High life in Hong Kong

Colin White explores the gateway to Asia and discovers a wealth of opportunity for both leisure and business travellers alike.

Strategically located at the heart of Asia, Hong Kong has long held a fascination for those unable to sate their wanderlust. The city attracts foreigners from all over the world and is an ideal place to conduct business, regarded as one of the freest economies in the world.

Foreign entrepreneurs and business owners are welcomed to develop businesses in Hong Kong. Due to its simple tax structure, developed communications and liberal economic system, the possibility to thrive in Hong Kong is great.

Hong Kong is a city positively teeming with life; a neon environment full of contradiction and excitement. Its array of personalities are equally charming as they are intriguing. Here, a hotchpotch of cultures have entwined to create something quintessential to Hong Kong.

Surrounded by the South China Sea, the territory consists of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and over 200 offshore islands. In the area known as Central on Hong Kong Island, one can promptly sense the affluency. It is also clear that Central is at the heart of the city’s financial sector, with well-heeled expats mixing with tourists and the city’s ‘company men’.

Modern architecture, lavish hotels and indulgent boutiques cater to tourists and Hong Kong’s white-collar workers, while Lan Kwai Fong (LKF) and SoHo offer a wealth of restaurants and bars to choose from.

A pleasing nod to the past is also noticeable, as the city’s trams–affectionately known as ding‑dings to locals–have a history dating back to 1904. These ding-dings help to carry 200,000 passengers through Central every day.

Located above Central on the slope of Victoria Peak, the Mid-Levels is an oasis of calm away from the frenzy for those who can afford it. Superb views, lush vegetation and slightly cooler temperatures make it a much sought-after address.

Victoria Peak (or simply the Peak) is a mountaintop made easily accessible by the Peak Tram, which travels at a 45-degree incline to the elevated area of prosperity–the journey is an experience in itself. Upon arrival at the summit, Hong Kong’s majesty is displayed through stunning views of the one world’s great cityscapes.

The world’s longest outdoor escalator links the Mid-Levels with Central. This truly remarkable construction covers an impressive 800 metres and is as much a part of Hong Kong’s character as the city’s daily light show.

LIMOUSINES AND LAVISHNESS

Across Victoria Harbour to the city’s north lies Kowloon, and over two million Hong Kong residents, making it one of the most densely populated areas on the planet.

However, my next destination is the antithesis of overcrowding–Hong’s Kong’s finest and most well-known hotel: The Peninsula.

An adventure at The Peninsula begins lavishly, as the hotel’s fleet of Rolls-Royce limousines are on hand to transport guests to their temporary lodgings in style.

It’s this kind of attention to detail that has made The Peninsula synonymous with luxury. No stone has been left unturned in the hotel’s mission to provide the utmost care and attention to its guests. Amazingly, the team of pageboys open the large double glass doors in the lobby 3,000 times per day; 900 staff comprising 13 different nationalities and 12 languages are employed at the hotel, representing a staff-to-guest ratio of 3:1.

PENINSULA PERFECTION

The Peninsula is located at the southern tip of the Kowloon Peninsula and is Hong Kong’s oldest hotel, dating back to 1928. As well as offering breathtaking views of the city’s iconic skyline, its position at the heart of Kowloon business, shopping and entertainment makes it an ideal place to explore the richness of Hong Kong.

The city’s highly functional Mass Transit Railway (MTR) subway system is a stone’s throw away, while the nearby Star Ferry offers a magical way to access Hong Kong Island.

The Peninsula is steeped in history and prides itself on the finest traditions of service and hospitality. The Lobby had the world’s first city check-in counter for airlines and today the hotel continues to set standards worldwide.

In 1994, a 30-storey extension was opened to offer modern facilities for guests, whether visiting for business or pleasure. The extension added 132 rooms and suites, making a total of 300. It also included ten floors of office space, shops and a range of hotel facilities (including a swimming pool, sun terrace, fitness centre, spa and meeting rooms).

A ROOM WITH A VIEW

After being shown to one of The Peninsula’s plush guest rooms, visitors can be forgiven for a sharp intake of breath as the cityscape is presented before them, perfectly framed within large pristine windows.

The beauty of the city is instantly noticeable. So too is the grandiose bed and palatial bathroom. The flamboyance of the hotel is perfectly portrayed by a collection of complimentary toiletries conceived by international fashion designer Oscar de la Renta for The Peninsula Hotels around the world, featuring a bespoke fragrance.

