Hong Kong Trip
Jul 3rd, 2010, 05:43 PM
#22
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Classic Panda. I was looking at the air reservations and had a tremendous shock when I realized that we were leaving on a day that I had to spend at Dana Farber getting scans. Cannot miss and cannot change. After taking a deep breath, I called Continental and told them the problem. They easily changed our trip to 9/18/10 to 9/26/10 and we only had to pay the increased fare, i.e., $40 per ticket. No change fee. We snapped it up. Once again, I am dependent of the kindness of strangers.
Jul 4th, 2010, 03:14 AM
#25
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Marmot-yes, we figured that out. We'll certainly give mooncakes a try.
The trip planning mistake actually took place in Salem, MA not Cambridge. However, Cambridge was the location in which the mistake was corrected.
The trip planning mistake actually took place in Salem, MA not Cambridge. However, Cambridge was the location in which the mistake was corrected.
Jul 4th, 2010, 06:18 AM
#27
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Ok, is this really just a ruse so that Panda can go on a soup dumpling tasting trip?
Andy, have a great trip.
PS
Can someone please ask him about the cigar in the car incident he had the other day? Its a good thing those cigars burn slowly, or his automobile would be no more. . . . . .
Andy, have a great trip.
PS
Can someone please ask him about the cigar in the car incident he had the other day? Its a good thing those cigars burn slowly, or his automobile would be no more. . . . . .
Jul 4th, 2010, 02:36 PM
#29
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I'm driving to a case in Fall River, MA and talking to Tengohambre on the phone. I have finished my cigar and attempt to discard it out the window. I failed in this attempt and the cigar fell inside the car. I immediately pulled over on the highway and opened the driver door. The cigar butt was in between the seat and the door. I picked it out, a delicate task when most of the butt is afire and discarded it on the road. I talked to Tengohabre throughout. Important legal matters that are far above the usual discussion on this forum. So, I proved that lawyers can talk and do manual tasks at the same time. I also proved that we are not too bright when it comes to discarding items. Both were true long before my diagnosis.
On another note, we're considering the Langham Place Hotel or Harbour Grand Hong Kong following Fodors advice. Will let you know when we decide.
On another note, we're considering the Langham Place Hotel or Harbour Grand Hong Kong following Fodors advice. Will let you know when we decide.
Jul 4th, 2010, 05:24 PM
#31
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ok, let me get this straight... the OP claims to be an officer of the court.... he lives in PC world otherwisw known as Cambridge.... he smokes---yikes... he tries to discard a still burning cigar butt out the window---evidently the PC volvo has no ashtray.... he exposes all the people on the south coast of MA to 2nd hand smoke... he claims to be one of the smartest people that anyone of us knows.... he is a "PC nerd"...
i am glad there are places like needham where "normal" bright law abiding people exist outside of a vacuum and the PC ghetto...
i am glad there are places like needham where "normal" bright law abiding people exist outside of a vacuum and the PC ghetto...
Jul 4th, 2010, 05:31 PM
#32
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Now, we're looking at the Langham Hotel. Any thoughts on this or the two mentioned above?
Please ignore the cigar tangent. My life has always been filled with these types of mishaps. I don't let them keep me from moving onward. Like going to Hong Kong.
Please ignore the cigar tangent. My life has always been filled with these types of mishaps. I don't let them keep me from moving onward. Like going to Hong Kong.
Jul 4th, 2010, 06:34 PM
#33
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Gpanda, to respond to some of the questions on your post:
1. Sorry to say that September is still part of the rainy season and also typhoon season. But it is all a matter of luck with the weather so what can you do. If you want to be sure of no rain, you need to come in November or December. On the plus side, in the summer months when the weather is good, it is usually spectacular. The summer winds finally shifted last week bringing clear, clear skies (the clearest we have had in at least 3 years if not in my entire 10 years living here. You can see Macau from parts of Hong Kong these days.) The summer winds lasts through about the second week in October. So coming in early October won’t do much in terms of temps and rain. The only possible plus side is that on October 1 there may be fireworks in the harbour for National Day, which are always great to see. Other holidays are September 23 which is the Mid-Autumn festival, actually one of my favourite times here. No fireworks, but lovely lanterns and mooncakes and fire dragon dances in certain temples (e.g. Causeway Bay).
