Milliemoo

Hi,

We arrive in HK on Sunday, will be met at the airport, and hope to be checked into our hotel by 19.00.

We have a fun packed and busy 2 days on the Mon & Tue, so had originally planned to just chill out at the Pen on our 1st night. I was just thinking though that maybe we might want a quick look around and possibly a bite to eat ??? We're eating at Felix on the Mon night, so wouldn't necessarily want to stay in the hotel to eat.

Any sugesstions for a quick walk and nice bite to eat close to the Pen ? We'd have Octopus Cards sorted, so jumping on the MTR for a quick trip somewhere would be feasible.

Or should we just chill out by the hotel pool? Apparently it has a fab view.

Thanks

Milliemoo

Kathie

No doubt, you'll want to walk along the Promenade. There are plenty of restaurants in the area. You could just let something catch your eye.

rkkwan

I don't think the InterContinental across the street will mind your business. There's a lobby lounge if you're not too hungry, and there's a coffee shop in the lower level. Both with great harborview.

If you feel more adventurous, then take the MTR to go to Mong Kok (3 stops up), or take bus #2 or #6 from the Star Ferry that goes up Nathan Road.

rhkkmk

the penn is right in the middle of things....you can walk out from it and walk along the water...take a ride on the star express boats to HK island and back....do some shopping along nathan road or in the general area...you will not lack for things to do....

make sure when at felix that you go into the bathroom....especially the mens.....you will see.....

Walter_Walltotti

Perhaps eat in the hotel or The intercontinental take a walk along teh promenade (as others have suggested) ...and then perhaps take a quick trip across to central and back on the star ferry -do 1st class there and 2nd class back- takes about 10 mins and costs about 20p (35c) each way

Milliemoo

Thanks for the replys!

Milliemoo

Photographer

If you hang around the hotel, you're insane! You're in Hong Kong! Put on comfy shoes and do Star Ferry at least twice each way. It's only about 8 minutes each way, but what an 8 minute ride. The best you've ever had. And don't shy away from 2nd class, it's neat being right on the water if it's not too rough. Walk Nathan Road, both sides from it's beginning at Salisbury Road up at least ten blocks, up and back. By time you finish, you'll have had the opportunity to buy just about every counterfit watch made within a hundred miles. The storefronts are fun and you get a sense for how BUSY Hong Kong is. If you want to skip Nathan Road then try wandering around the night market in Yua Ma Tai, just north of Jordon Road and a little east of Nathan. Great residential neighborhood to explore. You could easily spend an hour walking through the market, it's great people watching. The Star Ferry trip would kill an hour if you did it each way twice. And walking Nathan could also take at least an hour with all the window shopping and people watching. Just please don't chill out at the pool. This is Hong Kong and you've only got two days.

Photographer

Sorry, make that west of Nathan Road for the night market. I got turned around because I usually come into the market from the north when I stay up around Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok, my favorite area to stay in.

rkkwan

The night market that Photographer mentions is the Temple St. Market, which is indeed West of Nathan Road (three short blocks), and north of Jordan Road.

Another night market is the Ladies' Market. It's in Mongkok, 2 blocks east of Nathan Road. If you take the MTR, get out at the "Bank Center" exit and walk 1.5 blocks straight. Tonnes of people there.

MTR is easy to use, and so are the buses. Just remember #2 and #6. It goes from Star Ferry straight up Nathan Road, basically the same route as the MTR.

Milliemoo

Great tips, thanks everyone!

Milliemoo

DonTopaz

There used to be a laser-light show at 8pm nightly for people on the promenade. Whether or not it still exists, the promenade at night is probably the most fantastic cityscape on earth.

If you haven't been to HK before, the lights along Nathan Road and its side streets are also jaw-dropping. Hong Kong is a safe city, so I'd suggest that you enjoy strolling and discovering.

(For a 1st night in HK, the Night Market might be a bit intense ... but then again, that's what HK is all about.)

Cicerone

Dinner at the Harbourside Restaurant at the Intercon is a good suggestion. It is about a 2 block walk to the hotel, and the views from their huge windows are wonderful. You generally do not need a reservation, but you could have the Penn call ahead if you want, esp for a window seat. It is casual, they have a very large buffet or a set menu of western and Asian dishes. A walk along the esplanade before or after is a good idea as well, the harbour light show still occurs each night at 8 pm, but the best view of this may actually be from your room.

Alternatively, as I recall from your earlier posts that you planned to go to the Peak during the day, you might want to make an evening trip over on your first night, as seeing it at night is very different. You could take the Star Ferry over, which is always fun and a great view at all times of day and night, hop on the double decker shuttle bus which will take you to the Peak Tram, and then take the tram up to the top. Walk around a bit, esp the Lugard Road walk, a flat walk with excellent views. There are two restaurants at the top if you wanted to have dinner, one with a great view and good food, one with no view but very good food and a lovely outdoor dining area. Neither are fancy nor especially expensive (not like Felix), at Café Deco you could just have a few appetizers rather than a big meal which you may not want on your first night. If you want a window seat at Deco or an outdoor seat at the Peak Lookout (both of which I would highly recommend), have the Penn call and make a reservation. Both would be good for lunch on your day trip up as well.

Café Deco
Peak Galleria
118 Peak Road
Tel: 852.2849 5111
http://www.cafedecogroup.com/cafed/v_deco.asp

Peak Lookout
121 Peak Rd
Tel: 852/2849 1000

(IMO the best way to appreciate views from the Peak is to go just before dusk and stay through sunset, to see the harbour go from full light to dark is the best way to really appreciate it, but you should see it at day and at night in any event).

FYI, right now the weather forecast is for rain and some winds for Sunday (assuming you mean this Sunday), but of course this is usually wrong. You might want to wait to see what it is like when you get here to make final plans.

Peteralan

Good suggestions above. Do NOT stay put in the hotel in that fabulous city!!! A walk along the promenade and that view from the Intercontinental ( either inside or outside ) is sensational. Then a trip on the Star Ferry across the harbour and up to the Peak for a magnificent view of the lights of Hong Kong will be a great introduction and make you wish you were staying longer! Enjoy!

hobbes

I don't know that I'd be up to coming to HK Island my first night - esp when Kowloon side has some fab restaurants. Wander down to One Peking Road - its walkable - which has some of my fav HK restaurants - for fusion CHinese ijn an amazing setting with great decor try Hutong. Or for Jap or Italian try Aqua Roma or Aqua Tokyo. Start your evening either way with a drink at Aqua. Get your concierge to book - all 3 are very popular. They are on the 29th and 30th room and the view beats most hotel rooms.