Disclaimer: The below recommendations are based on the author's own preferences/experience. It is by no way the only way to enjoy Hong Kong but it is to help you further get the Hong Kong Experience. Thank you!
Getting to Hong Kong City:
Upon arrival in Hong Kong International Airport, you have one or more options of getting to the city:
- Privately hired car service/ hotel airport transfer
- Rent-a-car
- Taxi Cab
- Bus
- MTR's Airport Express
- Taxi Cab
- Bus
- Mass Transit Railway (MTR)
- Citygarden Hotel (Fortress Hill MTR)
- Novotel (City Gate Plaza)
- L Hotel (Tin Hau MTR)
- Metro Park Hotel (Tin Hau MTR)
There might be some deals offered and since you are near the shopping places like Causeway Bay/Tin Hau (near Admiralty MTR - where you can get the shuttle to Ocean Park), near the MTR in general for convenience, near the Citygate Outlet mall (and Disney). I know the first hotel has good deals but best to check.I know the rooms at Novotel is big so families might find this is as a good deal. :)
There are also private service apartments ready for rental but these change constantly so you would have to do more research on this.
Shopping Options:
CLOTHS
~ The Musts :
HK side
- Causeway Bay
Island Shopping Centre
Lane Crawford
Times Square - Central
- Wan Chai
- Central
- Sheung Wan
Kowloon side
- Tsim Sha Tsui
- Mongkok
Night Market: Ladies Market, Sai Yung Choi Steet South (Gadget), Temple Street (Men's Market), Bird Garden, Fa Yuen Street (Sneaker Street), Flower Market, Goldfish Market, Tile Street (construction materials), Photocopy Street (books and photocopy centers), Portland Street (de facto red-light district)
Shopping Centres: Mongkok Computer Centre, Sino Centre Arcade, Ho King Shopping Centre, Grand Century Place, Langham Place, Argyle Centre - Prince Edward
Wedding Building - Kowloon
Elements
~ Off-the-beaten path/Outlets
- CityGate Plaza : mass brands and accessories like Laura Ashley (cloths and home), Kate Spade, Lanvin, Alfred Dunhill, Ralph Lauren, Evita Peroni, Esprit (biggest I've ever seen), Michael's (Thomas the Train), Crabtree & Evelyn, awesome food court, etc
- Horizon Plaza (directions, see below): some of the deparmtnet store outlets are Lane Crawford, Joyce while some of the brand names are Moschino, Paul Smith, Blumarine, Maxmara
HOME FURNISHINGS/FURNITURES
- Ap Lei Chau, Horizon Plaza:
By Private Car: From Central, take the Aberdeen Tunnel and drive along Wong Chuk Hang Road and follow signs for Ap Lei Chau. Go straight on Ap Lei Chau Bridge Road and follow signs for Ap Lei Chau West/Industrial Estates straight through two traffic lights then keep in the left lane and bear left on Lee Nam Road. This brings you straight though one traffic light to the back side of the island. Soon you will see Horizon Plaza, turn left in front of the building for the parking entrance on Lee Wing Street. One Hour FREE parking on the 2nd floor.
By Taxi: you can show the below to taxi driver
Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, HK
GADGETS/ELECTRONICS:
- Wan Chai Computer Centre
- Windsor House Computer Centre
Attractions:
Food Tripping Options:
~ The Musts:
- Vietnamese
Rice Paper,locations in Harbor City (Kowloon), World Trade Centre (Causeway Bay) - Cantonese / Dimsum
Lei Garden, locations in North Point and International Financial Centre (IFC) @Central
The Square, The Exchange Building, Central
West Villa, Carolyn Centre (CWB), don't miss the BBQ Pork (special recipe) - Shanghainese
Crystal Jade, various locations around the city
Din Tai Fung, Kowloon - Japanese
Mi Ne Sushi, Pak Sha Road @CWB: conveyor belt sushi
Hip Sushi @World Trade Ctr CWB
Tonkichi Japanese Restaurant: best Tonkatsu's in town; set meals have unlimited rice and veggies @World Trade Ctr CWB - Cafes / High Tea
Agnes b Cafe, locations in Causeway Bay, Central, amp, etc
Four Season's Lobby Lounge for high tea, International Financial Centre (IFC) @Central
Cova, various locations
Mandarin Oriental's Café Causette - Burgers
Mos Burger, beside Jusco Department Store @Tai Koo
Shake 'Em Buns, behind Lee Garden @CWB - Steaks
Lawry's Steak House, Lee Garden @CWB
Steak Expert, various locations even one in CityGate Plaza
Ruth Chris Steak House @Lippo Centre Admiralty - Fine Dining
Spoon by Alain Ducasse @InterContinental Hong Kong
L'Atelier de Joel Robouchon @Landmark Central
Pierre @Mandarin Oriental Central
Peking Garden @Alexandra House Central
- Porkchop Veggie Rice: Delicious Kitchen, Causeway Bay
- Food stalls around the area of Causeway Bay, Mongkok, etc (don't worry - these are under regular sanitation checks by the government)
- Curry Beef Noodles: Kau Kee
- Soupy Tomato: across Kau Kee, if the lines are too long, you can go across (make-shift tables and roofs with one mobile kitchen - awesome harty tomato soup with noodles or macaroni, with various toppings, etc; must also try their condensed milk with butter toast)
