rhkkmk

yes I mean as a reward for the showing ask for points instead of a gift..

if you buy they will shower you with points, right Kathie?

carol, go onto the Marriott vacation club site and I think you will see how many pts it would take... but a phone call would be easier.

or try making a res and click "use Marriott pts"...

Kathie

How many vacation club points varies from property to property. If you are interested in buying vacation club points to be able to rent in Phuket (or elsewhere) the Marriott may be willing to give you a special deal to stay there. But probably not at New Year. And yes, if you buy, you'll acquire a lot of rewards points.

Bob, if she isn't a vacation club owner, I don't know if she can access that site.

simpsonc510

Bob are you going to Bangkok in January 2015? I'm still curious about your email. I also saw availability, but the platinum agent on the phone said there was nothing for the NYE time period.

I'm ready to sign with the redweek owner. Wish me luck! If it goes smoothly, I may book with him again next year, and the next year, etc.

I still don't understand what the points are for time share. I know the Marriott rewards points very well. I have many of them! May use some in Hong Kong in July. Heading to BKK for two weeks and taking a HKG break in the middle for 3 days.

rhkkmk

book JW in HK with points.. fab

no, I did that test just to see what the pt cost is for phuket

simpsonc510

Good news! Our redweek condo is secured for the N Y E holiday! Whoop whoop!

Bob, I might just do what you suggest and use points to book HK. But I really wanted to stay on the Kowloon side since that is where the bulk of our shopping (markets, street stalls, etc) will be done, I think. The island side is probably too upscale for us...

Other ideas? Oh, btw, I see there are demonstrations in HK right now (or there were demos over the weekend??) against mainland China exerting its power over HK. Wondering if this might affect travel? Thoughts appreciated from anyone in the center of it all... Cicerone?

Kathie

I'm glad to hear that your rental came through, Carol.

simpsonc510

Me too, Kathie. Really happy about it. Of course, getting it with points would have been super nice, but I want something firmed up and the inventory is just vanishing before my eyes! (so to speak)

DonTopaz

Shopping on HK island is probably much more varied (and interesting IMO) than Kowloon/TST. While some of the malls and more exclusive shops in Central might be upscale, Causeway Bay and Times Square are definitely not. And the Western area/Hollywood Road is a great place for finding one-of-a-kind, sometimes antique-y, type places.

There's a Courtyard near the Western district. The JW is also on HK Island, more expensive than the courtyard, and in a western-style upscale shopping mall. Lots of place to stay in Causeway Bay area -- no Marriotts, but both a Hol Inn Express and a Crowne Plaza among many others.

simpsonc510

Thanks Don. Maybe I should rethink my Kowloon idea. I've never spent much time "shopping" around HK island. I've found lots of interesting places on Kowloon in and around TST.

I will most likely use points for a 3-night stay and the J W might be just what we would like.

Thanks!

kmkrnn

The club at the JW is fantastic... Their food choices in the evening and at breakfast are about the best we have had..

I agree with don, Hollywood rd and other areas are tons of fun...

Have you been to the stanley market??

Bob

simpsonc510

Yes, I have been to Stanley twice. Would you say that the club lounge has Asian dishes? I will be taking Lat to Hong Kong (or we might pick Singapore if demonstrations continue in HK) and she has not really experienced much western style food. I would hope that some food items would whet her appetite.

Maybe Singapore food would be more to her liking. What do you think?

simpsonc510

Bob, you would appreciate that I've already been in touch with the GM at Phuket Beach Club!

I have word from hanuman that Hong Kong should not be a problem. Demonstrations were one day only and now everything is normal. Good to hear that.

kmkrnn

Yes there were Asian style dishes. May have been westernized a bit, but she should do ok.

mohan

Carol,

Shopping in HK is far superior. Food is plenty to choose from.

if you want cheap and fun shopping, Shamsuipo is the place. Not talking about the street markets. Don't like any of them. These are tiny showrooms one after another on the streets, they display samples and sell them for cheap. The prices are like 1, 2 or 3 items for hk$100.
It is very similar to the garment district on 30th some street and 7th Ave. in Manhattan except the prices are better. Sizes tend to be bigger than those in Thailand but still small for Americans. Most sizes are not bigger than size 12, Some good hole-in-wall eateries around.

Fa yuan street aka women's street in Mongkok is interesting( I scored plenty one time and little another), some plus size and export clothing are available. There is a Tim ho wan eatery(cheap and good dim sum) down the block. Popular among locals. Always crowded. Prepare to wait. Highly recommended.

If cheap shopping is your forte, stay in Kowloon side. Demonstration is non violent, always orderly, an non- issue for tourists. BUT they can cause traffic jam. They are mostly in Causeway bay, Central, sometime the demonstrators walk to the governor's house in mid-level which can be a problem if you are going that direction or you want to take the tram to the peak.

There is a red minibus that goes to Stanley market from Wanchai, it takes less than 30 minutes which is phenomenal for HK standard. I didn't take it myself so cannot verify. There is interesting stuff in Stanley's but variety is limited. Typical touristy stuff. After all the shopping, go grap a bite and sit in front of the water. Best part of Stanley's.

Hope it helps.

simpsonc510

All replies appreciated. Thanks everyone. Mohan, I think I'm convinced that we should do Hong Kong! I like the idea of waterfront dining at Stanley.

I really don't know what we will want from our shopping. I just know that we won't be interested in high end, other than window shopping.

kmkrnn

Waterfront dinning in Stanley is fun. Poke around the shops out there, and then take the schooner back to Hong Kong side. Makes a nice fun day.

simpsonc510

Great suggestion, Karen. I think any water ride is scenic around HKG! How expensive is the schooner?

When Maeng and I went to HKG we rode the bus to/from Stanley. It was an exciting ride in the first row of seats, upper deck. Lots of branches coming at us!!! Schooner sounds much nicer.

kmkrnn

It might have been $30 one way but well worth it

simpsonc510

I'll have to consider this. Thanks.