emtee

I'd like some advice on whether to stay in Kowloon or Hong Kong Island. I've heard the Intercontinental has the best views from Kowloon which is important to us but we would also like easy access to the main sights and nightlife. We also like Mandarin Oriental Hotels and Shangri-la so any views would be helpful and any info on good website deals - we are UK based.

I'm also costing out the holiday myself so I was wondering what is the most efficient and cost effective way of reaching Kowloon from the airport (presuming we opt for the IC). We are looking to travel in either June or September 2005.

rkkwan

If I were staying at the IC, I'll have the hotel arrange a car service to pick me up. Otherwise, it'd be taxi - door to door for about 25 pounds. Those are most efficient way.

If you want to save money, then take the A21 Cityflyer bus. HK$33 (about 2 GBP) - it's going to be pretty slow, but it travels the whole length of Nathan Road, and you can get a good view from the upper level. The bus stop is across Salisbury Road from the IC. I don't know about the progress of the rail work in the area to tell you how easy it is to cross that road right now.

tripgirl

emtee,

there are lots of threads on this subject; i posted one myself not too long ago you could review.

We are going in aug 2005 and after much deliberation, have decided that the IC is for us!

with strong advice to have a room with a view, the IC seemed the best. The hotel's own website is what I will use after reviewing so many others, they offered the most choice and for the best price.

I hope this helps a little; I have not been there yet myself so I have no idea about your transportation needs, but the previous poster seemed to cover that well for you.

If you get there in June before i go, please post your trip report so I will have more information yet to bring with me. And if I go before you; you decide to go in Sept, I will surely post for you so you may have more info!

Happy, happy travels!

cf5657

Take the train from the airport to Kowloon. It's a good compromise between speed and cost. If there are two or more of you that are traveling, buy your tickets from the ticket desk not from the kiosk, becuase you'll get a discount on the tickets when you buy two or more. Also once you get to Kowloon Station there is a free shuttle bus that will take you to most of the major hotels that you can use for buying the train ticket. Hong Kong isn't exactly a huge city (landwise) so I personally don't think it matters which hotel you stay at. You can get anywhere you want via Taxi, Ferry or metro with great ease. Hong Kong is a very walkable place.

xgao

I would suggest use airport express train to get to your hotel. One way ticket costs HK$100. Can't remember how much is the discount for groups. You can then catch a cab after you get off at the Kowloon or Hong Kong Station. Taxi fare in Hong Kong is very cheap (Probably cheaper than New York, nowhere near that in London.)

The areas around Mandarin Oriental are mostly office buildings. For leasure, I think Island Shangri-la might be more interesting as it is right at the Pacific Place.

Walter_Walltotti

The Kowloon Shangri La is also on the Kowloon waterfront. It has some fantastic new rooms that have wonderful views over the harbour. Its a touch cheaper than both the IC and Mandarin.

All 3 hotels are 5 star. In my opinion, the IC is cool chic, the shangri la is more glitzy, and the Mandarin is very understated luxury.

The Airport Express is a very easy method of getting to and from the airport with a free bus service from the downtown terminals to the hotels

emtee

Thanks for your help everyone. Will check out Kowloon Shangri-La and IC. We are going on to Borneo after and staying at the Shangri-La there, so maybe we can get a good deal if we use the SL hotels for the entire holiday.

hobbes

When you buy Airport Express tickets look around and see if any other couples are buying. 100 per head solo comes down to 75 per head for a couple and 62.50 per head for 4 or more. Only from the desk tho as the previous poster mentioned.