows, being HK, maybe there was a pressure switch in the bottom. The Marriott also has a very nice gym -- and terrific views. I also like the location of these hotels to any other including the Peninsula. I felt both of these hotels were absolutely top notch in every way but the Marriott in general has a level of personalized service that I have never found matched in any other chain.

Not all harbor views are the same. While the view of the harbor from HK Island is certainly a wonderful experience, the view from Kowloon to HK Island is one of the most breathtaking sights in the world, absolutely unforgettable.<BR><BR>That said, if you're going to splurge for a very nice hotel, pls. consider a harbor-view room at either the Peninsula or the Inter-Continental (formerly called the Regent). Harbor-view rooms at the Sheraton and Kowloon Shangri-La can also be very good; however, both are undergoing renovations and are not recommended until the renovations are complete.

Just returned from the Ritz Carlton. Room facing the harbor was lovely, location was very convenient, easily could walk to the Star Ferry. Beautiful quiet lobby on the thrid floor. Fabulous tea service - so full we had to cancel our dinner at Felix (though we did go there to have a drink and see the place!). If you don't want the hustle, bustle of the Peninsula, the Ritz Carlton is an excellent alternative.

i vote for the penn also...when at felix, don't forget to go to the rest rooms, both mens and womens, but especially the mens (behind the curtain....

If we are talking views here, there is a hotel in HK that has unparalleled views. While I have stayed at the Pen, I have also stayed at the Harbour Plaza Hung Hom. The reason the view of Victoria Harbour is so spectacular from this hotel is because you get to see the lights of HK (at night) and the view of the ships coming into the harbour from the South China Sea. At night, you also see men fishing with lanterns in tiny boats. Hung Hom is a residential neighborhood adjacent to Kowloon. There is a Star Ferry terminal just a 3-minute walk away from the hotel.

My husband and I would highly recommend a stay at Kowloon Intercontinental. You would much more enjoy a view of Hong Kong and harbor from Kowloon. It's spectacular!!! Peninisula, unfortunately lost their precious view due to the newly built museum right on harbor in front of hotel. Intercontinental, newly remodeled, has a very sleek asian decor and service is outstanding. Be sure to ask for Club level and make the most of several food presentations and complimentary bar drinks throughout the day. I can't wait to return. You also might request a 7th floor corner unit overlooking water and city. Fantastic!!!! Enjoy. PS: Peninsula, also unfortunately, hosts cruise line excursions in their lobby tea room areas. A ghastly sight in what is truly a fine establishment, worth a visit anyhow.

In any case, have afternoon tea in the Penninsula. It is very expensive, but you don't need to order the complete tea service for each person.<BR><BR>We stayed at the Mandarin and enjoyed the hotel and location.

Well I agree with other posters that the Peninsula is the REAL splurge in HK, and I urge you to go for it. However, you asked for a comparison between the RC and Mandarin, and I shall offer my humble opinion: The Mandarin has totally earned its spurs, while the Ritz Carlton is a serious imposter. First of all, there is HEAVY construction going on right next door, which I guarantee will not add to your peaceful enjoyment, secondly, the RC promises much more than it delivers. I couldn't even get my room to stay at a comfortable temperature - the inscrutable controls alternated between too hot and too cold. No high speed internet in the room, a tiny in-room safe, showers and sinks that didn't drain properly, inadequate gym facilities (as opposed to the AMAZING spa at the Pen), yadda yadda - I find the the RC to be a distinct also-ran in the competition with the Pen, Intercontinental, and Grand Hyatt in HK.