My husband and I will spend a few days in Hong Kong in June. Could wise Fodorites advise us about the merits of staying on Hong Kong Island vs. Kowloon? We plan on doing tourist-y things, visits to museums and markets, the harbor cruise, perhaps a hike if the sticky weather doesn't get to us, after having spent 10 days in Bangkok on business.

Also: We have some financial flexibility, and the DBH (dear beloved huband) insists that we should have a harbor view room. We have had good experiences with the Shangi-La hotel chain, and know that it has a property on the Island and Kowloon. This is about as much as we'd like to spend, but the DBH figures its only a few days for an experience (posted rack rate approx. $400; 'might be able to get it cheaper through other bookers), but we are also considering other properties (e.g. the Intercontinental.) Any recommendations for a nice hotel with a harbor view are welcome. The Peninsula is priced a step beyond our comfort level.

What one typically thinks of as a harbor view is the view of Hong Kong Island from Kowloon. Both the Kowloon Shangri-La and the Intercontinental have lovely harbor view rooms. The Intercontinental is perhaps better located, closer to the Star ferry, but I expect you'd be happy with either one.

The issue of whether to stay on Kowloon or Hong Kong Island has often been discussed here. A search will yield differing opinions on this matter.

First, my apologies to all -- I broke my own rule of FIRST searching the Fodor Boards for the answer to my question, THEN posting if I don't find the answer.

I now realize that the view that we want is form the Kowloon side, but it sounds like what we really want to do is mostly on the Island. A harbor view room at the Shangri-La is winning out so far, but I will search for some other options before booking.

My compliments especially go to Cicerone -- he/she seems to read us well in terms of priorities. Even if we stay on the Island, we may need to get over to a great cocktail lounge on the Kowloon side at the right time of day to enjoy the harbor view.

So: further comments are appreciated, but I think I ahve my answer as to the better location to stay, even if teh view from the room isn't THE view.

You can't go wrong with the Shangri-La Hotels. It's my favorite Asian hotel chain. The Island Shangri-La is a really nice property. You'll feel very pampered here.

You might also want to check into the two hotels on either side of the Convention Center: the Grand Hyatt and the Renaissance Harbor View. If you ask for a harbor view room in either one of these hotels, the view is really quite spectacular. Years ago, I used to stay in either one of these hotels while on business trips to Hong Kong and needed to be on the Hong Kong side close to our office there, but I understand that the Harbor View has deteriorated quite a bit.

I hope Cicerone sees this thread and she will have much more current information.

The transport system is so good it really does not take long to get anywhere on either side. You mentioned cocktails. In my opinion you cannot get a better view than when you are sipping cocktails from the lounge area in the Intercontinental , especially at night. Have a great time!

I second Peteralan's comment. You've got to have a drink from the IC lounge some night. Stunning.

>>>if the sticky weather doesn't get to us, after having spent 10 days in Bangkok on business.<<<

Greetings, fellow Bangkok business traveller (and do love your 'handle': reminds me of the rather proper 'Madame Concorde', and her appreciation of flying the various 'initial' Singapore Airlines A380 flights.) ... (She does get around -- but nothing like one of my sisters - and the mrs.) ...

Now (and certain HK residents will know best re your lodging request), this rather lowly SQ PPS (and Shangri-La 'executive golden circle' member - immediate apologies for not hitting 'higher' in '08: other Asian hotels were involved) encourages you to pursue your enquiries with yes, SQTalk. (Do 'check out' certain sqtalk trip reports of Singapore Girls - and orchids.)

Happy holiday, do consider a moment of silence this Wednesday 3.06pm GMT for the 'Hillsborough 96' and, as always, sweet and smooth (SQ) rides to all of you,

macintosh (robert)


... "It's half off!" ...

(mrs. m, re HK Peninsula, corporate 'suite offer', 2008 -- (and yes, this forthcoming July)

'Just a report: my dear husband got a bit sulky when I mentioned that I was looking at hotels on the island that would would not have THE view, as well as hotels in Kowloon. He is not at all a sulky person, so I could tell that we needed to have THE VIEW. So, I've made life easy and booked the Shangri-La Kowloon, harbor view, club level. I forget the Shangri-La's name for that level, but we have enjoyed it very much at other Shangri-Las, and felt we always got our money's worth for the upcharge. I'm sure we'll enjoy the stay.

I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay at the Kowloon Shangri-La.

Sigh. My first stay in Hong Kong was at the Kowloon Shangri-La. It has been difficult for other places to measure up.