Hong Kong is a city positively teeming with life; a neon environment full of contradiction and excitement

There are some quirky touches, too. Freeform art installations are on display and, interestingly, each room is equipped with a portable nail-dryer. This is specifically designed for guests to avoid any inconvenience or delay due to wet nail polish.

It is evident The Peninsula is embracing technological advancements through its in-room services. Interactive digital bedside panels, touch-screen restaurant menus, wireless telephone with VoIP technology and an audio visual centre featuring a flat-screen television all add to the overall experience.

AMAZING AMENITIES

When I’m offered a tour of the grand establishment the following morning by public relations manager Helena Kok, I step into a world off-limits to the majority of visitors.

Helena typifies the quality of staff at The Peninsula. Extremely knowledgeable about all things Hong Kong, her passion for the role is obvious as I’m whisked through a myriad of behind-the-scenes delights: the smell of freshly baked bread from one of the hotel’s many kitchens; handmade chocolate created in true artisanal style; and chefs prepping the day’s numerous lunches.

Also explored are certain quarters usually accessed only by the rich and famous. The Peninsula’s premier suite is located on the 26th floor of the tower, and provides a spacious and luxurious setting for guests.

But, apart from the double-height living room with floor-to-ceiling windows and a landscaped terrace, what does it offer? Well, a ten-seater dining room, kitchen, gym and cinema for starters.

Twin helipads located on the roof of the hotel offer visitors easy access to destinations around the territory. Named after Pan Am’s first flying boat and located on the 30th floor, The China Clipper lounge is a tribute to the glory days of aviation. Usually reserved only for those on an organised ‘flightseeing’ tour, it was a pleasure to get the chance to relax in a very cool bar with such unique character.

If a helicopter flight isn’t your cup of Chinese tea, fret not, as The Peninsula has all the requirements necessary for total relaxation. The Spa occupies two floors and boasts 14 state-of-the-art treatment rooms, making for a perfectly tranquil hideaway.

Or perhaps you’d prefer to spend an afternoon in The Peninsula Fitness Centre’s pool and health club. Located on the eighth floor, the swimming pool is designed in a classical Roman theme. Linked to the pool is a sun terrace and fitness centre, which extends out over the west wing of the original building and features exercise equipment, Jacuzzis, saunas, steam rooms and cold tubs.

For the business traveller there is also a plethora of amenities available. The sixth floor Business Centre provides meeting rooms and communications facilities, including high-definition video conferencing.

The Conference Centre on the same floor offers two spacious conference rooms, accommodating up to 150 for cocktails, 100 theatre-style and 40 for roundtable and boardroom gatherings. Furthermore, The Peninsula offers one large and two smaller banquet and meeting rooms on the Mezzanine floor.

MICHELIN QUALITY

Having been made familiar with the hotel’s amenities, a dim sum lunch awaited at Spring Moon, The Peninsula’s authentic Cantonese restaurant.

Dim sum – my favourite snack during my Hong Kong adventure–is a Chinese dish of small steamed or fried savoury dumplings filled with fish, meat or vegetables, usually served with tea, of which Spring Moon has its own collection of 25 varieties.

The restaurant’s specialities also include its acclaimed XO sauce. The Peninsula was the first hotel in Hong Kong to introduce the sauce, which is made to a secret recipe incorporating ham, scallops and Chinese spices.

In Spring Moon, around 200 boxes of XO sauce are sold per month in addition to the large quantities consumed in the restaurant.

I wasn’t surprised to discover that, just days prior to my visit, Spring Moon had earned its first Michelin star. An extra-special accolade considering it coincided with its 30th anniversary.

The Peninsula is steeped in history and prides itself on the finest traditions of service and hospitality

A FUTURE UNWRITTEN

Hong Kong’s colonial past and the territory’s wranglings with its great neighbour have been well documented in certain quarters of the media in recent times.

As the city’s youth continue to protest and promote a sense of national pride, so too has China’s vice-like grip on Hong Kong tightened. Only recently, Hong Kong’s publishing industry has come under target from China to censor what it deems as sensitive material. Worryingly, Hong Kong publishers have been detained by the Chinese authorities, in some cases abducted and held against their will.

Tensions between the two states has grown since the handover of Hong Kong’s sovereignty to China in 1997. Agitation is rising across mainland China regarding Hong Kong’s political system, culture and language.

Indeed, upon my arrival to the city there are news reports of clashes between thousands of demonstrators and police at a protest against Beijing’s attempts to stop independence activism.

The region’s past may be a quagmire of contradiction and imperialism, but the future of Hong Kong is yet to be written. As the most famous Hongkonger of them all, Bruce Lee, once said, “In the middle of chaos, lies opportunity.”