Author Topic: Hong Kong Master Thread (Read 406174 times)

high end hobo · « **Reply #1960 on:** December 31, 2017, 02:30:01 PM »

Quote from: mochjas on December 31, 2017, 07:02:07 AM

shangri LA

Thanks any others? specifically one where I can use, or at least earn points at Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, SPG, hilton, as I have status with those

nobiggy · « **Reply #1961 on:** December 31, 2017, 02:32:52 PM »

Quote from: high end hobo on December 31, 2017, 02:30:01 PM

Thanks any others? specifically one where I can use, or at least earn points at Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, SPG, hilton, as I have status with those

I think there is an IHG near Chabad of Kowloon.

zow · « **Reply #1962 on:** December 31, 2017, 02:46:56 PM »

Quote from: high end hobo on December 31, 2017, 02:30:01 PM

Thanks any others? specifically one where I can use, or at least earn points at Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, SPG, hilton, as I have status with those

Lots of options. Hyatt R, two IC’s, Sheraton.
All are in TST.

voldemort · « **Reply #1963 on:** December 31, 2017, 02:48:09 PM »

Quote from: high end hobo on December 31, 2017, 02:30:01 PM

Thanks any others? specifically one where I can use, or at least earn points at Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, SPG, hilton, as I have status with those

Intercontinental Grand Stanford has rooms on low floors. Check if it's nice enough for you.

DTM · « **Reply #1964 on:** January 01, 2018, 09:32:09 AM »

Quote from: DTM on December 01, 2016, 01:15:26 PM

I am planning a trip to Hong Kong as well and booked the Sheraton in Kowloon. Wondering pros and cons of Shabbos meals at KZ vs. Chabad, as well as Shabbos davening. Also, I read that Sheraton is "Shabbos friendly" but wonder how they accommodate. Do they accompany you to your room with a master key?

Post-trip answers to my own questions:
Did not go to Chabad, but KZ meals were excellent, plentiful and tasty. Davening was very nice, albeit a different experience (Sefardi, they say or sing every word); and the Rabbi spoke very well. Used SPG points for Sheraton, but next time we may stay at the ShangriLa , which is next door to KZ and looks nicer. The Sheraton was Shabbos friendly in that you can walk the staircases, and the concierge knows what Shabbos observant guests want, and will have someone accompany you on an elevator or meet you at your room with their master key cards. The rooms are electronic entry, not regular keys. An alternative work around for some is to leave the door unlocked with a "do not distrub" sign (and keep any valuables in the safe).

DTM · « **Reply #1965 on:** January 01, 2018, 10:02:51 AM »

Quote from: DTM on January 06, 2017, 09:03:45 AM

Is the Temple Street Night Market worthwhile?

If you have been, or are going, to any of the markets in mainland China then it pales in comparison. Otherwise, it's good for some cheap souvenirs, don't forget to bargain.

DTM · « **Reply #1966 on:** January 01, 2018, 10:43:28 AM »

Quote from: DTM on March 05, 2017, 12:11:07 PM

Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin, Yangshuo. Where are the best markets? I know of Silk Market in Beijing, which others are good? My wife will be looking for good quality high end name brand imitations.

Post-trip answers to my own questions:
We found the Silk Market in Beijing to be our favorite. Pearl Market there was also good. In Shanghai, the literally underground market near the subway station at the Shanghai Science & Technology Museum is also excellent. When in Hong Kong on the last leg of our trip, at the Keilat Tzion Rabbi's helpful recommendation, we used our Visa for Mainland China to take a 45 minute subway ride from KZ to the Shenzhen Luohu Shopping Center back in Mainland China, which was also very worthwhile.

DTM · « **Reply #1967 on:** January 01, 2018, 10:49:03 AM »

Quote from: DTM on February 02, 2017, 01:28:16 PM

1. Does WhatApp work in Hong Kong/China mainland? If so, can it be used to make free WhatsApp phone calls to WhatsApp contacts to the US?

2. Is WeChat better for this?

3. Planning a 2 week visit to China. Would you recommend a VPN to retrieve Gmail and, if so, which one and why?

Post-trip answers to my own questions:
1. Yes.
2. Yes, especially to communicate with people in China who all seem to use WeChat.
3. We did not use a VPN, and the Gmail seemed to work just fine in most places. Google search was blocked in Mainland China.

davidmal · « **Reply #1968 on:** January 01, 2018, 04:43:53 PM »

Quote from: DTM on January 01, 2018, 10:49:03 AM

Post-trip answers to my own questions:
1. Yes.
2. Yes, especially to communicate with people in China who all seem to use WeChat.
3. We did not use a VPN, and the Gmail seemed to work just fine in most places. Google search was blocked in Mainland China.