2. Do you mean the Langham Hotel or the Langham Place Hotel? Both are nice luxury hotels. The Langham has a slightly better location, as it is down in TST and nearer to the Star Ferry pier, etc. It’s a block or two east and north of the Salisbury and the Penn. However, to the best of my knowledge, they have no views from their rooms. As I say below, unless you have a view, I don’t get the point of staying in Kowloon. The Langham Place is a very nice luxury hotel which is unfortunately, IMO, handicapped by a bad location. It is 2 miles inland in the Mongkok district, which is light industrial and actually retains some of its former red-light district character (but no crime issues or anything, it is Hong Kong after all). This is why the hotel offers such good deals for a luxury hotel. It is only a marginally interesting location, IMO. There is a small wet/veg market that most tourists have no idea exists, because the awful Ladies Market is about 2 blocks in the other direction where the tourists go in hordes for reasons beyond my understanding. If you stay at the Langham, I think you will spend more time in transit getting to other places than you may want. If you get a room on a very high floor you might have a harbour view. The nicest harbour view is from the spa, IMO. Between those two Langhams, I think I would choose the Langham Hotel, as you could walk to the Star Ferry, the Kowloon esplanade, etc.
3. The Bishop Lei is a much less luxurious hotel in a high-rise neighborhood setting in Mid-Levels on Hong Kong Island. It is walkable to the escalator and numerous good restaurants, and is an easy taxi ride or bus ride down to Central (about 5 minutes, I believe the hotel may run a free shuttle). You can also walk down (or up) to the Peak from the hotel. As noted above, it is near the Botanical Gardens and the small zoo there (you can sometimes hear the orang utans in the morning from your hotel room). I would get the largest room your budget allows, as rooms tend to be small. If you can get something like one of their harbour view suites, that would probably be ideal. The do offer some nice views, IMO.
4. Generally I am just not a fan of staying on the Kowloon side, UNLESS you have a harbour view room at the Penn or the Salisbury YMCA. The Sheraton Towers and Intercon would also work, although there is a large construction site next to the Intercon and partially in front of the Sheraton that may bring noise issues to either hotel (more noise for the Intercon, more unsightliness to the Sheraton). The Shangri-La, also mentioned above, is a very nice luxury hotel which would offer some nice harbour views. My issue with that hotel is that it is just out of the main area and really just out of walkable range to the few areas of Kowloon you would want to go to (other than the excellent Museum of History). If you are considering any of those hotels, my personal order would be Penn, YMCA (value for money), Intercon, Sheraton and then the Shangri-La. But only a harbour view room at any of those. If you don’t have a view, I don’t really see any reason to stay on the Kowloon side, as most tourist sights, and the better restaurants, are on the Hong Kong side or are reachable only from the Hong Kong side (i.e., ferries to outlying islands).
If you can spring for the Mandarin, but all means consider it. Lovely hotel, great service, cannot beat the location. IMO the views from the Bishop Lei will be much better, but otherwise for luxury, service, location, ambience and history it is hard to top the Mandarin. If you are looking at luxury hotels, then also consider the Four Seasons, which has huge rooms, a great pool deck and does offer some good views. It’s walkable to Central and the Hollywood Road/SOHO areas via the escalator.
