barefootbeach

We'll be in Hong Kong for 6 nights in early November, first time to HK, and would like the nicest hotel we can afford that's in a good location for restaurants, local shops and mass transit. Would love a great view, if possible. I'd say budget in the $200-$300 category, (1500-2400 HKD) We'll be on our way back to the States following 2 plus weeks on the mainland. Also, is 6 nights more than we need to get a good experience of HK? Always looking to cut down the trip if it makes sense. I did want to take a day trip to Macau, but not for the casinos.
Thanks for your great suggestions!

Kathie

Six nights ia a nice amount of time for a trip to Hong Kong. We loved a day trip to Macau (like you, not for the casinos). One highlight for us was a meal at Fernando's - great food and so cheap in comparison to Hong Kong!

rhkkmk

perfect for macau..

i am using points at the jw marriott on the island in oct... the marriott courtyard is cheaper but the location is not as central... this is our first time staying on the island... always before we stayed at kowloon, which offers tons to do and good shopping...

imo, you need an overnight in macau to really experience it...

barefootbeach

Thanks Kathie & Bob for your ideas....will try Fernandos. I think a day trip works better than carting our luggage on the ferry for one night. Checked out the jw marriott, but too pricey for us....we don't have enough points! I'm now looking at JIA, but would love to hear some more suggestions.

Hanuman

For that price range check out either the Marco Polo or the Prince hotel, same company, and it does meet all of your requirement except for the nice view.

Everything in Macau is cheaper than Hong Kong inc rooms, food etc so perhaps add a night or two there?

Took Kathie's advice and we ate at Fernando's and found it fun and relaxing!

barefootbeach

Thanks Hanuman...I'll look into those. Regarding Macau, we could fly there directly from Shanghai, and just have to take the ferry to Hong Kong one way. Would that be a pain with our luggage? (One 26" suitcase and one roll a board each....I haven't mastered the art of 3 weeks with just a carry-on!) So, am I hearing from you all that you think Macau is worth 2 nights out of a 6 night Hong Kong trip?

Hanuman

The luggage on the ferry is not a problem. Just check them in the same way as when you're flying and collect them at the destination - just ask the staff where the collection point is. Also, I think on one ferry company you can roll the suitcase on to the ferry yourself and they have a storage area in the main cabin.

I've visited Hong Kong several times so for me 4 nights in Hong Kong is enough and 1 - 2 nights in Macau will be good for exploring the island. The old town and the museum is worth a whole day and you can spend the rest of the time seeing the coastline of Cotai(eat at Fernando's) or check out the glitzy malls/hotels around Macau.

rkkwan

Few thoughts:

1. Too early to book November hotels in Hong Kong right now. Most hotels don't even publish rates right now, others only rack rate. You need to wait until around July or August to see what are available in your price range.

2. Hotels are pricey in Hong Kong. Macau's rates are going up, but still significantly less. Since you have 6 days and are planning to visit Macau anyways, I STRONGLY recommend you to spend 2 nights in Macau. That way, you have a full day in Macau to tour around AND you can get a much better room than in Hong Kong for the same budget.

3. You can check your luggage on HK-Macau ferries, but few people use it. If there's a fee, it wouldn't be that much. Compare the airfare from Shanghai to Macau vs Hong Kong and decide if you want to fly to Macau directly.

4. There are tonnes to see in Macau outside the casinos. Just because the casinos are there and most visitors go to Macau for the casinos doesn't mean there's nothing else to see. Beautiful churches, the fort, Chinese gardens, food... Well worth a full day and night there.

barefootbeach

Thanks so much for the ferry info Hanuman and rkkwan, and your thoughts on how long to visit both places. I really appreciate your local knowledge. I looked into staying at the Posada de Sao Tiago and it looks lovely but really has mixed reviews. And, it sounds like it's difficult to get around to the other other areas from there. Perhaps booking a local tour guide for the day might work. I'd prefer not to stay at one of the huge casino hotels. rkkwan, thanks for letting me know I should wait until July or August to book hotels

rkkwan

Actually, it's not an issue for staying at one of the casino hotels. Almost all are brand new and your budget can get your something really nice. You don't have to know it's attached to a casino.

But you should think about location. Many of them are on the Cotai strip, which is quite far away from the historic center of Macau. The new hotels near the historic center on Macau Peninsula proper include the Grand Lisboa, Wynn, MGM Grand and the Sofitel. The Sofitel in particular is in the old "Inner Harbour" part of Macau. Both the Sofitel and the Grand Lisboa are short walks from most of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites (including the St. Paul Ruins and Monte Fort/Museum of Macau).