Over Wifi in China Hotels I've seen WhatsApp Blocked
but not over China Mobile

zow · « **Reply #1969 on:** January 02, 2018, 09:40:16 AM »

We have 4 nights reserved at the Hyatt Regency TST (15k/night). New devaluation of IHG has me wondering if IC (currently 60k/night) might be a better value. Using Hyatt=$0.015 and IHG=0.05, the nightly rates are $225 and $300, respectively.

I have no status at Hyatt and Platinum (via Chase IHG) at IC.

How much nicer, if at all, is the IC compared with the Hyatt?

Am I more likely to get an upgrade to Harbor View Room at the IC, given my “status” and given that “almost two-thirds of all 503 guest rooms have panoramic harbourviews?”

(Locations are similar and both require elevators on Shabbat.)

Would appreciate your insights. Thanks.

davidmal · « **Reply #1970 on:** January 02, 2018, 09:43:49 AM »

Quote from: zow on January 02, 2018, 09:40:16 AM

We have 4 nights reserved at the Hyatt Regency TST (15k/night). New devaluation of IHG has me wondering if IC (currently 60k/night) might be a better value. Using Hyatt=$0.015 and IHG=0.05, the nightly rates are $225 and $300, respectively.

I have no status at Hyatt and Platinum (via Chase IHG) at IC.

How much nicer, if at all, is the IC compared with the Hyatt?

Am I more likely to get an upgrade to Harbor View Room at the IC, given my “status” and given that “almost two-thirds of all 503 guest rooms have panoramic harbourviews?”

(Locations are similar and both require elevators on Shabbat.)

Would appreciate your insights. Thanks.

I’ve always received a harbor view even without status.

Suite upgrades are harder today.

zow · « **Reply #1971 on:** January 02, 2018, 10:10:22 AM »

Quote from: davidmal on January 02, 2018, 09:43:49 AM

I’ve always received a harbor view even without status.

Suite upgrades are harder today.

Thank you, @davidmal .

Other opinions or data points?

Dave321 · « **Reply #1972 on:** January 02, 2018, 11:18:35 AM »

Quote from: zow on January 02, 2018, 09:40:16 AM

We have 4 nights reserved at the Hyatt Regency TST (15k/night). New devaluation of IHG has me wondering if IC (currently 60k/night) might be a better value. Using Hyatt=$0.015 and IHG=0.05, the nightly rates are $225 and $300, respectively.

I have no status at Hyatt and Platinum (via Chase IHG) at IC.

How much nicer, if at all, is the IC compared with the Hyatt?

Am I more likely to get an upgrade to Harbor View Room at the IC, given my “status” and given that “almost two-thirds of all 503 guest rooms have panoramic harbourviews?”

(Locations are similar and both require elevators on Shabbat.)

Would appreciate your insights. Thanks.

IC is nice and has a nice rooftop pool overlooking the harbor.

zow · « **Reply #1973 on:** January 02, 2018, 11:23:19 AM »

Quote from: Dave321 on January 02, 2018, 11:18:35 AM

IC is nice and has a nice rooftop pool overlooking the harbor.

Thanks. Going next week...not ideal swim season, but we are sure going to try!

high end hobo · « **Reply #1974 on:** January 02, 2018, 01:39:14 PM »

Quote from: mochjas on December 31, 2017, 07:02:07 AM

shangri LA

Thanks

Any other hotels near chabad of Kowloon that have rooms on low floors?

mochjas · « **Reply #1975 on:** January 02, 2018, 02:05:33 PM »

Quote from: high end hobo on January 02, 2018, 01:39:14 PM

Thanks

Any other hotels near chabad of Kowloon that have rooms on low floors?

sheraton

Denverite · « **Reply #1976 on:** January 02, 2018, 10:19:24 PM »

Quote from: high end hobo on January 02, 2018, 01:39:14 PM

Thanks

Any other hotels near chabad of Kowloon that have rooms on low floors?

Not sure about the floors, but in a few weeks we are staying at the Royal Garden Hotel, very close by and I can give details after we return. Has anyone else on here stayed at Royal Garden? I just booked it based on location and price (I had some free hotels.com nights).

as2 · « **Reply #1977 on:** January 04, 2018, 10:50:45 PM »

http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2018/01/04/intercontinental-hong-kong-closing/?utm_sourcemedium=Twitter

davidmal · « **Reply #1978 on:** January 05, 2018, 06:54:01 AM »

Nice article.

Supposedly they are keeping the lobby

They would be insane if they mess the view up

high end hobo · « **Reply #1979 on:** January 05, 2018, 08:50:46 AM »

what date is it closing?

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Author Topic: Hong Kong Master Thread (Read 406174 times)