1. Sorry to say that September is still part of the rainy season and also typhoon season. But it is all a matter of luck with the weather so what can you do. If you want to be sure of no rain, you need to come in November or December. On the plus side, in the summer months when the weather is good, it is usually spectacular. The summer winds finally shifted last week bringing clear, clear skies (the clearest we have had in at least 3 years if not in my entire 10 years living here. You can see Macau from parts of Hong Kong these days.) The summer winds lasts through about the second week in October. So coming in early October won’t do much in terms of temps and rain. The only possible plus side is that on October 1 there may be fireworks in the harbour for National Day, which are always great to see. Other holidays are September 23 which is the Mid-Autumn festival, actually one of my favourite times here. No fireworks, but lovely lanterns and mooncakes and fire dragon dances in certain temples (e.g. Causeway Bay).
2. Do you mean the Langham Hotel or the Langham Place Hotel? Both are nice luxury hotels. The Langham has a slightly better location, as it is down in TST and nearer to the Star Ferry pier, etc. It’s a block or two east and north of the Salisbury and the Penn. However, to the best of my knowledge, they have no views from their rooms. As I say below, unless you have a view, I don’t get the point of staying in Kowloon. The Langham Place is a very nice luxury hotel which is unfortunately, IMO, handicapped by a bad location. It is 2 miles inland in the Mongkok district, which is light industrial and actually retains some of its former red-light district character (but no crime issues or anything, it is Hong Kong after all). This is why the hotel offers such good deals for a luxury hotel. It is only a marginally interesting location, IMO. There is a small wet/veg market that most tourists have no idea exists, because the awful Ladies Market is about 2 blocks in the other direction where the tourists go in hordes for reasons beyond my understanding. If you stay at the Langham, I think you will spend more time in transit getting to other places than you may want. If you get a room on a very high floor you might have a harbour view. The nicest harbour view is from the spa, IMO. Between those two Langhams, I think I would choose the Langham Hotel, as you could walk to the Star Ferry, the Kowloon esplanade, etc.
3. The Bishop Lei is a much less luxurious hotel in a high-rise neighborhood setting in Mid-Levels on Hong Kong Island. It is walkable to the escalator and numerous good restaurants, and is an easy taxi ride or bus ride down to Central (about 5 minutes, I believe the hotel may run a free shuttle). You can also walk down (or up) to the Peak from the hotel. As noted above, it is near the Botanical Gardens and the small zoo there (you can sometimes hear the orang utans in the morning from your hotel room). I would get the largest room your budget allows, as rooms tend to be small. If you can get something like one of their harbour view suites, that would probably be ideal. The do offer some nice views, IMO.
4. Generally I am just not a fan of staying on the Kowloon side, UNLESS you have a harbour view room at the Penn or the Salisbury YMCA. The Sheraton Towers and Intercon would also work, although there is a large construction site next to the Intercon and partially in front of the Sheraton that may bring noise issues to either hotel (more noise for the Intercon, more unsightliness to the Sheraton). The Shangri-La, also mentioned above, is a very nice luxury hotel which would offer some nice harbour views. My issue with that hotel is that it is just out of the main area and really just out of walkable range to the few areas of Kowloon you would want to go to (other than the excellent Museum of History). If you are considering any of those hotels, my personal order would be Penn, YMCA (value for money), Intercon, Sheraton and then the Shangri-La. But only a harbour view room at any of those. If you don’t have a view, I don’t really see any reason to stay on the Kowloon side, as most tourist sights, and the better restaurants, are on the Hong Kong side or are reachable only from the Hong Kong side (i.e., ferries to outlying islands).
If you can spring for the Mandarin, but all means consider it. Lovely hotel, great service, cannot beat the location. IMO the views from the Bishop Lei will be much better, but otherwise for luxury, service, location, ambience and history it is hard to top the Mandarin. If you are looking at luxury hotels, then also consider the Four Seasons, which has huge rooms, a great pool deck and does offer some good views. It’s walkable to Central and the Hollywood Road/SOHO areas via the escalator.