Do keep in mind that hotels in Macau are more expensive for Fri and Saturday nights, while those in Hong Kong are more expensive during the week. Also, the Macau Gran Prix is 11/15 to 11/18, but it sounds like you will be there prior.

Anyways, just checking rates. Weekday rate at the Sofitel starts at around US$150 per room per night, for November, bookable right now. Grand Lisboa's published rate is HK$1,800. About US$230. Both easily within your budget. In contrast, the JW Marriott is asking HK$3,600 a night for early Nov, or US$460.

Hanuman

Usually within 1 week of posting you should get a very long..... reply from Cicerone with several links to hotels, restaurants etc. Until then I like to recommend that you rethink about staying in a hotel/casino complex. Convenient, lots of restaurants, new and normally low rates. IMO the only negative with the hotel/casino places is the cigarette smoke.

rkkwan

Too tell you how great hotel values are in Macau, with a US$300 budget, you can even stay in a suite at the Banyan Tree that's 1,000 sq feet with your private relaxation in-room pool.

It is part of the Galaxy casino complex on Cotai, and it shares its building with the Okura Hotel, and you can use the huge wave pool of the complex, but the Banyan Tree has its own entrance, its own pool, etc.

Think of it this way - those who gamble are subsidizing those who are not.

Kathie

You certainly don't need a tour guide for Macau. Use taxis (or even the bus) to get from place to place. People are helpful and friendly. Macau is a great place for strolling and enjoying the ambiance and the scenery.

simpsonc510

Barefoot, I think you should consider staying on Kowloon. I've stayed several times at the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel. The view (if you pay extra) is lovely. The hotel is more or less attached to a huge mall, and the cruise boat dock is right outside the window. Fun to watch ships come and go.

The ferry to HK Island is right next door, so very handy. IMO Kowloon 'feels' more neighborhood-like, and easy to walk around. Local restaurants, markets, etc right outside the door of the hotel.

Anyway, just wanted to give a shout out for Kowloon.

rhkkmk

how about leaving your big suitcases in storage at your HK hotel and take your rollies to macau??

barefootbeach

So nice to check in and be greeted by all this great new info! Based on your comments, I will look at staying at one of the new casinos. I'd lean toward the ones where i could walk to the historic section....but I also learned from an earlier reply that I can get a free shuttle from the Cotai ones to the downtown....easier than trying to nab a taxi, which I've learned is a constant problem. I could eat dinner at the Posada de Sao Tiago to at least experience that. (and lunch at Fernandos!) I do think I'll fly to Macau directly, since it was just slightly more than flying into HK on China Eastern....btw, are they an OK airline? The problem with leaving our large suitcases in storage at a hotel in Hk is that I don't want to check in and check out of a HK hotel several times, so would want to visit Macau first (during the week).

And thanks for the update on when the Gran Prix will be, rkkwan. We'll be there the week before so that should be fine.

Simpson, thanks for the recom on the Marco Polo (altho I prefer to see cruise ships "go") and staying in Kowloon. Will check that out as well. I don't want to be in the middle of a deserted business district, esp over the weekend.

sf7307

"Deserted" and "Kowloon" are oxymorons

barefootbeach

Funny! I meant the Hong Kong business district, but I'm sure that's an oxymoron as well!

rkkwan

Central is not deserted on the weekends. Many people work half day Saturday, and Sunday all the public squares have domestic helpers from the Philippines and Indonesia doing their picnic. To the locals TST now has a very negative image. Nathan Road is full of South Asian pandering fake watches to Western tourists while mainland shoppers with loads of cash crowd out all the name-brand store on Canton Road - which is where there Marco Polo hotels are located.

Bit anyways, no need for another HK vs Kowloon argument. HK is so small that it's silly to argue about that. Better to just get the best hotel within your budget for the dates you want, as long as it's convenient. I mean, the 4 hotels at Pacific Place in Admiralty is just one subway stop or 4 minutes from TST, and the train runs from 6a to 1a, every 2-3 minutes.

As for Macau, the casino shuttles don't take you to old Macau. They take you to either of the ferry terminals or the Chinese land border. You'll need to take a taxi for other areas, and taxis in Macau have become horrible in recent years. Hard to find one apart from the main hotels or piers, and with the medallion price inflated, drivers tend to only pick up fares to fancy restaurants and nightclubs at night so they can get kickbacks. Seriously, with your interest and your budget, I'd suggest the Sofitel. Its casino is pretty small, so it doesn

rkkwan

So it doesn't feel like a huge casino hotel. And the French won't let a Sofitel to become too 'cheap' anyways.

As for Chinese airlines, they are pretty much the same. And all are okay for shorthaul.