Travel for Business: Hong Kong

One of my favorite cities in the world is Hong Kong. I’ve traveled through this global hub many times throughout my career, and have come to think of it as one of my “home bases.” I’ve stayed in several different hotels around the city, but my very favorite is The Prince Hotel by Marco Polo Hotels. It’s easy to walk there from the China Ferry Terminal and their rooms are comfortable and inviting. They always have an cheeseburger waiting for me after multiple weeks of being away from home, along with a nice cold beer. Best of all, from their location, it’s easy to walk throughout the city and explore anything you could ever wish to do.

From gardens to high end shopping and some of the best restaurants in the world, Hong Kong is a diverse and amazing city to visit. Some of my favorite spots in Hong Kong, in no particular order:

Kowloon Park Chinese Gardens

• As soon as you enter the gardens, you immediately feel like you’re in a different place. The surrounding city sounds and concrete greys are replaced with bird calls and lush greenery all around you. Their aviary is spectacular to visit and they often have amazing sculptures and art throughout the area.

Lane Crawford Department Store

• There is something about this beautifully merchandised department store that draws me inside every single time I pass it. From designer shoes to clothes and home furnishings, it seems to hold all of your high end shopping needs in a single location. While I am often too intimidated to walk into designer stores with security guards all over the place and lines around the block, Lane Crawford always makes me feel comfortable and welcomed. I’ve spent more time and a bit more money there than I’d like to admit. It is also spectacular at Christmas, with its elaborate decorations.

Harbour City Shopping Mall

• For a different kind of shopping, the Harbour City Shopping Mall has some of the most eclectic stores throughout its vast corridors. Where else would you find a travel bag that has bunny and elephant shaped cupcakes on it? My favorite purchase here was a small zippered pouch keychain that holds my work flash drives. The front has a drawing of a cat dressed as a banana on it. Amazing.

Temple Street Market

• If you’re looking to search the jade market for a good luck charm or for small souvenirs for your friends and family, head to the Temple Street Market for thousands of choices. If you’re up for it, this is where you can practice your negotiation skills and barter a bit with the local merchants. Make sure you remain respectful and fair if you choose to do this though, as bartering too much for a good luck charm may remove all of its power.

Urban Coffee Roasters

• This place is hard to find every time I go to Hong Kong, but it’s worth the search. The location on Bristol Avenue is very unassuming, and I walk past it once or twice every time I head their way. Their eggs benedict dishes are something I refuse to miss whenever I visit the city, and their coffee is outstanding. Breakfast or lunch at this location is highly recommended.

The InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong Hotel

• I’ve never stayed at this InterCon Hotel in Hong Kong, but this is a spot I’ve frequented with coworkers for pre-dinner drinks many times. Their bar serves some of the best drinks in the city (that I’ve experienced at least!) and we’ve celebrated many successful work trips with a clinking of glasses in this location. Beautiful views from the high rise windows at night make it a must see spot.

The Symphony of Lights

• Every night at 8:00pm, the city of Hong Kong turns on all of its lights and a spectacular show begins. From either side of the harbor, you can watch the skyscrapers project color throughout the dark sky as if they were at a dance party. Something not to be missed if you’ve never been to the city before.

The Big Buddha

• Last but not least, my most favorite experience I’ve ever had in Hong Kong was when we visited the Big Buddha statue. Made entirely out of bronze, the enormous statue weighs 250 tons and sits 112 feet tall (while he’s sitting down!) A small museum is there to explore, and the journey to the location alone is an adventure to treasure forever. Photos don’t do it justice, so I highly recommend a visit to this spot in person to really feel its enormity. Every single step is worth the climb!! There are 268 of them.