Kuoni are a major British Travel agent, they have a web site - Kuoni.co.uk. They are probably the UKs largest longhaul operator (certainly to the far east)

I see no reason why they wouldn't sell you some accomodation direct (or even via an agent - as this is how most people book with kuoni)(I think they make a £25 admin cost if you don't buy a total package from them) - but they may also include transfers. (you can e-mail them on [email protected])

For comparison purposes in there brochure for next year for August 1st 2005 at KL - SL

A nights accommodaton RO is £114

If you buy 4 nights they will give 1 extra free
Further, they will give you a breakfast on all but the free nights (you can get breakfast on all nights free by joining the loyalty club)AND they will upgrade you to an Exec Harbour View Room if you stay over 3 nights.

By my reckoning that is £456 for 5 nights! Which is about what I paid this year. As I say I used Kuoni in May - and got all these offers. I couldn't find anything to match this on the web.

(the hotel also had an excellent 2 for 1 on about 40 different glasses of wine in their new tapas bar - during a very happy "happy 2 hour").

I think Kuoni negotiate preferantial rates because they are
(a) one of the largest UK travel agents, apparantly I have read they are the UKs biggest operator to Thailand
(b) They have only a limited choice of hotels in the destinations they feature. (typically about 8-10 in large cities or resorts in three budget ranges medium, first class or deluxe

They are ABTA bonded, and are orginally a swiss company founded in 1906. For the last 22 years they have been voted Britain's favourite tour operator - And I just to make it clear before anyone suggests it - I don't work for them or have any financial interest in them. I've just found them often cheaper than the web for specific hotels.

Hi tripgirl! I haven't stayed at any of the hotels you mentioned but have eaten at Intercontinental, Peninsular and Mandarin...all very special. In my opinion, if you are going to Hong kong on business, then stay on that side and cross the harbour by ferry when you want to but if you will be a tourist, then you will find Kowloon more interesting and you can still get the Star Ferry to the other side for other sightseeing.I agree that the Peak can be lovely especially if you do the walk around it (about one hour).As for hotels, without personal experience, I would choose the Intercontinental. Its handy but its special attraction is that fabulous view!Enjoy that special city!

Les-excellent advice on the Salisbury! Spygirl is going to HK in Dec., and that's exactly what she's going to do-have booked a full harbor view room at the Salisbury for New Year's, right next to the Penn-for $116/nt. If I want luxury, then I'll go next door to the Penn, or any of the other lux hotels in Kowloon, and save $200 a day for shopping and other things!

P.S. Do people REALLY plan a trip to a single destination a year in advance????

spygirl,

Hong Kong is just part of a mulkit city trip planned of rAug.

and yes, i do plan 1 year in advance for our longer trips, so I can get as much informaiton as possible without feeling rushed.

I just gather a bit a day.

Thanks Walter for your excellent information!

I agree with tripgirl. The planning and anticipation is almost as much fun as the trip itself. Im beginning planning next years Italy trip as we speak.

I agree with my statemate, fromMA. Planning the trip is lots of fun, and you never have to deal with delayed flights or disappointing hotel rooms when your face is buried in a travel book or web site.

While I don't get to the details of what I might do each day, I will plan trips well in advance, especially (as in the case of Hong Kong) when I would want to visit only during a certain season or when I will want to use frequent flyer miles.

I'm actually planning trips as far out as 2+ years. I'll be using a frequent flyer ticket in conjunction with a round-the-world ticket, and the return portions of both tickets will take place about a year after the outbound or initial portions. Some FF tickets need to be reserved a year in advance, so the 2 years that seems very far away in fact needs to be planned now!