Jul 4th, 2010, 06:39 PM
#34
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I stayed at the Langham in March '09. Nice, but not the Peninsula. Got a great internet deal with breakfast included. The buffet is grand and good, vast western and dim sum choices. Be sure to ask for a remodeled room. No views, but well located: an endless mall (w/lots o' decent restaurants), subway stop and ferries within cigar tossing distance. Plus the usual ubiquitous Chanel/LVuitton/Ferragamo retailers. A good gym and a lap pool. Don't eat there except for breakfast.
For views, you need only walk across the street to the upscale skyscrpaer restaurant Hutong for dinner and the nightly Harbor light show. A bit touristy, overpriced and over-hyped in my book, but the food is mostly good (have their reknowned lamb), and those views are drop dead.
This was a first visit. Next time, I'll stay on Honk Kong Island, which we preferred.
For views, you need only walk across the street to the upscale skyscrpaer restaurant Hutong for dinner and the nightly Harbor light show. A bit touristy, overpriced and over-hyped in my book, but the food is mostly good (have their reknowned lamb), and those views are drop dead.
This was a first visit. Next time, I'll stay on Honk Kong Island, which we preferred.
Jul 4th, 2010, 09:08 PM
#35
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I vote for staying on HK island. I can't understand why so many tourists want a view from Kowloon, did they come to HK to sit in a hotel room? Seriously, in HK you'll be out and about exploring the city. BTW, what's the view on Kowloon of? Ans, Hong Kong. If you stay on the island you'll be closer to many sights of interest to tourists. Having said that if you do deceide to stay on Kowloon public transport options will be good (this is also true if you stay on Hong Kong island).
I would look at the following hotels in Central, the Mandarin Oriental, the Landmark Mandarin or the Four Seasons. The later is next to a large shopping mall and is a bit of a walk to older more interesting areas of Central.
Also, consider Causeway Bay, the Excelsior and the Park Lane are well located hotels in this area.
The location of the Langham Palace is not ideal especially for a first time visitor to HK and I would avoid the hotel simply because of it's location.
I would look at the following hotels in Central, the Mandarin Oriental, the Landmark Mandarin or the Four Seasons. The later is next to a large shopping mall and is a bit of a walk to older more interesting areas of Central.
Also, consider Causeway Bay, the Excelsior and the Park Lane are well located hotels in this area.
The location of the Langham Palace is not ideal especially for a first time visitor to HK and I would avoid the hotel simply because of it's location.
Jul 4th, 2010, 10:48 PM
#36
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Andy, I have stayed on both HK island and Kowloon, i personally think for sheer convenience of te main sites/shops, HK island is better unless you MUST have that view! (but then you can get the star ferry and go and have drinks in Aqua or one of the bars on Kowloon.)
Jul 5th, 2010, 05:03 AM
#37
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I have sat up nights and stared out the window of my room at the IC for 2 hours at a stretch, hypnotized by the <b><color=blue>Pan</color><color=red>aso</color><color=green>nic</color></b> sign. Then again, I have no life.
That said, HK island is certainly a more interesting place to be during the day. on a few occasions where I've stayed in HK for 5 or more nights, I've split my stay: a couple of nights at the IC or Sheraton, the remainder either in Causeway Bay or one of the Pac Place hotels. (I start in TST because I I'm usually spending time at my tailor shop during 2 out of the 1st 3 days, and he's in TST.) I concur w/Cicerone that it's a head-scratcher why people would want to stay in Kowloon unless getting a room with <u>The</u> View.
That said, HK island is certainly a more interesting place to be during the day. on a few occasions where I've stayed in HK for 5 or more nights, I've split my stay: a couple of nights at the IC or Sheraton, the remainder either in Causeway Bay or one of the Pac Place hotels. (I start in TST because I I'm usually spending time at my tailor shop during 2 out of the 1st 3 days, and he's in TST.) I concur w/Cicerone that it's a head-scratcher why people would want to stay in Kowloon unless getting a room with <u>The</u> View.
